COPA AMERICA FINAL PREVIEW: BRAZIL V PERU

This Sunday at the iconic Maracana the 2019 Copa America comes to a close when hosts, Brazil face Peru in the decider. Although lacking in quality the tournament as a whole has been fraught with narrative. Ultimately the most pivotal match of them all transcends the game of football. Arguably Brazil enter their first game on Maracana soil for six years knowing it could reverse the ill effects of that 1982 World Cup semi final defeat to Italy. That 3-2 loss cast an end to “Futebol D’Arte” and born was the very nature of the current dogmatic Brazilian game a style which many are yet to grasp with. Peru meanwhile in their entire sporting history boast two Copa America triumphs the last of which being 1975. A victory on Brazilian soil would be a landmark in Peruvian history. Forever the underdog of South America “La Blanquiroja” boast a tranquil belief in their ability and worth. None more so advocated than Ricardo Gareca they have a new found faith that their role is not limited to that of bridesmaid. Given this one may be mistaken for considering this a case of good luck. Yet it would be sheer banal to suggest Peru have scraped their way to the final by virtue of plucky underdog performances and heroic shutouts.

Emerging past a bracket containing Uruguay , Colombia and Chile there has been no good fortune to Peru’s route to the final. Their win over Chile typified just some of what coach Gareca has installed. They saw off their archetypal rivals displaying the finest balance of passion and patience. They defended superbly against the Chileans strengths and exploited their weaknesses. Pressing high, the first wave of Peruvian attackers and midfielders nearly ended up behind the goal next to their adorned faithful. Relentless pressing and running was on the menu of the day. The natural ability and ingenuity of attackers; Cueva, Flores and Carillo was supplemented by their phenomenal work rate. Edinson “Big Ear” Flores dispatched the opener which set in effect a chain of aftershocks, each Peruvian attack wearing down the ageing Chilean defence like a championed heavyweight. Yotun doubled their advantage before the break with a well executed volley from outside the box. Captain marvel; Paulo Guerrero sealed the win rounding Gabriel Arias before slotting a third. Faultless and the true essence of composure the Peruvian defence dealt with everything the Chileans could throw at them. Eduardo Vargas’ last minute penalty was the only shot of note goalkeeper; Galesse had to deal with. Cool, calm, collected and yet full of guile what has become of Peru?

Once the embodiment of perpetual disappointment in sporting terms at least, Peru have had to fight for every inch they have gained the past four years. The appointment of Ricardo Gareca was largely last chance saloon, a shot at the wind per se. A talent pool containing Jefferson Farfan and Claudio Pizarro although steady servants were supposed to have seen “La Blanquiroja” reach new heights and transformed the country on an international stage. The inordinate pressure heaped on both had seen these consistent European club performers relatively underachieve for their country. Indeed this can be said too of Nolberto Solano, formerly of the Premier League parish and now assistant to Gareca. International duty for many a Peruvian player became more akin to a chore. Players had been accustomed to disappointment. Everyone’s friendly neighbours and there was little for the their opponents to fear. The apathetic nature of their performances combined with the conventional passion and hostility they encountered of their rivals did not bode well. Then arrived “El Tigre”.

The current team embodies their manager. Stylish, considerate, keeping one foot in either the camp of patience or passion, all out or nothing. They have shown in this tournament and before under Gareca they have character in abundance. The Argentine has proven to be, a father to many of his players. He blends the art of coaching so smoothly with his computed style of management. Forgetting the 5-0 mauling by Sunday’s opponents a few weeks prior, they can draw some timely hope from the 1950 “Marazacano” when Uruguay defeated the hosts in the World Cup Final. Perhaps “La Celeste’s” historic victory may inspire Peru to revert to some of the dark arts they are more than capable of utilizing. Until Gareca’s tenure Peru has had little in the way of good stories when it came to football. The last manager to strike Copa America gold was Marcos Calderon in 1975. Just twelve years later a plane crash which brought to an end his own and the lives of Allianza Lima players will forever be etched upon on the nation’s minds. Nevertheless, this current team under Gareca win or lose has cemented a place in the hearts of millions. Sunday is the end of another chapter of Peruvian football folklore.

1982 marked the power shift of football from Brazil to Western Europe’s elite. Indeed Brazil would just win 1 of the next 9 world cups, a remarkably poor return for what was once adorned the powerhouse of world football. Arguably Brazil enter this game on home soil knowing it could reverse the effects of that 1982 World Cup semi final defeat to Italy. That 3-2 loss cast an end to “Futebol D’Arte” and conspicuously born was the very nature of the current refined business-like Brazilian game. In recent years Brazil’s fall behind their European foes has been ever more pronounced. Aiming to keep pace perhaps Brazil would be wise to bring in a manager of European experience. Furthermore such would represent blasphemy of the very essence which is the Selecao. This proud footballing nation which to their minds invented the modern game would never accept inferiority to the new kids of Europe. That's why Tite a man so adverse to the notion of coaching in Europe represents Brazil's best chance. He has been the voice of reason in an unreasonable environment and is an advocate of the pragmatic approach enacted by his recent predecessors. A first Copa America triumph since 2007 will give the Selecao a firm grip of the continent once more. It will revitalize an ageing group of players and install vigour and belief in an acclaimed crop of youth. After Sunday their sights will be firmly set on Qatar 2022.

Conceivably they are more European than they so wish. In recent years this took the form in being weighed down by expectations, a superstar player running amok and a manager who had worse job security than a Wall Street banker in 2008. In this respect they have been helped enormously by the absence of star man Neymar. Superstars like Neymar who for long been eulogized by the public masses have upon reflection proved ineffective and added much tawdry to the Brazilian game. Perhaps unfair to say but such unnecessary layers of complexity are perhaps best avoided. Tite and Brazil place huge emphasis now on a system and being a unit. It's functionality is heavily reliant on the work ethic of its components. In modern football terms Tite’s Brazil represent a poorer imitation of a simplistic 4-2-3-1 employed by yesteryears Champions League sides. Yet the proof is in the pudding and they have not fallen behind for a single minute in the tournament thus far. Although going forward the mileage clocks on of Dani Alves, Thiago Silva and co may have to be checked the expensively assembled parts which Brazil have gathered have just about got the engine over the finish line.

And so the 2019 Copa America draws to an end. To date it has proven to be a formality yet in many ways arbitrary. Extortionate ticket prices, poor playing surfaces and a lack of fanfare it has not been one for the record books and in fact an added tarnish on CONMBEOL’s books. Given the federation’s proclivity to stage multiple tournaments in a row there is a saying that with the Copa America there is always next year .Yet try explaining that to both of Sunday’s sides. Akin to their semi final clash against Chile for the Peruvians this is a clash which transcends football. For Brazil there isn't a single other country where football represents such a cultural phenomenon. Favourites tags don't hold form to convention in one off games and this is true as ever here. Failure to win on Sunday for Brazil would be inexcusable and bring down the curtains on many a fine career. Whatever happens Sunday Gareca and this teams era will be defined for giving a country the chance to dream. That alone is more valuable than the weight of Copa America gold. At long last this Copa America matters .