After three weeks of big upsets, dodgy pitches and Uruguayan victories, South American football expert Jonathan Wilson gives us ten of the most important themes to take away from the 2011 Copa America.
1. Tactics matter
There have been few sides with a greater depth of attacking talent than Argentina, and few who have used it so badly. The frustration felt by the hosts was not just rooted in their quarter-final absence, but in the knowledge that generations like this come round infrequently and that Sergio Batista’s lack of tactical acumen has cost them.
Presumably those who still argue it’s just about picking the best players missed Argentina’s shambolic showing because they were trawling mill-towns smashing spinning jennies.
2. There are no minnows in South America any more
The big guns may not have fired, but the medium guns have, while Venezuela are far from the whipping-boys they once were. There is genuine strength in depth in Conmebol, and World Cup qualifying, with four automatic slots and a play-off spot to be divided among nine (with Brazil qualifying automatically as hosts) should be fascinating.
3. Chile will never win anything until they learn to defend set-pieces
Chile were the most attractive side in the tournament, and they battered Venezuela in the second half of their quarter-final, but they were undone by their inability to defend set-plays. Too many soft goals conceded means a team is always playing catch-up.
4. Never let the public pick your team for you
They vote for the wrong people as man of the match and demand glamorous players are selected to the detriment if the team unit (yes, Carlos Tevez; that means you). Leave it to the experts.
5. The two invitees must bring full-strength sides
Inviting Mexico and Costa Rica (after Japan’s withdrawal) to make up the numbers might have made a certain sense, but both brought under-strength sides because of their involvement in the Gold Cup. When scandal further weakened Mexico, they were barely even a shadow side. Both went home after the group stage.
Invitees, surely, must be able to compete. That said, there are plans afoot to expand the tournament to 16 with six Concacaf sides.
6. No matter how deep the moat, a dog can still find its way onto the pitch
The dog that performed a lap of honour before trotting off down the tunnel produced probably the one memorable moment of Brazil’s 0-0 draw against Venezuela.
7. Oscar Washington Tabarez is probably the most flexible tactician in the world
Uruguay can play 4-3-3, 4-4-2 or with three at the back, according to circumstance. His tweaks have made an essentially average bunch of players (plus Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan) a truly formidable side.
8. The pitch is the most important part of a stadium
The pitch in La Plata was a lumpy bog, given a sheen of levelness by the copious use of green sand. It ruined every match played there and got Argentina and Brazil off to poor starts.
9. South America suffers a dearth of good attacking full-backs
Brazil and Uruguay had them, but nobody else did, which was one of thereasons massed defences were so successful; it was very difficult to change the angle of attack or to overman in wide areas.
10. There is such a thing as too much steak
No, really, there is. I can’t wait for something with some spice. (Keep the malbec flowing, though...)
Jonathan is a freelance football writer and editor of The Blizzard. You can follow him on Twitter
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