Copa America 2019: Samba or Tango?

Hello folks and welcome to Brazil for the 2019 Copa America! As you know my season with Vauxhall Motors ended in glory as we won the Premier League for the second time in a row and also managed to get our hands on the FA Cup and this time I had a special pre-season since I had to lead Argentina to glory in the Copa America. I tried to stay as focused as possible in the middle of all the transfer rumors and negotiations and I can tell you that the tournament was quite spectacular. Let’s see how it went.

Before moving on to the actual game let me introduce the 23 men that I had selected for the Copa America, you can see each player’s profile by clicking his name. As you can notice veterans like Javier Mascherano or Carlos Tevez were not included but I did call up quite a few experienced players including 32-year old captain Lionel Messi. It’s also worth noting that three Vauxhall players were included in the squad but there was no favouritism, they deserved it :)

Goalkeepers

Oscar Ustari, Sergio Romero, Nicolas Gamboa

Full backs

Sergio Garcia, Osvaldo Rufino, Fernando Pereyra

Centre backs

Nicolas Otamendi, Guillermo Burdisso, Leonel Galeano, Javier Godoy

Central midfielders

Cesar Basualdo, Marcos Fernandez, Javier Pastore, Ever Banega

Wingers

Leandro Velasco, Juan Pablo Yavar, Diego Perotti, Angel Di Maria, German Pacheco, Lionel Messi

Strikers

Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Araujo

Although I didn’t see him as a starting line up man Lionel Messi was the leader of the group, the team captain and surely our media icon.

I won’t present the group matches in detail, the group was fairly easy with Colombia, Peru and Paraguay and I was quite sure that we would qualify to the quarter finals. The first game was supposed to be the most difficult, against Colombia, but we cruised past them. Left winger Juan Pablo Yavar broke the deadlock with a fabulous goal, then substitute Angel Di Maria headed one home (with traditional suspicions of handball), Javier Pastore banged one in from 25 yards and Gonzalo Higuain closed the account with a shot that hit both the crossbar and the post before going into the net. Colombia scored a consolation goal on their only shot on target but that didn’t rescue their head coach, he was sacked immediately after the game! I guess he should be happy that he didn’t get shot before getting sacked… (Click here to watch the highlights.)

Next up we eased past Peru, central midfielder Cesar Basualdo opened the scoring with a phenomenal goal and then striker Sergio Aguero finally scored his first goal of the tournament to wrap things up. We were qualified for the quarter final with a game to spare. (Click here to watch the highlights.)

With qualification already secured I sent in a weakened eleven against Venezuela, although I can’t really say that the usual reserves are much weaker than the first team regulars. Striker Sergio Araujo made the most out of the opportunity as he scored two goals and created one for left winger German Pacheco while Javier Pastore scored again from the edge of the area. Unfortunately we were hit by injuries: full back Fernando Pereyra was going to be out between 4 and 5 weeks and Sergio Araujo between 3 and 4 weeks, the tournament was over for both players. (Click here to watch the highlights.)

The only teams with an 100% record at the end of the group stage were not too difficult to guess: Argentina and Brazil. I forgot to say that the Brazilian team was also including no less than five Vauxhall players: goalkeeper Luis Guilherme, left winger Tiago, midfielder Indio and strikers Zé Carlos and Parana!

We were going to play Ecuador in the quarter final, not the most difficult opponent by any means but we still had to remain focused as there was no room for error at that stage of the tournament.

Ecuador vs Argentina (Copa America Quarter Final)

Venue: Morumbi, Sao Paulo

Attendance: 73,500

Starting line up: Oscar Ustari — Sergio Garcia, Nicolas Otamendi, Guillermo Burdisso, Osvaldo Rufino — Leandro Velasco, Marcos Fernandez, Ever Banega, Juan Pablo Yavar — Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain

Team Talk: For the fans!

And the players were as focused as always, we got off to a flying start as we managed to break the deadlock inside the first minute of play when a fine team move saw Ever Banega playing an exquisite through ball for Juan Pablo Yavar who stabbed home. Four minutes later it was 2-0, Sergio Aguero passed inside the box to Gonzalo Higuain who found the back of the net with a fantastic finish. Our domination continued but Ecuador punished us on their first real attack of the game. I was not too worried though, the team was looking great. In fact, we created a few more chances before centre back Guillermo Burdisso nodded home on a Yavar free kick cross.

Half time score: 1-3

Half time team talk: Pleased.

Half time substitutions: Javier Godoy for Rufino, Javier Pastore for Banega, German Pacheco for Yavar

The game became easier on 56 minutes as one of the Ecuadoran centre backs got sent off for a professional foul on Aguero, at that point I instructed the players to take a breather and spare their energy for the semi final. That didn’t do us too much good though, central midfielder Marcos Fernandez got injured and we had to finish the game with 10 men. However, we did manage to score a fourth and it was Motorman Leandro Velasco who scored his first ever goal for Argentina after receiving a good pass from Aguero. Unfortunately Fernandez was going to be out for two weeks so the Copa America was over for him.

