2021 Copa América
- Thread starter Titans Bastard
- Start date
What a game last night. Peru came out in a shape different from what they've used all tourney and they were under fire for the entire first half. Brazil threatened repeatedly but only scored when Ney beat 3 defenders in the box and centered for Paqueta who finished nicely. Gareca made a couple of subs at the half to get Peru back into their normal shape and Peru dominated the second half. They created a handful of great chances but Brazil escaped with a 1-0 win.
Argentina-Colombia tonight will likely be a stodgy affair unless there's an early goal. Colombia seem to play a 442 with a double pivot, so I'd expect that Scaloni will try to create some overloads on the wings to pull apart Colombia's defense. That will presumably leave some space behind Argentina's FBs for Colombia's wide mids to exploit, so I get the feeling that the match will hinge on how well both sides can keep balance. If Colombia do set up in this way, it should allow Argentina to control the MF with a numerical advantage but if Colombia set up deep, it could set them up for the counter.
I'm pretty sure I won't get to watch this match since I'm in Tampa and we're expecting TS Elsa to start hitting in earnest around 8pm. We'll see what happens. VAMOS ARGENTINA!
Argentina-Colombia tonight will likely be a stodgy affair unless there's an early goal. Colombia seem to play a 442 with a double pivot, so I'd expect that Scaloni will try to create some overloads on the wings to pull apart Colombia's defense. That will presumably leave some space behind Argentina's FBs for Colombia's wide mids to exploit, so I get the feeling that the match will hinge on how well both sides can keep balance. If Colombia do set up in this way, it should allow Argentina to control the MF with a numerical advantage but if Colombia set up deep, it could set them up for the counter.
I'm pretty sure I won't get to watch this match since I'm in Tampa and we're expecting TS Elsa to start hitting in earnest around 8pm. We'll see what happens. VAMOS ARGENTINA!
Watching the Euros in the morning and the Copa at night, the difference is jarring. The Copa is so much more physical, the refs allow the players to really beat the crap out of each other as long as there's some "attempt" to play the ball (i.e. you don't go full Jesus). The pitches also seem much worse.
Conmebol seems to be at a something of a nadir right now. Brazil and Argentina are both good but can't really compare to their best editions, while the second tier of Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, etc. has really fallen off from where it was 5-10 years ago without anyone new emerging from that pack.
Conmebol seems to be at a something of a nadir right now. Brazil and Argentina are both good but can't really compare to their best editions, while the second tier of Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, etc. has really fallen off from where it was 5-10 years ago without anyone new emerging from that pack.
With all off Columbia forward for a corner, keeper botches coming out, yet Barrios saves off the line. Wow. Gift not opened by Argentina.
Colombia have on balance been the better team. Argentina can't handle their pressing and have really struggled to build up through midfield, they don't have the right structure in possession. That said, Lautaro could easily have a hat trick.
Di Maria has made a big difference since coming on as another dribbler who can beat the press.
Di Maria has made a big difference since coming on as another dribbler who can beat the press.
Also we're at 39 combined fouls and six yellows 82 minutes in, and the six yellows have been conservative, there could easily have been twice as many.
Since I posted this five minutes ago, we've had three more bookings. No idea how we're still 11v11.
di Maria should have shot it immediately instead of passing.
As a Spurs fan, I have no idea how Messi is going right at Sanchez and not scoring.
Even so, with no extra time it's still an obvious tactical foul to take.
Agree. And as physical as the game was, it was relatively "clean" -- there weren't a lot of dirty/reckless tackles with intent to injure or flopping. But there were a lot of tactical fouls, and every time there was a 50/50 both guys went in full bore.
Martinez has been outstanding. He's gotten the right read on all three.
Meanwhile, either Ospina is guessing (and guessing wrong) or Argentina's takers are a lot more deceptive in their run-up.
Meanwhile, either Ospina is guessing (and guessing wrong) or Argentina's takers are a lot more deceptive in their run-up.
Whew! What a match last night! As has been Argentina's MO this tourney, they played an excellent first half with a significant drop-off in the second half. GLC's ball into Messi for the goal was incredible and so far Lautaro looks just good enough to be the striker for this squad (i.e. he's not filling his pants quite as much as Higuain), even though he could've ended this match prior to the pens. Luis Diaz had an outstanding match for Colombia and his goal was sublime. He also put a sombrero on most of the Argentina squad and generally was just tooling on them.
Scaloni's selection of Gonzalez once again looks stupid to me, as he's a master of none. IOW, Argentina have better defensive options (Acuna) and offensive options (Di Maria, Papu, A Correa, J Correa) at that spot. Rodriguez starting over Paredes also raised some eyebrows but those 2 are much closer than the dropoff from Gonzalez. Otamendi continuing to start also baffles, with Lopez on the bench. RB is starting to look like a weak spot as Molina was good-not great in the first half but curiously came off for Montiel in the second half. Montiel was pretty brutal in the in the second half, getting beat behind by Diaz for the goal, having other danger come down his side, and picking up a yellow. Molina would be my pick for the XI against Brazil but I want to know why he came off.
CONMEBOL recently announced that Gabi Jesus is suspended for the Final for his karate kick in the QF. Hard to argue with that. Not sure who else may be suspended for this match. Pezzella, Montiel, Rodriguez, and GLC all picked up yellows in the semis for Argentina, and only Vinicius for Brazil.
Scaloni's selection of Gonzalez once again looks stupid to me, as he's a master of none. IOW, Argentina have better defensive options (Acuna) and offensive options (Di Maria, Papu, A Correa, J Correa) at that spot. Rodriguez starting over Paredes also raised some eyebrows but those 2 are much closer than the dropoff from Gonzalez. Otamendi continuing to start also baffles, with Lopez on the bench. RB is starting to look like a weak spot as Molina was good-not great in the first half but curiously came off for Montiel in the second half. Montiel was pretty brutal in the in the second half, getting beat behind by Diaz for the goal, having other danger come down his side, and picking up a yellow. Molina would be my pick for the XI against Brazil but I want to know why he came off.
CONMEBOL recently announced that Gabi Jesus is suspended for the Final for his karate kick in the QF. Hard to argue with that. Not sure who else may be suspended for this match. Pezzella, Montiel, Rodriguez, and GLC all picked up yellows in the semis for Argentina, and only Vinicius for Brazil.
The final kicks off in 10 minutes and no posts since Wednesday!
Give CONMEBOL some love, people.
Give CONMEBOL some love, people.
Seriously this should be a really good and fun match. Messi playing like he wants this one badly.
I'll be watching off my DVR after I get the kids down for bed, so unfortunately will not be game threading live.
I traditionally prefer Brazil to Argentina but not today. Above all, I want goals. Please no 0-0 or 1-0.