Copa America 2011 - Quarter Final Preview

The 2011 Copa America has finally reached the knock out stages with the 8 best sides in the competition left. Let's have a look at the 4 quarter final match ups.

Colombia v Peru (16 July 2011, 20:00 BST)

Falcao

The first quarter final clash sees Group A winners, Colombia, going up against a side who have thus far only scored to go in the tournament, Peru. Colombia's victory over Bolivia in their final group game 6 days ago saw then end up finishing ahead of Argentina, because of a brace from star striker Falcao. Colombia have at times looked impressive in particular the spine of their side has put them in good stead. Mario Yepes (CB, Milan) has marshalled the defence well in particular silencing the Argentine front line in Sante Fe.  Freddy Guarin (CM, Porto) has been a true box to box midfielder protecting his defence and then swiftly joining the attack where Radamel Falcao (S, Porto) have been putting them away.

Peru have progressed from Group C as one of the two best third placed sides with 4 points and 2 goals scored and 2 conceded. A win in their opening game against Uruguay was an impressive result especially having taken the lead but a defeat to Chile brought the side back down to earth. The side depends heavily on front man Paolo Guerrero (Hamburg) with him having scored both of their goals and Juan Manual Vargas (M, Fiorentina) with Vargas being the main supply line for Guerrero.

One would expect Colombia to possess too much for their neighbours from the South and progress through to the semi-finals. The Peruvian defence will simply struggle to cope with Falcao and Guarin coming from deep and expect the former to add to his tally of goals in this Copa.

Argentina v Uruguay (16 July 2011 23:15 BST)
Undoubtedly the game of the quarters sees two of the big three in South America clash in Sante Fe. Argentina have struggled so far in the competition with a victory in their last group game against Costa Rica guaranteeing their progress into the knockout stages. Early attempts to try and replicate the Barcelona approach with Messi playing as the faux number 9 with Tevez and Levezzi either side of him failed. Both looked hugely out of form whilst the three in midfield simply lacked the creativity of Xavi and Iniesta. Coach Sergio Batista adopted a 4-2-3-1 approach with Messi, flanked by Aguero and Di Maria, playing behind Higuain andthe hosts coasted to 3-0 victory. Expect the same side against Uruguay.

Kun Aguero

Uruguay's campaign has mirrored that of Argentina's with the side requiring a victory against Mexico in their final Group C game to guarantee progress. The sluggish start saw them draw 1-1 with Peru, a saw in which they had to come from behind with a goal from Suarez. The loss of Cavani who has come off a fantastic season with Napoli in Italy has forced Oscar Tabarez to adopt a change in formation from 3 to 2 upfront; 4-3-3 to 4-2-2-. If Uruguay are to progress through to the semis much will depend on skipper and centre half Lugao to keep tabs on Higuain and Messi.

With both teams really struggling to find themselves, the match could go anyway. It would appear however whether by hook or by crook that Batista has stumbled upon an approach which works far better than his previous notion of a 4-3-3 and the lack of Cavani is a massive loss to the Uruguayans and therefore the hosts should progress....just. 

Brazil v Paraguay (17 July 2011, 20:00 BST)

Neymar

The nature of the Copa America is such that the side finishing 1st and 3rd Group B will go head to head in La Plata. When the sides clashed on the 9th July, Brazil had to come from behind with an 89th minute goal from Fred to snatch a point. The defending champions have looked poor with a 2 draws and a win and conceding 2 in the victory over Ecuador. The addition of Maicon at right back instead of Dani Alves made a massive change to the side posing a greater threat going forward supplying Neymar and Pato in particular. Thiago Silva looks set to miss out with an injury but with David Luiz to call on, Mano Menezes should not have too many concerns with the side.

Paraguay qualified for the quarters without a single win; 3 draws in their 3 games depending largely on an injury prone Santa Cruz and a returning Barrios (the striker was shot in the head in a nightclub before last years World Cup). Gerardo Martino lines up with a traditional formation of 4-4-2 with Santa Cruz and Barrios lining up front but the quality of service provided to the pair has been poor for the majority of the competition.

It is difficult to see anything but a Brazil win especially with Paraguay facing concerns as to the fitness of Santa Cruz. Maicon and Ganso linked up beautifully in the previous game to supply the front 3 of Neymar, Pato and Robinho and therefore Brazil should be comfortable winners in this clash.

Chile v Venezuela (17 July 2011, 23:15 BST)
The final quarter final clash sees Chile going up against Venezuela in San Juan. Chile qualified ahead of Uruguay in Group C with 2 wins and a draw, putting in a couple of impressive displays. Adopting a unique 3-3-1-3, the Chileans are particularly impressive going forward with the likes of Sanchez, Suazo and Jimenez. Vidal provides a genuinely top notch box to box midfielder who is also a real leader. The stand out player in the side is clearly Sanchez, a fantastic player with the ability to player anywhere in the front 3 contributing with assists and goals but it is the team ethic of the side which is most impressive.

Sanchez

Venezuela qualified second in Group B with the same number of points as Group winners Brazil (5) but a poorer goal difference. Adopting a traditional 4-4-2 the side do not possess any of the big names that the majority of other side in the Copa do but rather is made up of a collection of steady professionals from across Europe and South America. Captain Juan Arango will be providing the attacking threat down the left looking to supply the forwards and use all of his experience, 90+ caps, to his advantage.

Venezuela are certainly a better side than one would think just looking at them on paper. They possess a work ethic and team spirit which has treated them well this far. Chile however should prove to be a step too far with the quality that they possess going forward in Sanchez and Vidal in particular.