2015 Copa America Preview

Only 1 day to go until the 44th edition of the predictably unpredictable Copa America gets under way at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago and the hype is building. The competition can be a springboard to stardom for a select few and players have been flocking to their various training camps across Chile to begin their preparation for what is likely to be a gripping tournament spanning 23 days and 8 cities across the spine of South America. Here is what we could be looking forward to, both on the football pitch, and on FUT.

The reigning champions: Uruguay

Obviously the big talking point surrounding the 2011 winners Uruguay will be whether they can repeat the trick without Luis Suarez, who is of course suspended from competitive international duty after biting Giorgio Chiellini almost 12 months ago now at the World Cup in Brazil. They therefore will be heavily reliant on fellow front man Edinson Cavani, who scored 31 goals in 43 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain last season, but can be hit and miss. Other players that will have to be on the top of their game include the Atletico Madrid defensive pairing of the experienced Diego Godin and youngster Jose Gimenez; another youngster to look out for in a Uruguayan shirt is Diego Rolan, who’s had a fantastic breakout season for Bordeaux in France.

Predicted Finish: Quarter Finals

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The hosts: Chile

Home advantage in South America is huge, absolutely huge, and Chile will be looking to utilise theirs to the maximum. As we saw at the World Cup, perhaps not always in the most positive of ways, Chilean fans are hugely passionate and the support they offer their men will be vast (and noisy). As for the football on the pitch, I can see Chile doing very well; they have the easiest of the 3 groups, plus, if Brazil and Argentina win their respective groups, there’s no chance of Chile meeting either until the final. Their squad isn’t exactly bad either – Claudio Bravo has had a fantastic treble winning season at Barcelona and Arturo Vidal and Juventus won yet another Serie A title and made it to the Champions League final; he’ll also be fit for the Copa America, unlike he was for the World Cup. Eduardo Vargas and Alexis Sanchez had contrasting seasons in British football. The former, Edu, had a disappointing season on loan at QPR and will be looking to make amends for a frustrating 9-10 months with some better performances for his country, performances which he often delivers. As for Alexis? What needs to be said that hasn’t already been said; an outstanding first two thirds of the season for Arsenal, tailed off slightly, but his quality is undeniable and I personally believe he’ll either be top scorer or player of the tournament.

Predicted Finish: Runners up

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The favourites: Brazil, Argentina & Colombia

All 3 of these nations endured terribly disappointing Copa Americas in 2011 as none managed to make it past the quarter final stage, yet I believe all 3 will make it to at least the semi finals this time around. Brazil have their hopes pinned perhaps unfairly one on one; Neymar. Neymar, in my opinion, is the best big game player in the world and I have no doubt that he’ll have a good Copa America, but enough to win it? I’m not so sure. Aided by fellow young guns in what is a relatively new(ish) look Brazil squad such as Danilo, Philippe Coutinho, Felipe Anderson and Roberto Firmino to name a few, I reckon they’ll come close, but won’t quite be good enough.

Argentina however, I believe have every quality required to win the tournament. They have the grit to make it through tough tests when called upon, as they proved in the World Cup. It might not be pretty, but a win in knockout football is just that. We all know what Lionel Messi is capable of, I don’t even need to elaborate and whether he performs to his Barcelona standards or not I’m not going to go into at the moment, but an attack of Angel di Maria, Messi, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain, even if 2 of the 4 are on song, should be able to cause havoc. They’ve also got their warrior Javier Mascherano in midfield, who is another that had a fantastic World Cup and to aid him, they’ve got an ever solidifying back 4. Nicolas Otamendi was arguably the best centre back in Spain last season, Ezequiel Garay had a great World Cup, as did Marcos Rojo and Pablo Zabaleta is a proven right back at the highest level.

