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After a relatively sombre opening to the 2019 Copa America which saw Brazil toil to a 3-0 win over Bolivia, we are in for a real treat as Argentina play Colombia in Salvador tonight in the tournament's first real 'big game'.
The Albiceleste have the odds firmly stacked in their favour given the history between the sides, but Los Cafeteros have proved to be no pushovers either in recent times.
An international friendly earlier in March ended in a dour and inconsequential goalless draw, but you can bet your bottom dollar it's going to be much different this time around.
Argentina and Colombia are the favourites to progress through the group, and this match would have bearings on who could finish at the top.
Here's how they could line-up in a combined XI: (Formation: 4-1-3-2)
Goalkeeper: David Ospina (Colombia/Napoli)
A lack of experienced goalkeepers in the Argentinian camp paves the way for Ospina here. The Colombian shot-stopper was actually good for Napoli in the first half of last season, before losing his spot to Alex Meret after he recovered from injury, regardless.
Yet, so content he was with his form and performances that he rejected the idea of going back to Arsenal. His commitment to trying and challenging Meret for the No.1 spot in goal is truly commendable, and so is his character in the face of such a dilemma.
Ospina has also been Colombia’s undisputed choice in goal. His performances during the 2014 World Cup qualifications as well as the tournament proper propelled him higher up the ranks of the world's best goalkeepers, and also turned in decent shifts in the 2018 edition, having also saved a penalty in the shootout defeat to England in the last 16.
He will be crucial once again in shutting out the likes of Messi and Co.
Also see : Copa America Standings, Barcelona Transfer News.
Right-back: Renzo Saravia (Argentina/FC Porto)
Gabriel Mercado’s rather sombre club season with Sevilla cost him a place in Lionel Scaloni’s 23-man squad, as he now embarks on a new chapter with Qatar side Al-Rayyan. That opens the door for Saravia, who has only four caps under his belt. But he was given a chance to impress in the 5-1 demolition of Nicaragua, and made the most of the opportunity with an assured performance.
Centre-back: Yerry Mina (Colombia/Everton)
Yerry Mina was Colombia’s trump card in last year’s World Cup, scoring thrice in succession against Poland, Senegal and England - and all being close range headers as he took over the talismanic mantle while James Rodriguez struggled with match fitness. And even though Mina didn’t really go on to pull up trees with Everton in the following season, his aerial prowess will definitely pose a huge threat in dead ball situations again.
Centre-back: Davinson Sanchez (Colombia/Tottenham Hotspur)
The 22-year old has been a revelation ever since he joined the Lillywhites in 2017. His assured displays at the back are a testament to the consummate ease with which he’s taken to the rigours of the Premier League, and that certainly also belies his age. Sanchez stepped up during Toby Alderweireld’s prolonged absence last year and was also the sole bright spot in a Spurs defence that went through the motions last season.
Left-back: Nicolas Tagliafico (Argentina/Ajax FC)
Among Ajax’s lesser celebrated players of the otherwise young and exuberant side of last season is Tagliafico, who nevertheless did enough to catch Scaloni’s attention and give a chance to feature in the tournament proper.
He was calm, composed and committed in the defence, whilst also showcasing his attacking instincts by driving forward on regular occasions, as accentuated by his six goals and assists each in all competitions for the Grodinzonen.
Defensive midfielder: Wilmar Barrios (Colombia/Zenit Saint Petersburg)
Barrios always finds himself linked with a top shout of Europe but hasn’t really impressed enough to materialise any of the purported moves. Nevertheless, he remains an important member for the Los Cafeteros, as he covers a lot of ground and is also a relentless winner of the ball with a staggering average of almost 6 tackles per 90 minutes. He will be crucial in breaking up Argentina’s play.
Right midfielder: Giovani Lo Celso (Argentina/Real Betis)
Lo Celso’s meteoric rise with the Verdiblancos last season convinced the Spanish outfit to sign him up from permanently from PSG. His 16 goals and six assists in all competitions also impressed Jorge Sampaoli enough, and he looks like a surefire starter for Argentina, especially after the devastating effect to which he combined with Lionel Messi in a recent friendly against Nicaragua.
Left midfielder: Angel di Maria (Argentina/PSG)
Whether it’s Real Madrid or PSG or even Argentina, the uber-smiling di Maria always had to contend with playing second fiddle to bigger stars plying their trade alongside him. However, that isn’t to suggest he’s been any half-shabby - he scored and assisted 12 times each for Les Parisians last season and also stepped up in the injury-enforced absence of Neymar and Cavani. Now it’s time for him to do the same for the Albiceleste.
Number 10: Lionel Messi (Argentina/FC Barcelona)
After watching his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo pick up another international trophy with Portugal, the Barcelona ace would be hard-pressed if another failure befalls. Messi has the form on his side, striking 50 times for his club in the season gone by to emerge as the most prolific in Europe. Now it’s time for him to transcend the international territory and replicate the same.
Striker: Sergio Aguero (Argentina/Manchester City)
The Albiceleste has always witnessed immense competition for places in the attacking vanguard, due to which Sergio Aguero couldn’t really make an impact in a major international. He was largely second fiddle to Carlos Tevez and then Gonzalo Higuain. However, with the Manchester City star now most likely to be the focal point of the attack, this is his time to shine.
Striker: Duvan Zapata (Colombia/Atalanta)
Strikers were hardly any deadlier than Duvan Zapata last season in the Serie A. His blistering exploits not only yielded 23 goals but also helped the La Dea secure a Champions League place for the first time in its history. And he’s a big game player too, scoring against Juventus, Napoli, AS Roma and Lazio along the way. Argentina might be the next side on his hit list.
