How Chile Can Overcome Argentina and Win Copa America 2015
One swallow does not make a summer, but Chile will be extremely wary of Argentina's attacking threat when the two sides meet in Saturday's Copa America final.
Tata Martino's side pummelled Paraguay 6-1 in the semi-final in Concepcion to set up a date with Jorge Sampaoli's Roja at Estadio Nacional.
Both teams will be desperate to win the trophy, with Chile having never lifted it in its 99-year history, while Argentina last won in 1993.
Two goals from Gabriel Batistuta helped them see off Mexico in the final 22 years ago, and La Albiceleste have not won a single major trophy since.
Of course, they have a new hero now in Lionel Messi. By his own high goalscoring standards, this has been a below-par tournament for him, with the Barcelona magician only netting once in five games.
That was a penalty in Argentina's opening match against Paraguay, but if you look beyond the numbers, you will see he has been playing at a high level.
In the semi-final, he created three goals and played significant parts in the others Argentina scored.
Messi is the best player in the world, and Paraguay need to deal with the threat he poses.
Claudio Bravo, his club team-mate in Catalonia, should know that better than most, but he insisted La Roja were not going to focus only on shackling him and midfield powerhouse Javier Mascherano.
Bravo said, per the official Copa America website:
"The truth is that it is not easy, seeing the quality that Leo has and what he has done throughout his career, it's been amazing.
I think that our focus is the team—that as a team we can control Leo and the other class players.
Javier is a very valuable player who gives character to your team, is the heart of the side. The performance of the team does not only go through Javier or Leo.
"
Perhaps that's just for show. But Chile would be making a mistake if they do not try to stifle Messi's threat with force.
Of course, even if he's heavily marked, the forward can still make fools of veteran defenders, but it's better to try than to let him exert his influence.
Portugal were the last side to beat Argentina, winning 1-0 in a friendly in November, and their manager, Fernando Santos, said Chile should use zonal marking to reduce Messi's impact.
He told El Mercurio (h/t the Copa America site):
"Argentina is a very strong opponent, they have great players. To win, you have to play the perfect match and have a little luck.
You cannot mark [Messi] man to man, because the only thing you gain is a problem. He is so good that he always finds a way of having more freedom.
It is better to use zonal marking. You have to prevent him from receiving the ball.
"
Argentina managed just four goals in their first four games but exploded into life against Paraguay in the semi-finals.
Of the 10 goals they have scored at the tournament, eight have been against Paraguay over two games.
In their matches with Uruguay, Jamaica and Colombia, Argentina only scored twice.
As well as being defensively adroit, Chile must take their chances on the break.
Sampaoli's side are fascinating to watch when they pile forward, and the coach has to help Alexis Sanchez recover the form he showed in the first three games of the tournament.
Like Messi, Chile's star forward has only one goal this Copa, but his influence stretches farther than that.
Alexis was key in all of Chile's group games, but he seems to have tired as the tournament has gone on.
Against Uruguay in the quarter-final he was subpar, and he delivered an even worse display in the semi-final clash with Peru.
Chile will need the Arsenal man to rest and recover and arrive at the game in the same explosive form in which he kicked off the Copa America.
Juventus star Arturo Vidal must improve, too; after two good games at the start of the tournament, his form has dropped off.
He was taken off at half-time against Bolivia in Chile's final group game and didn't impress against either Uruguay or Peru.
As well as motivating the stars to perform, Sampaoli will hope the likes of Eduardo Vargas—who has been outstanding up front for Chile this tournament—do not wilt under the glare of the spotlight.
The Napoli man, who spent last season on loan at Queens Park Rangers, struck twice in the semi-final to put his side 90 minutes from glory.
They may be 90 of the toughest minutes of these players' lives, but Chile have the tools at their disposal to beat Argentina.
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