Argentina will have their hands full in their 2015 Copa America opener against Paraguay on Saturday as Los Guaraníes is reportedly keen on showing their current improvements under new coach Ramon Diaz.
The Lionel Messi-led Argentinian squad is looking razor sharp coming into this summer's tournament. Unlike during last year's Rio World Cup where the team's big-name stars were all banged up and fatigued, this time coach Gerardo Martino's boys are looking fresh and ready to take on anyone for the title.
Coming off an impressive performance in the final of the UEFA Champions League against Juventus, Messi is eager to lead Argentina to its first senior-level title since 1993, as per ESPN. He is also reportedly keen in debunking the misconception that he plays better with his Spanish team Barcelona that for his home country.
With this kind of motivation, teams should really watch out for the best football player in the planet right now.
Messi is backed up by fellow stars Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria, Javier Mascherano, and Carlos Tevez. With their depth, the quarterfinals is a guarantee.
Meanwhile, Paraguay remains to be one of the toughest teams in South America to date. According to Sportskeeda, Coach Diaz wants to redeem the team's exclusion in the 2014 World Cup by qualifying for the 2018 edition in Russia, and this tournament is the first step in doing that.
Armed with star international players like Lucas Barrios, team captain Roque Santa Cruz, Paulo Da Silva, Oscar Romero, Raul Bobadilla, and goalkeeper Justo Villar, they can give Argentina a run for their money on their very first game.
Prediction: La Albiceleste over La Albirroja, 4-1. Argentina and their veterans would prove too much to handle for the young Paraguayan squad.