Full time team talk: Well done!

Man of the match: Sergio Aguero

Flop of the match: Osvaldo Rufino

Match Stats

Video Highlights

Click here to watch the highlights.

We were going to meet Uruguay in the semi final as they won on penalties against Chile while Brazil cruised past Peru courtesy of a brace from… Zé Carlos!

Argentina vs Uruguay (Copa America Semi Final)

Venue: Maracana, Rio de Janeiro

Attendance: 76,000

Starting line up: Oscar Ustari — Sergio Garcia, Nicolas Otamendi, Leonel Galeano, Osvaldo Rufino — Leandro Velasco, Ever Banega, Cesar Basualdo, Juan Pablo Yavar — Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain

Team Talk: For the fans!

This game was not much different to the previous one, we started dominating from the very first minute and finally broke the deadlock on 25 minutes when Gonzalo Higuain banged one in. The pressure on Uruguay‘s defense continued and Higuain managed to double his tally with a powerful finish in the 37th minute. The game seemed to be quite easy, Uruguay were unwilling or afraid to attack.

Half time score: 2-0

Half time team talk: Pleased.

Half time substitutions: Javier Pastore for Banega, Lionel Messi for Aguero, Angel Di Maria for Higuain

The second half was totally under control, I asked the players to take it easy again and they played it perfectly as Uruguay didn’t see much of the ball in the last 45 minutes. They did pull one back five minutes from time but I wasn’t too worried, our opponents were left wanting the ball but not getting it until the final whistle. I decided not to give the players a team-talk at the end of the game, I left them with their own thoughts before the big final.

Full time team talk: none

Man of the match: Gonzalo Higuain

Flop of the match: Angel Di Maria

Match Stats

Video Highlights

Click here to watch the highlights.

As you might expect the final was going to be against Brazil, they beat Mexico 2-0 with Zé Carlos and Pato getting their names on the score sheet. Read all about the big final in the next page, all I can say is that it was an extremely spectacular game. ;)

Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.

I just remembered that I forgot to introduce my tactics. Well, don’t get too excited: I’m using the very same 4-4-2 that took Vauxhall from Blue Square North to the Premier League, you can still download it from here. That said, take a look at Brazil’s eleven: Neymar wasn’t there but the quality of the players was amazing, from the well-known goalie to the very well-known Vauxhall Motors striker… They also had Parana on the bench.

My main concern was that I only had two fit central midfielders but I had a plan: send in Lionel Messi in the second half as an attacking midfielder to create panic in the Brazilian defense. Brace yourselves, here comes the final in the usual «real-time» presentation ;)

Argentina vs Brazil (Copa America Final)

Venue: Maracana, Rio de Janeiro

Attendance: 76,000

Starting line up: Oscar Ustari — Sergio Garcia, Nicolas Otamendi, Guillermo Burdisso, Javier Godoy — Leandro Velasco, Javier Pastore, Ever Banega, Juan Pablo Yavar — Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain

Team Talk: For the fans!

5th minute — Guillermo Burdisso gets a header in on a corner kick, it’s going toward the net… but Zé Carlos clears it off the line! Oh come on lad, you know I’m your manager…

6th minute — Left back Javier Godoy makes a daring run, he’s at the edge of the area… Shoots… tipped over the bar!

7th minute — Burdisso gets in another corner kick header… wide…

8th minute — first shot for Brazil, Robson unleashes a fine volley from the edge of the area but Ustari dives and holds on to the ball.

12th minute — Brazil are coming forward, Pato crosses into the box and Ze Carlos nods it… just over…

13th minute — Amazing run from Ze Carlos, he weaves past the defense and shoots… great save by Ustari who diverts the ball behind for a corner kick.

14th minute — We’re on a counter attack, Leandro Velasco is clean through… but Luis Guilherme denies him with a sensational save!

15th minute — Fine move from my lads, Ever Banega plays it in for Juan Pablo Yavar, he’s unmarked inside the penalty area… but the shot goes wide! That was a huge chance…

16th minute — We’re on a quick counter attack again, Sergio Aguero is behind the defense with only the goalkeeper to beat… he lobs from 20 yards… it’s past the keeper… but hits the post! Ohhh, that should have gone in…

33rd minute — Good move from Brazil, Andre shoots over the bar from a very good position inside the area.

41st minute — Burdisso dominates in the air again on a corner kick, the header is good but the goalkeeper pulls off another good save. And he launches the ball quickly for the counter attack, Andre is clean through but shoots well wide from the edge of the area.

43rd minute — Aguero tries his luck from 20 yards… just wide…

45th minute — Fine move from Brazil, Pato is unmarked but he fires wide from 18 yards.

Now that’s what I call an action-packed first half! :)

Half time score: 0-0

Half time team talk: For the fans!

