Le Monde | • Updated | By
An old game like the world. – almost – and could already prove decisive. Argentina and Uruguay square off tonight (1 h 30 French time) in the second match of Group B of the Copa America 2015. A classic of South American football, the first chapter is written in 1901.
Before the start of the competition, the balance of power between the “Albiceleste” Lionel Messi and “Celeste” of Edinson Cavani seemed unbalanced. For its entry into the South American tournament, Uruguay has not really reassured. Deprived of star striker Luis Suarez – suspended for biting the shoulder Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup – Uruguay’s team appeared worn and tired, struggling to overcome the most modest of Jamaica narrowest of margins (1-0).
“This team can and should play better” , warned her Oscar Tabarez, the coach of Uruguay. Defending champion Celeste faces many changes since the Copa America 2011. The defender Martin Caceres (Juventus Turin) is injured and former captain Diego Lugano (95 selections) and striker Diego Forlan (112 caps , 36 goals) have retired from international
To Read. Luis Suarez, the recidivist Celeste
Meanwhile, Argentina posted a record of six wins and two losses since its World Cup final lost against Germany (1-0), in July 2014. Lionel Messi, captain of the selection, even declared that his team stood at the Copa America “fitter” at the Brazilian World.
Too trusting, perhaps, the Albiceleste missed his first game of the Copa America with a game draw (2-2) conceded against Paraguay surprise finalist last year. The Argentines had however started ideally meet on the way to the locker room at halftime with two goals by Messi and Aguero. In the second half the spaces are open, Argentina lost physically walk while Paraguayans rebelled. They equalized in the dying seconds of the game through Lucas Barrios, on loan at Liverpool this season.
Back to the wall, the men of “Tata” Martino no longer have a choice. They must win their next duel against the Celeste and clear doubts. Argentina-Uruguay poster is often explosive, sometimes muscular, and always removed. In the duel between these two intimate enemy, Argentina has a wide lead: 82 victories against 54 for Uruguay and 44 draws
These two nations are the most decorated of the Copa America, with 14 titles for Argentina and 15 for Uruguay. The last duel between the two intimate enemies back to the 2011 edition of the competition, in the quarterfinals, where Celeste won after penalty shoot on goal (1-1, 5-4 tab), before lift the cup final. The tournament was held on Argentine soil, enough to give a hand to the air duel tonight. “This will be a knife drawn match” , has prophesied the Uruguayan captain Diego Godin.
“We are aware that it’s a game we must win “, insisted the quadruple Golden Ball Lionel Messi. The latter – out of a fantastic season with FC Barcelona, who won the league and Spanish Cup and the Champions League – wants to lead his country to a major title that has eluded them since 1993 and victory in the Copa America …
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