As runners up at last summer’s World Cup, Argentina will certainly feel confident heading into this summer’s Copa America. La Albiceleste return 14 of the 23 players they took to Brazil, and the scary thing is that this Argentina team may be better.
The nucleus of the team is pretty much the same. Sergio Romero remains in goal with Mariano Andujar deputizing. The defense also returns familiar faces Ezequiel Garay, Marcos Rojo, Pablo Zabaleta and Martin Demichelis. Similar to the defensive situation, the midfield and attack are also extremely similar in terms of player selection. Fernando Gago, Lucas Biglia, Angel Di Maria and Javier Mascherano remain while the potent attacking quartet of Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero and Ezequiel Lavezzi make their returns.
What makes the team dangerous is that they’ve taken that quality and pedigree and added some standout performers to the mix. Carlos Tevez reestablished himself with Juventus as one of the world’s most dangerous strikers and is now back in the national team fold. Other additions to the team include Nicolas Otamendi, coming off a strong season with Valencia in Spain, and Ever Banega, who won Man of the Match honors in the Europa League Final for Sevilla. As if that wasn’t enough, the Argentines also welcomed Javier Pastore and Erik Lamela back into the fold, fresh off of solid seasons with PSG and Tottenham, respectively.
La Albiceleste’s team for the Copa America is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Sampdoria - ITA), Mariano Andujar (Napoli - ITA), Nahuel Guzman (UANL - MEX).
Defenders: Ezequiel Garay (Zenit Saint Petersburg- RUS), Nicolas Otamendi (Valencia – ESP), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City - ENG), Facundo Roncaglia (Genoa - ITA), Martin Demichelis (Manchester City - ENG), Milton Casco (Newell’s Old Boys - ARG), Marcos Rojo (Manchester United - ENG).
Midfielders: Roberto Pereyra (Juventus - ITA), Fernando Gago (Boca Juniors - ARG), Lucas Biglia (Lazio - ITA), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona – ESP), Angel Di Maria (Manchester United - ENG), Erik Lamela (Tottenham - ENG), Ever Banega (Sevilla - ESP), Javier Pastore (Paris Saint Germain - FRA).
Forwards: Carlos Tevez (Juventus – ITA), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli - ITA), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City - ENG), Lionel Messi (Barcelona – ESP), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint Germain – FRA).
Group Outlook
Argentina have drawn a favorable group in their quest for claiming a fifteenth Copa America crown, which would tie them with holders Uruguay for the most all-time. The Argentines will face Uruguay, Paraguay and Jamaica in Group B.
Given the quality in Gerardo Martino’s side, this should be a relatively easy group. Uruguay, perhaps the biggest early challenge to Messi and Co., will be adjusting to temporary life without the suspended Luis Suarez, as well as permanent life without the retired Diego Forlan. The Uruguayans will also be without core players Martin Caceres, Walter Gargano and Diego Lugano. Safe to say the Copa America holders won’t be the tournament force the world is used to.
Joining the two South American powers in the group are Paraguay and Jamaica.
The former finished at the bottom of the CONMEBOL standings in terms of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup and a whopping 20 points off Argentina. On the other hand, the latter finished last in the final round of World Cup qualifying in CONCACAF with a mere five points from 10 games played. If you have trouble winnings games against Honduras and Panama, you’re going to be in for a long night against the likes of Messi, Tevez and Aguero.
Knowing this, it’s probably not too outrageous to say there’s a chance each of Argentina’s forwards (Tevez, Higuain, Aguero, Messi and Lavezzi) notch a goal or an assist each in the group stages.
Recent Form
Since the World Cup, Argentina has shown inconsistent form. After losing to Germany, they beat the Germans 4-2 in Dusseldorf before falling to Brazil in the 2014 Superclasico de las Americas 2-0 in China. Other games late in 2014 included a 7-0 thrashing of Hong Kong, a 2-1 win versus Croatia in London and a 1-0 defeat to Portugal in Manchester.
The only games the team has played in 2015 have been friendlies. The Argentines beat El Salvador (2-0) and Ecuador (2-1) in friendlies that took place in Maryland and New Jersey, respectively. They also demolished Bolivia 5-0 in a warm-up friendly for the Copa America on Saturday.
History
During the last Copa America in 2011, Argentina hosted and finished a disappointing seventh. La Albiceleste finished second to Colombia in their group and lost to eventual champion Uruguay on penalties in the quarterfinals. While 2011 was a disappointment, Argentina has a history of going deep in the competition. In addition to 14 wins, the Argentines have finished runners-up a record 12 times with four third-place finishes and two fourth-place finishes.
Prediction
While Argentina are bringing an improved squad to the tournament, others will be somewhat weakened. Brazil are in the midst of ushering in a new wave of younger talent, and are without a large portion of the team that participated in the World Cup like veterans Julio Cesar, Dani Alves, Dante and Hernanes. Also missing for the Brazilians are Oscar, Diego Alves, Marcelo and Luiz Gustavo. Argentina’s main competition for the title may come from Chile and Colombia. Of the 23 players the Chileans brought to the tournament, only five have fewer than 20 caps. Two of those 20 are reserve goalkeepers likely never to take the field thanks to Claudio Bravo’s presence. Similar to Argentina, Colombia has a bevy of attacking players. James Rodriguez, Carlos Bacca, Juan Cuadrado, Radamel Falcao and Jackson Martinez will all don the national team shirts for the tournament. However, despite Chile and Colombia’s talent, expect Argentina to enter the tournament as favorites and ultimately win the competition.
All stats courtesy of http://www.whoscored.com/ unless otherwise noted.