The Argentine National Team qualified for the quarter-finals of the Copa America 2024 after having an impeccable group stage in which they not only achieved a perfect score, but also kept a clean sheet. However, according to the New York Times, Uruguay He did a better job and is the big favorite to be crowned champion in USA.
This confirmation by the prestigious North American media was not random, but is based on a thorough study of the performance of both the team Lionel Scaloni such as Marcelo Bielsa in the first round of the continental tournament.
Why is Uruguay above Argentina?
The person in charge of carrying out this comparison of the teams was the journalist Thom Harriswho assured that the Celeste is one step above the Albiceleste. The choice for the Charrúas is based on the following figures: recoveries in the attacking third (19), percentage of victories in aerial play (65.1%), percentage of victories in direct tackles (62.2%) and intensity of pressure (7.8 passes allowed per defensive action). In attack, they have scored the most goals (nine), completed the most crosses (23), chosen the most through passes (13) and launched the most direct attacks (13).
“This intensity combined with technical skill and athleticism make Uruguay a relentless team that must be kept at bay.. If they can dominate possession, as they did against Bolivia, they will throw their men forward, overload the attacking third and look to close down the opponent. If not, they will use their direct runners and their transition power to attack on the counterattack,” he argued about the work of those led by the Loco.
Finally, regarding the expectations that the Uruguayan team has in the tournament, the New York Times defined it as “overwhelming” and that “it can win playing ugly”, but despite everything, it is a team that “is on fire and will not fear anyone”, taking into account that its next rival is Brazil.
Harris, who placed the defending champion in second place, highlighted the three wins without conceding a goal. “Scaloni’s team has dominated all three games. No team comes close to their expected goal differential (xGD) of +6.6, and The quality of their chances suggests they should have won all their group games by at least two goals.”he explained.
Along the same lines, on the Scalonetathe American media added: “Argentina is in a good position to reach its third consecutive final at a major tournament. Let us not be complacent and the quality should be evident“.
How the other Copa América teams are doing according to the New York Times
In the “power ranking” presented by the North American media regarding the teams selected for the 2024 Copa América, things are behind Uruguay and Argentina.
The podium was completed by the Colombian team led by Néstor Lorenzo, who also had a great first round. “She is hungry, well trained and full of ideas in attack”with James Rodriguez as the key player, free behind the two forwards, according to Harris.
Brazil is only in fourth place, having had a poor performance in the first three matches. “Of the four big teams still in the tournament, “has seemed the most defeatable”.
The big blow that he gave Venezuela being the leader of his group with three wins places the Vinotinto in 5th placeIn sixth place is another of the tournament’s surprises, Panama, which also made it to the quarter-finals.
Canada is 7th, Ecuador finished 8th and, facing the match against Argentina, “They are capable of turning it into a complicated and potentially dangerous match”according to NYT.
Costa Ricawho left “with their heads held high,” is 9th: “Four points and valuable experience in competition represent a job well done,” explained the journalist about Gustavo Alfaro’s team. The United States was ranked tenth after their “disastrous elimination” in the group stage.
The latest locations include: Bolivia. “As expected, she did not have the quality necessary to really compete in Group C,” the media concluded, backing up the results with data on her performance. Paraguaywith “a poor performance that could cost Garnero his job”, Peruthe “great disappointment” of Chile, Jamaica and Mexico.
JP
2024-07-04 18:29:00
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