COPA AMÉRICA 2011
SEBASTIAN PÉREZ FERREIRO
June 16, 2011
WITH A TICKET TO THE 2013 CONFEDERATIONS CUP ON THE LINE AND A CHANCE TO SEE STARS SUCH AS LIONEL MESSI, DANI ALVES AND DIEGO FORLAN, THE COPA AMÉRICA (JULY 1--24) WILL BE THE BEST INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION OF THE YEAR
Team by Team FORECAST
GROUP A
ARGENTINA
UNDER new manager Sergio Batista, the hosts will try to end an 18-year title drought by mimicking Barcelona's possession game with an all-star cast led by Messi. Indeed, the Albicelestes had best not give up the ball—their defense has yet to fully recover from its 4--0 thrashing by Germany in the World Cup quarterfinals.
PREDICTION Group winner
COLOMBIA
WITH a budding superstar (Porto's Falcao) and a competent supporting cast (Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega, Porto midfielder Fredy Guarín and AC Milan defender Mario Yepes), the Cafeteros will once again earn the respect of the region and prep for a strong 2014 World Cup qualifying run.
PREDICTION Group runner-up