Argentina Seek Flying Start in Copa America Against Always Tricky Guarani

Failure is simply not an option for Argentina at this year's Copa America. Having gone so close to winning a third World Cup in Rio de Janeiro less than 12 months ago, only creeping one step further and lifting the famous old South American trophy will do. Lionel Messi and his team-mates know that and will have to cope with the weight of expectation throughout their stay in Chile. 

The Albiceleste stars will also be aware that, when it comes to playing their continental rivals, there is no such thing as an easy fixture. All attention must be focused on the next game and no further. 

If concentration levels start slipping among Gerardo Martino's men, after all, an opponent like Paraguay will gleefully take their neighbours down a few pegs. 

The contrast between the current Argentina squad and the Guarani could not be more palpable. From the heights of a World Cup quarter-final in 2010 and reaching the Copa decider a year later—albeit under current Albiceleste boss Gerardo Martino, with the dubious distinction of failing to win a single match on the field—Paraguay have since been in free fall. 

Current coach Ramon Diaz is the fifth man to take the reins in just four years. Since Martino stepped down in 2011, Francisco Arce, Gerardo Pelusso and Victor Genes all attempted to emulate his success, and every man fell short. But the Argentine is a different prospect. A sparkling history with River Plate in the mid-90s dots his CV, as well as a championship win with San Lorenzo. Diaz does not have much to work with, but he will try to get everything out of the players present in Chile. 

Jorge Saenz/Associated Press

The Guarani will pack the middle on Saturday, attempting to cut off Argentina's creativity at the source. The performances of hard-hitting Victor Caceres and Nestor Ortigoza in that area will be key if they are to grind out at least a draw. Further ahead, the onus will be on new Argentina-born recruit Raul Bobadilla to feed off the scraps and make his birth nation pay on the break. 

But really, as Diaz well knows, there is only one way his side can get a result. He and son/assistant Emiliano told Clarin in the days leading up to the game that they had to pray Messi gets out of the wrong side of bed before the match. 

Messi, of course, is the ace in the hole for Martino's men. The Barcelona star looks almost untouched by a season of gruelling competition, and alongside Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero he will form a potent attacking trident. The latter pair, of course, have already sent a Copa America warning message by smashing a combined five goals past Bolivia just one week ago. 

Nothing can be taken for granted in international football. But Argentina should have enough to take down their neighbours and make a flying start to the Copa America. The Guarani will pack their own box and look to throw their weight around, and catch the Albiceleste unawares. If Messi and Co. continue with the same sparkling form shown this year in Europe, however, a welcome three points for Martino in this opener should be the only objective.