Date: 26.06.07
Time: 18.05(local time)
Venue: Mérida
Referee:Carlos AMARILLA (PAR)
Time: 18.05(local time)
Venue: Mérida
Referee:Carlos AMARILLA (PAR)
The 2007 Copa America opens in Merida as Uruguay play Peru, in an intriguing clash that will provide an insight into some of the strengths and weaknesses of Group A.
Peru travel to Venezuela with criticism ringing in collective ears, following indifferent preparation for the tournament, but it is coach Julio Caesar Uribe's that will be burning brightest.
The 3-3-2-2 he has employed most often has not sat well with the Peru faithful and, it is a narrow formation which, somewhat predictably, has manifest criticism from Newcastle wide man Nolberto Solano - a high profile absentee.
Peru can, though, call on Chelsea new boy Claudio Pizarro (pictured) and all eyes at Stamford Bridge will be on the bustling forward, as they look to garner more information on their acquisition from Bayern Munich.
Alongside Pizarro will be the pacey presence of Jefferson Farfan and following what was a hugely impressive campaign with Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven, he too will be confident of posing problems in Venezuela.
Peru have tasted Copa America glory back in 1939 and 1975 and while they are unlikely to complete a hat-trick in 2007, they could yet pose the odd problem for some of this year's more fancied contenders.
Perennial dark horses Uruguay commence the tournament without their talisman Alvaro Recoba, courtesy of a thigh injury that is threatening to derail his country's chances of glory.
The extent of the injury has yet to be ascertained, but what is clear is that Fabian Estoyanoff will step-in as his replacement for the Peru clash.
At the other end of the field, Diego Lugano finished Uruguay's last training session with ice strapped around his knee, but it is thought such action was precautionary and he is expected to start.
Diego Forlan has rued Recoba's absence in the local press but with clubs across Europe, and in particular the Premier League, watching the former Manchester United misfit, it will be on the Villarreal hit-man's shoulders that the goalscoring burden rests.
http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx...spx?hlid=473880&CPID=128&clid=834&lid=26&title=Peru+v+Uruguay+preview&channel=&
.
