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Lionel Messi and Arturo Vidal will face off in a major final againIt started off with 16 different nations and now, three weeks later, it is down to only two. Chile and Argentina, the last teams standing, will battle it out at the Chilean capital of Santiago for the ultimate title in Latin America – the Copa America. Both sides have impressed on their way to the final but also had their fair share of upsets. Chile, the hosts, are in the final after 28 years and are aiming to end their embarrassing 99-year title drought whereas the Albicileste are desperate to end a 23-year wait for another piece of silverware.The final is touted to be a really enticing one with some of the biggest football stars on the planet. However, an integrated line-up of both sides would make for an intriguing prospect. But who makes the cut? Here is a combined XI of the two finalists – Chile and Argentina.
#1 Goalkeeper: Sergio Romero
On the grounds of the number of goals conceded so far, Argentine custodian Sergio Romero has proved to be the safer hands with only 3 goals conceded to Claudio Bravo’s 4. Although the Barcelona star has had his moments in goal, he narrowly misses out on the list to his counterpart from Argentina.
Romero may have graced the field for a very short time in the last two years as he’s been used only as a backup at his club AS Monaco. But he hasn’t lost his touch in goal. The 28-year-old continues to pull off spectacular saves when called upon and commands the box with great authority.
In the 2015 Copa America, Romero has kept three clean sheets, two of which have come against Uruguay and Colombia, and has surrendered goals only against Paraguay. His strong, physical presence in between the sticks has been tough to beat for the rivals and Romero needs to continue that dexterity in goal to keep Chile at bay.
#2 Defence: Isla - Demichelis - Otamendi - Rojo
On the right of the defence, we have Mauricio Isla. The diminutive Chilean had quite a good outing with QPR in the Premier League during his loan spell last season and has continued to play for his national side in the same vein. Isla has not just been terrific at the back but has also proved to be useful in the attack. The 27-year old combines his pace and stamina to complement his technical ability and has been critical in instigating counter-attacks.
His penchant to drift forward has even yielded a goal – the winner against Uruguay in the quarter-final – and needs to bring his ‘A game’ in the final where he will be up against the tenacious and impish Andel Di Maria.
Moving to the centre, Martin Demichelis warrants a place for all his heroics at the back for the Albiceleste so far. Manchester City may have ended last season empty-handed after a limp defence of the league title and early exits in other competitions, but Demichelis was one of their better players and also the most consistent one.
The towering centre-back is known for his intuitive reading of the game and his 6 foot stature allows him to dominate over his opposite numbers. At 34, he may be losing his pace, but he still continues to be a hard nut to crack.
Partnering him at the centre of the defence is the strong and robust Nicolas Otamendi, who came of age last season with his proficient showings with Valencia. After being dropped from Alejandro Sabella’s 23-man squad for the 2014 World Cup last year, the 27-year-old was recalled by the now Argentina head-honcho Gerardo Martino and has repaid the manager’s faith.
Barring the game against Jamaica, Otamendi has started in all other games and hasn’t failed to impress. His knack of using physical strength to challenge has allowed him to make crucial tackles and is never afraid to throw his body on the line to block a shot. Otamendi’s credentials will be put to test when he will be defending against the most potent strike force in this tournament in the final.
Manchester United’s Marcos Rojo completes our defensive line-up and he takes the left back position ahead of Chile’s Miiko Albornoz. Rojo was signed by the Red Devils last summer and had a decent campaign despite the injury concerns. His performances in Copa America though, have been at a different level altogether.
The 25-year old has upped his game and is currently in a great form. His most notable performance came against Paraguay in the semi-final when he not only ignited the rout but also put up a defending masterclass. His speed and aerial threat will be crucial for Argentina in the final.
#3 Midfield: Vidal - Valdivia - Pastore
Arturo Vidal’s stock may have gone down in the last two games, but he remains integral to Chile’s hopes of claiming the trophy in the final. The Juventus star started off the campaign with 3 goals in the opening two games and also has an assist to his name. The midfielder has lately garnered criticism for his misconduct on and off the pitch, but his playing attributes overcomes the negativities.
His positional awareness and a good distribution of the ball allows him to put in dangerous passes or crosses. And with a great vision and an eye for goal, he is a huge threat going forward. Vidal needs to find his form again if he is to have an effect against the mighty Argentinians.
Jorge Valdivia seems to have recaptured the form from his golden days under Marcelo Bielsa as he has found his footing once again under Sampaoli and is firing on all cylinders. He’s been a revelation of sorts for Chile, pulling the strings from the centre of the park with such elan. His best performance in a La Roja shirt came against Uruguay in the quarter-final where he single-handedly took them to the cleaners. A similar performance in the final may just hand Chile the title.
An outcast of sorts at Paris Saint-Germain, Javier Pastore has really stepped up for Argentina and grabbed some eyeballs with his splendid exploits. He’s been doing all the work silently and has been very decisive in Albiceleste’s surge to the final.
In the game against Paraguay, Pastore demonstrated his class, his true self, and showed just how effective he can be when on song. The same is expected of the PSG midfielder against Chile, a side who likes to dominate the midfield.
#4 Forwards: Messi - Vargas - Di Maria
On the right of the three pronged attack is Lionel Messi, who has flourished in his creative role. After leading Barcelona to their second treble, much was expected from La Pulga and, to some extent, he hasn’t disappointed. He may not have scored a goal from open play in 10 international games now, but Messi’s influence in Argentina’s fortunes in Copa America can be attributed to his role of a supplier.
He was at his creative best against Paraguay when he assisted 3 goals and had a hand in 5 overall. If goals are shortcoming, that still isn’t a problem for the Blaugrana ace as he can still win games under his own steam or still grab the limelight, albeit with his supreme creativity and invention. And that is exactly what Argentina will depend upon to getter the better of Chile.
Not really an out-and-out striker, but Eduardo Vargas’ qualitites in front of goal are no different from that of a conventional no.9. Whether La Roja lift the coveted trophy or not, Vargas is sure to find many suitors come knocking on his door this summer, as the Napoli man has been Chile’s biggest threat in the attack and now leads the race for the Golden Boot award with 4 goals.
His dynamism has made him the battering ram of his side. The flair, tenacity and guile seen in Chile’s attack should be credited to Vargas and the 25-year old will once again be entrusted with the job of putting the ball in the back of the net.
Angel Di Maria had a year to forget since the time he moved to Manchester United from Real Madrid. The Argentine looked out of sorts most of the time and it appeared as if he was on the decline. Suffice to say, he has successfully arrested the decline after his stellar showings at Copa America.
Di Maria has slowly got into his element and is once again going all guns blazing. The agility, technique, skill and trickery that he showed in the previous game will have to be executed again and that might get more than half of Argentina’s job done.
#5 Manager and Substitutes
Lambasted for his poor spell at Barcelona, Argentina manager Gerardo Martino has shrugged off all the flak and has redeemed himself since the time he has taken over the Albiceleste mantle from Alejandro Sabella post the 2014 World Cup.
The Copa America was touted to be his first real test as the Argentine manager and hasn't disappointed. He has successfully guided them to the final and stands on the cusp of making history. He has got the creative best out of players such as Javier Pastore, Angel Di Maria and Lionel Messi.
And if his side does lift the trophy in Santiago, a lot it goes down to his shrewd tactical acumen.
Substitutes: Claudio Bravo; Palo Zabaleta, Gary Medel, Charles Aranguiz, Lucas Biglia, Alexis Sanchez and Sergio Aguero