Half time substitutions: Diego Perotti for Velasco, Angel Di Maria for Yavar

Half time stats

We dominated the first half and had no less than 4 clear cut chances, we should have been leading at half time but we were quite unlucky not to score especially on Aguero‘s lob. Anyway, I decided to change both wingers at the break as they were quite tired, I thought that some fresh legs on the wings were going to make a big difference.

47th minute — Another corner kick header from Burdisso… but this time Pato is the one who clears it off the line…

48th minute — Left back Godoy plays a beautiful back heel pass for Di Maria, the left winger quickly crosses it low for Higuain… and he slides it home at the near post! 1-0! (click here to open the video)

51st minute — Substitute right winger Diego Perotti makes a horrible tackle in midfield… That was totally uncalled for… And it’s a red card! Damn, I shouldn’t have sent him in… My plan was undone, I had to send in Lionel Messi for Banega but my tactic was not a 4-4-2 anymore, it was a 4-3-2 with one central midfielder and two wingers.

53rd minute — Robson fires a fierce free kick shot from 30 yards but Ustari pushes it away.

54th minute — Great move from my boys, Lionel Messi receives the ball and he’s unmarked at six yards… Straight at the keeper! You should have scored from there Leo…

55th minute — Throw-in for Brazil, it’s quite long and it finds Paulo Henrique inside the area… Otamendi‘s marking is terrible, he’s nowhere near the Brazilian player… who powers it in, 1-1… (click here to open the video)

62nd minute — Di Maria tries his luck from an acute angle, great shot but brilliant save from Luis Guilherme…The following corner kick is taken by Messi, Burdisso heads it on across the area to Aguero who nods… into the side netting…

64th minute — Another throw-in creates panic in my defense, there is a player unmarked again who shoots… Ustari parries it but it falls to Ze Carlos… who bangs it in! Oh no, I’m getting beaten by my own players! (click here to open the video)

66th minute — Messi whips in a corner kick, Burdisso manages to get the header in again but the goalkeeper tips it over the bar.

73rd minute — Pato breaks through on a counter attack… but he is stopped by a brilliant Oscar Ustari.

76th minute — Parana was sent in for Brazil and he tries his luck from the edge of the area… tipped over the bar.

83rd minute — Brilliant pass from Messi to Di Maria inside the penalty area… He’s clean through, only the goalkeeper to beat… Huge save from Luis Guilherme… Come on Luis, remember that we’re going to meet at Vauxhall Stadium, who’s your boss?

87th minute — Paulo Henrique has to leave the field because of an injury, Brazil had already made all three substitutions so they are down to 10 men too!

88th minute — Lionel Messi curls in a free kick cross… Otamendi is unmarked inside the six yard box… and heads home! Get in! (click here to open the video)

90th minute + 4 — Deep into stoppage time, Aguero unleashes a great shot but the goalkeeper does it again, immense save… The game is going to extra time.

90 minutes score: 2-2

90 minutes team talk: For the fans!

90 minutes stats

Extra time

99th minute — Di Maria bends in a corner kick, Burdisso reaches the ball first again… but Parana clears off the line!

100th minute — Higuain makes an unbelievable two-footed tackle from behind! Oh no, why did you do that? The referee prepares to show a card… and it’s a red one, we’re down to 9 men and a 4-3-1 tactic…

101st minute — Di Maria makes a great run, he enters the penalty area… but the shot is weak and the goalkeeper easily holds it.

103rd minute — Marcelo makes another foul on Messi and he’s already booked! Come on ref, you know he deserves it! Yes, it’s a second yellow and Brazil are down to 9 men too!

105th minute + 2 — We’re into stoppage time in extra time… Leo Messi plays a great pass for Aguero… he shoots from the edge of the area, it’s going toward the bottom corner… but the goalie pulls off an incredible fingertip save…

105th minute + 3 — Messi bends in the corner kick… Burdisso jumps high again… and heads home! Yes, finally! Get in! (click here to open the video)

— half time in extra time —

106th minute — Fine move from my boys, Pastore plays it through the defense for Di Maria who shoots first time from just inside the area… but it comes back off the upright!

110th minute — Messi displays his skills again, he cuts inside from the right flank and shoots from the edge of the area… parried by the goalkeeper and then cleared out of danger…

117th minute — Sensational run from Di Maria, he crossed from the left flank to Pastore inside the area… he meets it with a diving header… superb goal! Amazing, fantastic, boombastic! :) (click here to open the video)

Man of the match: Lionel Messi

Flop of the match: Diego Perotti

Match Stats

Video Highlights

video

We won the Copa America and I can say that we deserved it as we proved to be the better team throughout the tournament. Lionel Messi was decisive in the final even though he lacks pace these days he still is a fabulous player.

That’s how it was folks, a fabulous tournament I must say as I enjoyed every minute of it. My next goal with Argentina is to win the World Cup in 2022, I will surely miss the likes of Messi or Di Maria by then but there are a few good youngsters that could step up until then. I did make some transfers for Vauxhall too between two games in South America, stay tuned for that post ;)