Paraguay and Costa Rica will kick off the second match of the Copa America Centenario on Saturday evening at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida with only one objective for both nations: win.
Both sides ready than never before
The Paraguayan national team has not lost their opening match in a Copa America since 1975 against Colombia. Since then, 14 editions of the tournament have passed and they have been undefeated since in their opening match. That streak might continue to 15 if they can snatch up a win against Costa Rica.
Having been pitted in a group with the likes of Los Ticos, Colombia and the hosts, the United States in Group A, it’s clear to say why this group was dubbed the ‘’Group of Death’’ by various fans and pundits around when the draw was made last February. The absolute necessity to try to win the first match is clearly the objective for La Albirroja, but also for Los Ticos, who will be back in the Copa America for the first time since 2011.
Standstill History
In the conformations against the South American and Central American nation, it’s all divided. Both stand at three wins, two draws, and three losses respectively against each other, with this being the most important match between the two nations since the 2004 Copa America in Peru, also a match played in the group stage that was won by the Paraguayans by a score of 1-0.
Ironically as well, Paraguay manager Ramon Diaz debuts in the tournament against the country that he made his managerial debut for La Albirroja back in March of last year, that ended in a scoreless draw in Costa Rica.
The South Americans need to play smart
Ramon Diaz has stated various times to allow his team to be calm and composed but smart as well, especially in the midfield. In a 4-4-2 formation that is expected to be used by El Pelado, they’ll be relying on trying to handle the attacking style of play and mainly be set up on counter attacks and set plays. Players such as Derlis Gonzalez and Oscar Romero will be influential of going forward while distributing several plays to the two strikers up front, but also look to test Patrick Pemberton, the replacement of Keylor Navas in goal. The stingy defense as well will be very important with players such as Paulo Da Silva being an important leader on the pitch.
The key player for La Albirroja will most certainly have to be Dario Lezcano. A striker with a lot of strength and dangerous onto goal, he’s the one that the Costa Rican defense will have to stop completely and deny him from achieving various opportunities onto goal. In a side filled with youth, the Paraguayans will need to play at the highest possible level needed to pick up the three points.
Never an underdog
The Costa Ricans have demonstrated that they are a tough and rigid side, which earned them their reputation as one of the strongest teams in the CONCACAF region. However, a lot of pressure will be placed on the aforementioned Pemebeton, who replaces the Real Madrid goalkeeper for Los Ticos. The reason of that will be because of the reliance that has been made on Navas and his demonstrations for club and country to prove why he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Now, the Alajuelense goalkeeper will need this game, or games, of his life in order to see Costa Rica achieve their dream of winning a maiden Copa America.
Looking into the attack, the experienced Bryan Ruiz and Celso Borges as well as players such as Álvaro Saborío and Joel Campbell will provide a lot of tests for the Paraguayan defense and their goalkeeper, Justo Villar. Catching them on the break and given the speed of the players, such as Campbell, might be the man that La Albirroja need to stop. Should they fail to do that, then the surprise side from the 2014 FIFA World Cup are looking to make the first big step to advance to the knockout stage.