Copa America - Group C preview

BRAZIL

Previous Copa America best: Winners (1919, 1922, 1949, 1989, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2007)

Head coach - Dunga: Almost 12 months ago, Brazil's last two matches at the World Cup that they hosted saw them take on Germany and then the Netherlands. The overall aggregate score was 10-1 to the European neighbours, so it came as little surprise when Luiz Felipe Scolari was handed his P45. The Brazilian Football Federation have turned to Dunga, who had a 70% winning record from his first stint in charge of the Selecao between 2006 and 2010. Since his return, Brazil have tightened up under the former defensive midfielder, conceding just two goals in their nine outings since the World Cup debacle. Add to that the fact that all of those matches have ended in victories and you can see why optimism is slowly returning among the Brazilian faithful.

Key player - Neymar

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The 23-year-old has certainly thrived under Dunga's guidance, scoring eight goals (including four in one match against Japan) since the 1994 World Cup winner was rehired. That contribution is all the more remarkable when considering that last September he was appointed the permanent captain, despite his tender age. He will head to Chile this summer in the utmost confidence, having helped Barcelona to win a La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League treble alongside fellow South Americans Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. In total, Neymar has scored 39 goals in all competitions, which is more than double the return he managed during his debut campaign at Camp Nou.

Sports Mole says: Dunga knows how to win this competition, both as a player and a manager. It was a porous defence that cost the Brazilians a sixth World Cup last summer, but there should be no such issues this time around. It will be a largely inexperienced squad that Dunga has at his disposal in Chile, but an exciting one nonetheless. Also, with Neymar in such fine fettle, there is no reason why they won't be celebrating a ninth Copa America.

Did you know? Flamengo attacking midfielder Zizinho, who played for Brazil during the 1940s and 1950s, scored 17 goals in the Copa America - previously known as the South American Championships. No player has scored more.

Previous Copa America best: Winners (2001)

Head coach - Jose Pekerman: Having earned his stripes with the Argentina Under-20 side, whom he guided to three World Championship titles, he was handed the role of head coach of the senior side in 2004. He took La Albiceleste to the World Cup in Germany two years later, but having been defeated by the hosts in the quarter-final, he tendered his resignation. A stint in Mexico followed, before an ailing Colombia came calling. They were a nation struggling to qualify for Brazil 2014, but impressive wins over the likes of Uruguay and Chile booked their place among international football's elite, where they would reach the last eight. Under his management, there is a belief that he can restore the good feeling that accompanied the '1990s Golden Era'.

Key player - James Rodriguez

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While the 23-year-old was regarded as a good player prior to last summer's World Cup, few were expecting the playmaker to catapult himself onto the global scene in such striking fashion. He scored six goals in five outings, making him the tournament's leading goalscorer, yet he was somehow overlooked for the Player of the Tournament award in favour of Messi. A big-money move to Real Madrid followed and although the season ended without a trophy, the number 10 is a popular figure at the Bernabeu. This will be his first appearance at the Copa America.

Sports Mole says: Such was the style in which Colombia went about their business at the World Cup, they became a lot of people's second nation. Since the appointment of Pekerman, there is a positive vibe and if they can utilise that, they have the ability to beat any side in the competition. The squad has been slightly tweaked from 12 months ago, with centre-back Mario Yepes having retired and midfielder Fredy Guarin injured. On the plus side, though, Radamel Falcao is fit. Even during his luckless stint on loan with Manchester United, the forward still found the net at regular intervals for his country. If they don't reach at least the semi-finals, it's likely to be regarded a disappointment.

Did you know? Veteran defender Ivan Cordoba scored just five goals for Colombia, the last of which secured their one and only Copa America title to date.

Previous Copa America best: Winners (1939, 1975)

Head coach - Ricardo Gareca: The former Argentina striker has only been in charge since March, having previously managed a host of clubs, predominantly in his homeland. He was particularly successful with Velez Sarsfield, who won three Argentine titles under his watch. While his two games at the helm have passed by without victory, the 57-year-old has been credited with trying to change Peru's style of play. He has a host of attacking talent at his disposal and appears to be determined to utilise that.

Key player - Paolo Guerrero

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Peru unexpectedly reached the semi-finals in 2011 - their best showing at the tournament since 1997 - thanks primarily to the goals of Guerrero. The 31-year-old found the net on five occasions, with three of those being scored against Venezuela. He also heads into this tournament in fine goalscoring form, having revitalised his career with Corinthians in Brazil. If La Blanquirroja are to stand any chance of repeating their exploits of four years ago, the former Bayern Munich man is going to have to be at his clinical best.

Sports Mole says: They finished third last time, but it's going to be a tall order for Peru to get anywhere near that stage this time around. There is plenty of experience in the squad, but with the likes of Colombia and Chile having improved significantly from 2011, the Peruvians have somewhat fallen down the pecking order. Finishing as one of the two best third-placed teams is not beyond the realms of possibility, but going any further than that would be a surprise.

Did you know? Along with Argentina, Peru have drawn the most Copa America matches (31).

Previous Copa America best: Semi-finals (2011)

Head coach - Noel Sanvicente: Despite being in Chile, Sanvicente has admitted that his eyes are fixed firmly on Russia 2018. The Venezuelans are the only South American nation to have never qualified for a World Cup and it's in the 50-year-old's remit to put that right. Nevertheless, while he endured a rocky start to life at the helm of Venezuela with four successive losses, their form has picked up of late. Sanvicente was a success at club level, winning a combined seven Venezuelan league titles during his stints with Caracas and Zamora FC.

Key player - Salomon Rondon

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A Russian Premier League winner with Zenit St Petersburg, the 25-year-old will head into the tournament with plenty of confidence. He scored 20 goals in all competitions last term for Andre Villas-Boas's side, suggesting that he has now settled in Russia after a slow start. In total, Rondon has scored 12 goals for his country, the last two of which were scored against Colombia and Peru, whom he will come up against in the group stages. His pace makes him a threat to any defensive unit.

Sports Mole says: With the yellow-shirted Brazil and Colombia likely to be battling it out for top spot, it will be left to Peru and Venezuela to scrap for third. Sanvicente's men will be buoyed by the fact that they defeated the Peruvians in a friendly back in April and as a seemingly improving team, they have every opportunity of ensuring that they are not propping up the three other countries.

Did you know? From their 51 Copa America outings, Venezuela have conceded 155 goals and scored just 36, giving them an overall goal difference of -120.

Sunday, June 14
Colombia vs. Venezuela
Brazil vs. Peru

Wednesday, June 17
Brazil vs. Colombia

Thursday, June 18
Peru vs. Venezuela

Sunday, June 21
Colombia vs. Peru
Brazil vs. Venezuela

Written by
Liam Apicella