Copa America 2011

[wavydavy]

No, it was the 'humble pie' comment i had an issue with - implying that Lucas was always this good and some people just wouldnt admit it, or something.

When most of the 'humble pie eaters' were criticising his game, he WAS poor.

Yeah. He got stick cos he was ****. Not very good use of the old "humble pie" phrase on my part. Large slice of humble pie for me. By the way wtf is humble pie?

[Mostar]

Poor, poor showing by Brazil.

Their midfield is so bad they just couldn't connect with nobody upfront.

Except Pato hitting the post they didn't create any chances.

[Craig_H]

I havent got a clue what it is. Is it the thing you get when you answer a pie question right on Trivial Pursuit?

This tournament is reminding me of the World Cup, the **** teams are so scared to lose, that it's leading to anti-football, in the name of earning points. Only 3 goals in 3 games so far and 16 cards

Mexico only have their U21 squad there too, so i dont see them offering much.

It's now down to Uruguay and the usually-exciting Chile to show something.

[Arn]

I havent got a clue what it is. Is it the thing you get when you answer a pie question right on Trivial Pursuit?

This tournament is reminding me of the World Cup, the **** teams are so scared to lose, that it's leading to anti-football, in the name of earning points. Only 3 goals in 3 games so far and 16 cards

Mexico only have their U21 squad there too, so i dont see them offering much.

It's now down to Uruguay and the usually-exciting Chile to show something.

Chile at least have an excellent tactician as manager. You can be sure that he have a plan B and a plan C if he needs it. Look at Brazil and Argentina. No plan B at all. The war between the Argentine FA and Bielsa of course means that he will most probably never be the manager of Argentina again.

[Chris]

Neymar was crap but he's probably knackered. Santos play about a zillion games a year.

[Mr Darko]

Well, quite surprising there's only been 3 goals scored in the 3 games considering Arg & Brazil played. After their poor performances the odds for Uruguay winning the tournament have been slashed

Whilst to be fair I haven't seen much of Neymar playing for Santos - he doesn't look that great to me, also seems to dive far too much and I never did understand the wankfest over him after the Scotland game - his poor diving is on par with Nani's.

[Craig_H]

Paraguay v Ecuador, 60 mins gone, still 0-0 zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

[ChesterDave]

85 minutes gone and still zip all

[Craig_H]

Tournament has been utter ****e so far.

[lickedlollipop]

brazil

[Craig_H]

I'm really hoping that Uruguay and Chile liven things up, otherwise it's going to be a dreadful opening week.

[Mattimetal]

No, but if you say so. Messi plays in front of Xavi & Iniesta for Barça where he is lethal getting the ball near the box and dribbling in or in the box and finishing. For Argentina he picks the ball up at the half way line and runs at defenders.

I have to disagree on that one I'm afraid. I've seen him pick the ball up from the halfway line for Barca plenty of times. Other times he's on the right wing, then again he's also in the whole (as you pointed out).

In most cases the reason why he has to track back to get the ball from the halfway line for Arg, is because he's not getting the service. Messi has never been classed as a striker. He's more a midfielder-come striker.

In the WC he was deployed in the hole - that's why Veron was picked for distribution. When he couldn't distribute Diego had to change things but he only played Messi in that position against the Greeks. You also have to realise that he is a creator as well as goal scorer, hence his roaming role.

[Mike]

Looks like this girl just wants to get her kit off, first it was the World Cup, now its the Copa America!! Come on Paraguay

You beauty! Model Riquelme vows to strip if Paraguay win the Copa America



Paraguayan beauty Larissa Riquelme has promised to strip naked if the team win the Copa America.
The South American model made similar claims at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but to no avail with her nation being dumped out by eventual winners Spain in the quarter-finals.
This time, Riquelme will be hoping that Gerrardo Martino's side can repeat their 1999 triumph when they beat Brazil 3-0 on home soil.
Paraguay are in Group B alongside Brazil, Venezuela and Ecuador, against whom they notched a 0-0 draw in their opening match.
Current champions Brazil were held to a goalless draw with Venezuela face Riquelme's beloved side next Saturday.

[BrooklynRed]

In most cases the reason why he has to track back to get the ball from the halfway line for Arg, is because he's not getting the service.

I think this is the key point upon which we agree. In Spain, Messi has players behind him who are incredible at getting him the ball in dangerous positions. Every time he picks up the ball deep for Argentina, he has no one to bring the ball to who will get it forward creatively. Except for Messi himself, the Argentina midfield is a real problem. I don't argue he is not an out an out striker, but he should be receiving the ball in dangerous positions near the box; instead, Tevez, Levezzi et al are gobbling up all of those chances. So, I think he is being used the wrong way, and i think Maradona did the same thing, especially because his team selection in other areas was so poor, the whole game lands on messi's shoulders. Which makes it easy to foul him away from the box, etc etc.

Anyway, he's not getting service is a point I 100% agree on. Not sure how Argentina can fix it without a playmaking midfielder.

[kop-al-74]

Any streams for the Uruguay game tonight?