Brazil Lift Copa America WIth Brilliant Tactical Display

So Brazil are the Champions of the Copa America. They beat Argentina 3-0 in a final that did not quite turn out to be the cracker that I certainly thought it would be. In fairness that was down to Brazil getting their tactics spot on.

The strikers hassled the Argentine defenders, forcing them to pass the ball early to Riquelme, Veron, Mascherano and Cambiasson, these players were then closed quickly and either forced to make a mistake or were fouled just outside shooting range. The Brazilians were confident that their extra height would see off any set-pieces, and so it proved. It was gamesmanship, but it won them the trophy, as the fouls were all innocuous enough to not warrant any yellow cards and the Argentines couldn't capitalise on any of their set-pices.

In attack the Brazilians used their pace in scathing counter-attacks down the Argentine flanks, especially the left flank, which seemed to be completely exposed as Heinze was usually attacking and didn't have the pace to come back in time, and Cambiasso was not quick enough to cover his position. The Brazilians worked to ball out of defence quickly and the Argentines looked very dodgy at the back, epitomised by the own goal scored by Ayala. Maicon at right-back was especially impressive for Brazil, looking like a young Cafu, but with slightly more power in his runs, he should be snaffled up by a top European club pretty quickly.

Well done to Brazil, they deserved to win and the Argentines need to take a long look at their defence before they go into their next tournament. Heinze, Ayala and Zanetti just don't have the pace anymore to play against top opposition, and they were cruelly exposed here. They also need to look at being able to change their system of play when the match is going against them. Once they had gone 2 goals down, Veron should have been removed for Crespo and Cambiasso off for Palacio. Then move Riquelme and Mascherano into central midfield with Messi and Tevez/Palacio playing on the wings (since they don't really have any other proper wingers) and Crespo and Tevez/Palacio up front. This would allow them to have more width and give their defence a bit more cover on the flanks. Still, they had been playing brilliantly up till this game, so keep the attack and bring in some youngsters in defence, now's the best time to do it as the next World Cup is a few years away.

Right, off to bed now, night all.