Jorge Barraza: Taking out Gonzalo Plata, where are there new figures …? | Columnists | sports

Already passed twelve Copa América matches and thirty Eurocopa matches. Both begin to draw conclusions. The first is that European games show greater physical intensity. And there is more excitement for the return of the fans, an essential seasoning in football. In some cases with 30% of the authorized public, in others like Hungary and Denmark, with the stadiums almost full.

* EUFORIA AND JUSTICE.

An unforgettable day on Monday for football in Denmark. The nearly 25,000 who came to Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium – no one wearing a chinstrap – will evoke it for years. The Danish team beat Russia -4 to 1- playing good football and with a spectacular ambient emotion. The euphoria of its people was sensational, contagious. Only football can generate such a state of emotion. Making two great matches, with boldness, generosity and offensive vocation, he had lost unfairly to Finland (who finished only once on goal) and Belgium, whom he had to mistreat. It seemed already eliminated, but it recovered and classified to eighth. They tied for second place with the Russians and Finns and beat them on goals. Without a doubt, one of the best teams in the Euro by proposal, plays well. Wales is his turn. Attention to the homeland of Michael Laudrup …!

* THIS IS FOOTBALL …!

In the Qualifiers, Peru had collapsed after losing 3-0 in Lima with Colombia and recovered with Ecuador in Quito, leaving a good image. In the Copa América it was the same: it was beaten 4-0 by Brazil in the debut and then recovered against Colombia (2-1) giving a technical exhibition. The respect of the Peruvian footballer for the ball is fantastic, under all circumstances. Nobody rolls it, everyone touches the foot. And what grace …! Of course, there is an enormous merit of Gareca, who with two boxes of matches put together a typical orchestra. But this comes from the bottom of the story. Sometimes the Inca player can be accused of lazy, but he never lost his art with the ball. Yoshimar Yotún is the standard bearer of that very elegant touch, although all his men shone.

* TO TRY…?

Every moment we hear or read: “The Copa América is good for testing players.” No, the Cup is to compete, to win glory and greatness, add titles, make history. Uruguay is a country of three million four hundred thousand inhabitants, when it was crowned champion of America 2011 in Argentina, one million Uruguayans took to the streets of Montevideo to acclaim their team in the triumphant return. It is one of the most celebrated celestial triumphs in his very rich record. He went to get the Cup, not to try. Yes, it is a unique opportunity for coaches to spend a month or more with their players, bring in some new people and mix them up little by little. That too.

* AIRPLANES ON THE BANDS.

Many years ago the pointers disappeared (Garrincha, Corbatta, Houseman, Best, Jimmy Johnstone, Libuda, Gento …) those inhabitants of the line who played wide open. They were replaced by “forwards on the inside” or “from the whole attacking front”. Now he seems to be saying goodbye to the pure tip marker, the defender who closes his band and travels from the height of his area to, at most, the midfield line. Many teams, both in the European Championship and in our continental competition, are planted with three defenders behind and two well-ahead lanes, almost with more finishing obligations than defensive ones. They are a key weapon in orchestrating dangerous advances. And, given the current training, they are prepared for the round trip. There are many examples of these wingers: Robin Gosens (Germany), Spinazzola (Italy), Jordi Alba, Zinchenko (Ukraine), Attila Fiola (Hungary), Raphael Guerreiro (Portugal), Danilo and Alex Sandro (Brazil), Acuña and Nahuel Molina (Argentina), Isla (Chile), Pervis Estupiñán… There are many more. Simply staying to take care of the rival striker who attacks from his side is no longer valid. It is part of the permanent evolution of the game.

* RICH WINE.

Among injured and infected by Covid, Venezuela could not count on its 16 best footballers, except the phenomenal goalkeeper Faríñez, for this chronicler, one of the best goalkeepers in the world (and do not rush me because I say more …). With a team B shooting C, they made a worthy match against Brazil, still losing 3-0. A double-digit win was expected, but kept the vertical. Then, a heroic defense to tie at zero with Colombia and, finally, the tie with the most flavor against Ecuador, always losing, always with the intact faith in achieving the tie. There he already dared more. Very worthy of the players and the Peseiro coach. The Vinotinto showed bravery and some interesting new elements.

* FAVORITES.

It’s early to give favorites, but some are looming. In South America it is clearer by the impressive current superiority of Brazil, which continues to accumulate triumphs under the hand of Tite. There is an intact ambition in the green-yellow. Perhaps Argentina could compromise it, for Messi, although it does not show solidity either, it does not convince at all. In Europe are Italy, France and Germany, who returned with everything in their 4-2 win over Portugal. Let’s not rule out Belgium. And let’s get some tickets to Denmark. Another who likes for his game is the Netherlands, although we will see its consistency when the roughest road arrives.

* WHAT ABOUT THE NEW …?

What we always expect in South America, now more than ever, is the appearance of new figures, who feed the illusion. But the ones that stand out the most are Messi, who turns 34 tomorrow, and Neymar, approaching 30. And then what…? Against Argentina, Micky Almirón dazzled once again in Paraguay for his ability, speed, ambition. But it already has 27 pitches. In Uruguay they are still waiting for the goals of Suárez and Cavani (68 between them) and in Colombia they say they miss James and Falcao. The only really new promise is Gonzalo Plata, an immense talent who I hope does not cut his progression. We are not well. (OR)