Venezuela look to revive upward momentum at the CONMEBOL Copa America 2021
2021-06-12
The recent history of the Venezuelan team in South American football is one of evolution.
They were rarely contenders in the twentieth centruy but the «Vinotinto» have risen to prominence in recent years, flirting with World Cup qualification for the first time in history and increasingly making an impact at the CONMEBOL Copa America.
Injuries and absences mean Portuguese boss José Peseiro will be without some key players for the tournament. He will need real commitment, unity and a big performance from his depleted ranks to renew the rise of Venezuelan football at this year’s Copa America.
At the back Venezuela will be without Yordan Osorio, an important starter who has had a good season in Italy with Parma. The side’s talismanic target man Salomón Rondón will also be unavailable. Rondón, who has made an encouraging start to his time in Russian football with CSKA Moscow, is Venezuela’s all time top scorer and will be a huge miss.
Postive Covid tests mean further absences including Josef Martinez, Chancellor, Villanueva, Rosales and captain Rincón. With key experienced players out, this has given some talented Venezuelan youngsters a chance.
Erick Ramirez is in superb scoring form in Slovakia, Jan Hurtado is always a handful and strong 19 year old target man striker Daniel Perez of Club Brugge is a player with a lot of potential. The Metropolitanos central midfield pair of Laratonda and Bahachille are also ones to watch.
Established names available to Paseiro include Yangel Herrera of Granada, from Spain, pacey winger Savarino of Mineiro, inventive Otero of Corinthians and the tiny mercurial magician Yefferson Soteldo who recently joined Toronto FC.
Poseiro has been in charge of Venezuela since the start of 2020 having previously worked for Porto and Sporting. The impact of the pandemic means he has only taken charge of 6 games so far; defeats against Colombia, Paraguay, Brazil and Bolivia, a win against Chile and a draw with Uruguay. Venezuela have perhaps been hit hardest by key absences so far but penultimate place in the table at this stage will be a concern.
In the 2019 Copa America Venezuela had a good outing, finishing second in their group and securing a draw against hosts and eventual winners brazil. They were narrowly beaten in the quarterfinal by a strong Argentina side.
In 2021 Venezuela will compete in Group B alongside Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. They will play in the opening game of the tournament on 13 June at the Mané Garrincha Stadium in Brasília against hosts Brazil.