Copa America – Opening Group Matches

A predictable crescendo of derision, cynicism and arrogance has greeted Brazil and Argentina’s respective failures to win their opening games of the 2011 Copa America. ‘Argentina did everything the wrong way’ (Argentina hizo todo al revés) roars La Nacion of Buenos Aires, ‘Brazil repeat Argentine disappointment only drawing with Venezuela’ (Brasil repete decepção argentina e só empata com a Venezuela) offers Brazil’s Gazeta Esportiva with an unwittingly patronising tone. In fairness, the latter, at least have the grace to dedicate a minimal amount of time to praising the sheer determination of the Venezuelan resistance.

The main focus in Argentina appears to be on the way coach Sergio Batista is perceived to be trying to put round pegs into square holes upfront (Tevez and Messi particularly). Aside from that they are quick to remind Batista of his praise of Barcelona’s style and formation, and the fact that Argentina, unsurprisingly with a rather workmanlike midfield of Mascherano, Banega and Cambiasso seem unable to replicate the masterly conjuring of Iniesta and Xavi.

Moving away from the bitter cynicism and disappointment felt in the traditional cradle of South American football, can we take any positives from the low-scoring start to the Copa America? Colombia were barely convincing in seeing off a young Costa Rica side, and much-fancied Uruguay laboured to a draw with Peru, at times looking incompetent and only saved, in an otherwise lacklustre showing, by their excellent front-line producing a fine goal on the stroke of half-time.

Illustrious Italian football journalist Gianni Brera reportedly once espoused the theory that ‘the perfect game of football would end 0-0’. Outside the homeland of ‘catenaccio’, in countries where football and entertainment are not such estranged cousins, there would be very few sympathisers with this perspective I suspect, though there is a certain degree of truth to his assertion.

Though it doesn’t enthral the television audience, and correspond to our sub-conscious concept of a good game of football, it would surely be remiss to not say something positive about the art of defending and the professional and disciplined manner in which both Bolivia and Venezuela held their ground against their top quality opposition. Great defensive play is rarely remembered in the annals of football history, and I’m sure this will be no exception. After all, who would think about debating, Beckenbauer vs Baresi, for example, in a ‘world’s greatest ever player’ debate, instead of the oft-mentioned Pele vs Maradona debate? Maybe it’s for the best that this is the case as I, after all, don’t subscribe to the Brera way of thinking.

Anyway, huge credit has to go to Bolivia and Venezuela, without exceptions or excuses. Particularly to Bolivia, whose few successes, including a 6-1 demolition of Argentina in the run-up to the South Africa World Cup, are frequently belittled on the grounds that they can only play at high altitude.

In Group C, one side that has lived up to pre-tournament expectations is Chile, who showed patience and guile to eventually overturn an early deficit against an inexperienced but resolute young Mexican side. Knowing the consequences of losing the first game in such a group situation, they simply continued to play their game without altering their style, and reaped the rewards. This bodes well for the pressure games in the knockout stages, when cool heads are so important.