Argentina versus Bolivia – Match Preview: Copa America 2011
The host nation takes on the continental minnows in the opening match of Copa America as Argentina take on Bolivia in an attempt to kick off Copa America in style, thus let’s take a look at both the teams and their chances of doing well in this opening encounter...
Argentina
As the host nation, Argentina have a lot of expectations riding on their backs. The South American giants failed to live up to these expectations at FIFA 2010 World Cup under Diego Maradona’s guidance but now they have a new coach which is bound to have an effect on the team. Under Sergio Romero, Argentina have turned into a compact unit which plays to their advantage given the abundance of talent that they have on the offensive front.
However it is at the back that Argentina will have problems in Copa America. Their defence is led by aging Javier Zanetti who will take the field alongside the likes of Gabriel Heinze and Gabriel Milito. Walter Samuel will also be integral to Argentina’s defensive plans if they want to win the trophy on their home turf. Against Bolivia, Argentina will undoubtedly take the field as favourites but whether or now they live up to that billing is something that only time will tell.
Bolivia
Bolivia have never been a top footballing nation in South America and now they have been tasked with facing off against Argentina in the opening match of Copa America 2011. It will be a tough proposition for a team which has always lived under the shadow of Brazil and Argentina along with Uruguay in South America football. Bolivian footballers will take the field on 1st of July, 2011 under nervous circumstances but anything but a defeat to Argentina will be seen as a triumph back home. It will be interesting to see Bolivia will look to contain the Argentinean attack.
In their previous meetings with the Argentinean national team, Bolivia have appeared to be quite a handful. They inflicted a massively humiliating defeat on Diego Maradona’s men when both the teams took on each other in FIFA World Cup qualification in April of 2009 when Bolivia ended up as 6-1 winners on the night. Before that Argentina scored an easy win over the underdogs in 2007 as the men in blue and white won by three goals to nil.
Team News
Sergio Batista has already confirmed that Carlos Tevez will start for Argentina. Lionel Messi is also expected to feature in the starting line up along with the likes of Javier Mascherano and Ever Banega.
Expected Argentina line up: Romero, Zanetti, Milito, Burdisso, Rojo, Cambiasso, Mascherano, Banega, Lavezzi, Tevez, Messi
Bolivia have no new injury troubles ahead of their Copa America opener against Argentina. They will bank on the likes of Marcelo Martins to fire them through to an unexpected result against the might of the host nation in their own backyard.
Expected Bolivia line up: Arias; Raldes, Alvarez, Rivero, Gutierrez, Vaca, Flores, Robles, Campos, Rojas, Martins
Prediction
Argentina are the favourites to win this one, anything other than a win for them will probably work in favour of Bolivia who have a zero chance of qualifying for the group stages as things stand in Group A. It will be interesting to see if Argentina give a run out to Javier Pastore or Sergio Aguero.
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