Colombia also have a squad packed full of talent and are another nation who entertained us all at the World Cup, not just with their dancing skills. James Rodriguez needs no introduction having been the breakout player at the World Cup last year, I still remember his strike against Uruguay to the day and he’ll be looking to replicate such a performance at the Copa America. His partner in crime is often Juan Cuadrado, who hasn’t really had a look in since joining Chelsea, but will be looking to impress and pick up where he left off from his time at Fiorentina. Whereas Radamel Falcao hasn’t had the greatest past 12 months, but his potential strike partner Teofilo Gutierrez certainly has done. He’s won the Argentinian Primera Division as well as the Copa Sudamericana, the South American equivalent of the Europa League, and was also rewarded with the accolade of being named South American Player of the Year for 2014.

Brazil’s Predicted Finish: 3rd place

Argentina’s Predicted Finish: Winners

Colombia’s Predicted Finish: 4th place

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Don’t rule them out: Mexico, Ecuador & Paraguay

Mexico would be taking the Copa America slightly more seriously if they didn’t have the Gold Cup to worry about; Andres Guardado, Giovani dos Santos, Javier Hernandez and Carlos Vela have all been chosen for the Gold Cup instead. The Copa America squad therefore consists more so of home based players and up-and-coming youngsters, including Carlos Salcedo, Tecatito Corona and Raul Jimenez. However the squad does by no means lack experience or quality as veterans Rafael Marquez, Matias Vuoso and Jesus Corona have also been included.

Ecuador did far from disgrace themselves at the World Cup and would probably have made it through the group stage if it weren’t for the Swiss’ late winner in their opening match and key figures from that campaign will remain at the forefront of Ecuador’s bid to surprise a few in this Copa America. Enner Valencia, of Pachuca at the time but since sealed himself a move to West Ham, was excellent at the World Cup and will be looking to continue his from that tournament into this one. Another Ecuadorian who recently joined British football was Jefferson Montero who, on his day, has the ability to turn any fullback in the world inside-out; shame his crossing ability can be very erratic.

Paraguay famously made it all the way to the final in 2011 without winning a single game, a feat I believe they’ll find it almost impossible to repeat this time out. However, I believe they will make it out of their group as one of two nations in third place with the highest points. Derlis Gonzalez scored goals against both Porto and Real Madrid last season and will be looking to impress potential suitors in Chile and if Paraguay are to attempt to reach a later stage than the quarter final, their goalkeeper Justo Villar, who is no stranger to Chile as he plays for Colo Colo, will have to be on top of his game.

Mexico’s Predicted Finish: Quarter finals

Ecuador’s Predicted Finish: Quarter finals

Paraguay’s Predicted Finish: Quarter finals

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And the rest…?

Not really to be ruled out either. Peru made it all the way the semifinals in 2011, with Flamengo’s Paolo Guerrero as the tournaments top scorer, and under new management in the form of Ricardo Gareca, they could easily surprise a few including myself. Winger Jefferson Farfan will also be key to Peru’s success if there is to be any; his season at Schalke was marred by injury and he failed to register a single goal or assist in his 9 appearances, however he still has potential to cause defenders problems. Venezuela likewise made it all the way to the semifinals before falling to Paraguay at the semifinals and like Peru, they could surprise a few. Salomon Rondon had a good season for Zenit St. Petersburg in Russia, and they’ll also be a threat from set pieces thanks to Juan Arango’s dead ball skills.

As for Jamaica and Bolivia, well, they’ll be pleased to claim a point in any of the group matches. That being said, both nations do offer some form of threat. There are numerous recognisable names from Engish football in the Jamaican squad, as well as Darren Mattocks, who has a good record at international level. The Bolivian national side however consists of far less recognisable names; striker Marcelo Moreno, who has spent time at Wigan, Shakhtar Donetsk and Werder Bremen, probably the most recognisable name to most.

Peru’s Predicted Finish: Group stage

Venezuela’s Predicted Finish: Group stage

Jamaica’s Predicted Finish: Group stage

Bolivia’s Predicted Finish: Group stage

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Presumably EA will be releasing MOTM items as they did with the AFCON cup of nations earlier in the year for the Copa America so I’d expect to see them hitting FUT over the coming days. We may even be treated to a full Team of the Tournament, who knows about that, all I know is there’s plenty to look forward to both on and off the football pitch!

#PACKPARTY

@Rawrdrigoo