Copa America 2019: Will Venezuela upset Argentina on Lionel Messi's return to Maracana?

More Maracana misery for Messi?

Almost exactly five years ago, Lionel Messi suffered the most shattering blow of his career as Germany won the 2014 World Cup Final with a 1-0 extra time victory over Argentina at the Maracana. Now, Messi is returning to the mythical Rio de Janeiro venue for the very first time hoping to avoid more heartache on the international stage.

This has not been a particularly good Copa America so far for Messi, who netted a crucial penalty to secure a group stage draw against Paraguay but contributed little else to an Argentina team desperately struggling to find any kind of fluid attacking shape or rhythm.

The extent to which Messi should be personally held responsible for his failure to replicate his club form at international level is a fierce ongoing debate: is he blameless after being expected to lead a ragged unit with little support, or is he guilty of playing for himself rather than the team and therefore hindering Argentina’s attempts to develop anything resembling a free-flowing style?

Either way, Argentina’s success or otherwise against Venezuela on Friday night will be judged as Messi’s as much as his team’s, and the location of the game adds an extra edge of drama: will it be more Maracana misery for Messi, or will he maintain the unlikely dream of finally tasting glory with his country?

Scaloni seeking solid structure

Whatever you think of Messi’s performances at international level it’s obvious he can’t do everything alone, and Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has to decide who will play alongside his captain in a bid to overcome Venezuela’s well-organised defence.

It often appears that Scaloni – like his recent predecessors in the managerial hotseat – is making things up as he goes along, with the inexperienced coach selecting different teams for every game as well as experimenting with a perplexing variety of formations and tactical approaches.

In the three group stage games, Scaloni started off by lining up Messi alongside Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria on the right in a 4-3-3, then bringing him centrally alongside Lautaro Martinez, and finally slotting him behind both Aguero and Martinez in a 4-3-1-2.

Both of the latter scored in the qualification-clinching 2-0 victory over Qatar on Sunday night, and Scaloni is expected to stick with a similar approach for this quarter-final tie. But whether Argentina end up looking more like an actual team rather than a disorganised playground rabble is anyone’s guess.

Solid Venezuela aiming for upset

Anyone expecting Argentina to comfortably brush aside Venezuela should get ready for a shock, because the team managed by Rafael Dudamel are the fastest-rising side on the continent and will be anything but easy to overcome.

Venezuela only conceded one goal during their three group stage games, with impressive young goalkeeper Wuilker Farinez helping to secure goalless draws with hosts Brazil and Peru, along with a 3-1 victory over Bolivia to seal second place.

There is also plenty of goal threat with experienced front man Salomon Rondon supported by sharp wingers Darwin Machis and Jhon Murillo, all of whom caught the eye when Venezuela deservedly defeated Argentina 3-1 in a Madrid friendly as recently as March.

The dreadful political unrest back home has allowed Dudamel’s team to develop a strong sense of unity and an unmatched sense of motivation to give their embattled people a sense of pride, and this Venezuela team are looking more than capable of becoming the surprise package of this Copa America. Taking everything into account, Argentina perhaps shouldn’t even be regarded as favourites…this one could go either way.