Argentina striker Sergio Agüero believes that this is the most difficult Copa América in history and admitted that there are many challengers to his country’s aim of getting their hands on the trophy.
La Albiceleste have been champions of the competition on 14 occasions but got their 2015 campaign off to a disappointing start by throwing a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Paraguay.
They have gone 23 years without success on their own continent, however, and have been beaten in the final in two of the last three editions.
And the striker says it will not be any easier this time around, as he believes Argentina’s biggest rivals are stronger than ever before.
“I believe the Copa América has always been very difficult and I believe that all the games are going to be very complicated,” Agüero told Goal.
“Today the Copa América is stronger than ever. Perhaps before there was Brazil and maybe Uruguay, but now Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia and Chile are all strong and I think there are four or five countries that are very strong and are going to be very difficult.
“But Argentina have a great team. We will see if things go how we want, try to all be happy and see if we are able to win it.”
Following a speight of muscle injuries in recent seasons, Agüero visited a doctor with compatriot Lionel Messi after a thigh problem during World Cup 2014 made it difficult for him to have the expected impact.
He feels that changes to his diet and lifestyle have helped him reach new levels and kept further issues at bay.
“We went for a check-up, normal nutritional stuff, it was just a check-up to see how my body was and he recommended us some food to eat to improve a little physically, and yeah, personally I’m very happy because I think these days it’s very important to try to look after yourself and what you eat,” he added.
“Obviously I had an injury at the World Cup and injuries are always difficult to recover from but the most difficult thing after that is to stay in good shape.
“Because of the World Cup my lifestyle changed a little, the work I do and the food I eat, as I said, and today I feel a little better, I don’t get injured that much. What happened at the World Cup and before the World Cup with [Manchester] City I try to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.”
Gerardo Martino’s men take on Rio de la Plata rivals Uruguay – the only team to have won the Copa América on more occasions than them – in their second Group B fixture on Tuesday.
However, La Celeste will be without star forward Luis Suárez who misses the tournament as part of the nine-match competitive international ban handed down by FIFA last summer after he bit Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup.
And Agüero believes that their opponents will feel the Barcelona man’s absence.
“Obviously Luis Suárez is a top player, one of the best forwards around and because of that it will be difficult for Uruguay,” he said.
“It’s a big loss for him obviously, right now he’s a star in Uruguay and because of that his absence will be important when we play them.”
Bron: ca2015.com
