Paraguay's Roque Santa Cruz: Winning Copa America is all that matters

The Paraguayan striker affirmed he does not care if the Copa America final goes to penalty kicks, as long as victory goes his side's way

 

 

 Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz says he would not mind beating Uruguay in the Copa America final in a penalty shoot-out.

The Paraguay national team head into the final without having won a single match in the competition in regular or extra time.

As they lock horns with Uruguay, an attack-minded side, it is believed Paraguay could continue with their defensive approach in a bid to take the match to another shoot-out.

Santa Cruz is not concerned about what method his team employ to win the match, as long as they do win it. He told reporters: "It would not hurt me if we draw against Uruguay and Paraguay win it on penalities. Winning the Copa America is the goal, the rest does not matter."

The Manchester City attacker was unfazed when asked about the opinion of the critics of Paraguay's campaign so far.

"They are right, but in this Copa America this peculiarity has happened and that is football," he replied. "If we draw again in the final and beat Uruguay on penalties we will be very happy."

The experienced player will miss the match himself through injury, but praised Uruguay and offered his advice on how his team can win the decisive clash on Sunday.

"We know Uruguay, we have played against them on several occasions, we followed them in their very good campaign at the World Cup and we have seen them in this Copa America. They have good players and have been playing good football," Santa Cruz noted.

"I believe it will be crucial that Uruguay do not have much ball possession and do not find spaces, otherwise they will make it very hard for us." 

 NIni/Goal 

Arsene Wenger: Gervinho can have an immediate impact for Arsenal in the Premier League

Gunners' boss believes the Ivorian international forward will prove to be an instant hit in the English top-flight after putting in some impressive performances during training

 

 


















Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is firm in his belief that new signing Gervinho can hit the ground running in his first season in the Premier League.

The Ivorian forward joined the Gunners last month for a £10.5 million transfer fee and, amid speculation surrounding the futures of both Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, Wenger has lifted morale by praising the African international’s displays in training.
“He looks to me like he has adjusted very quickly,” the manager told the club’s official website.
“Let’s hope it goes quickly for him.
“You never know, some players take six months and some players take two weeks.”
Wenger has clearly been impressed with Gervinho’s adaptation and has pointed to his versatility as crucial to his ability to slot into the team in time for the new season, perhaps filling the void that could left by Nasri.
“He is a positive threat to everybody up front,” he said. “He can play on the right, he can play on the left and he can play through the middle.

“He is a help for us to be more dangerous, more of a threat. He is an addition to the Arsenal squad of top quality.

“Players like [Theo] Walcott or [Andrey] Arshavin can see that more as a help because they know in some games you need variety. Up front is the most demanding position where you need to be fresh.”


Nini/Goal