Barcelona FC vs Manchester United

FC Barcelona vs Manchester United Preview Match :
Barcelona pre-season tour in the United States is set to start Saturday 30-7-2011 as they take on Manchester United in their friendly match first on U.S. soil since 2009. Barcelona vs Man Utd will take place on Saturday at FedEx Field in Landover sold, Md. This game is a pre-season friendly match of the most anticipated because it is a rematch of Barcelona's Champions League final 3-1 win.


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Video: Asia, Luis and Taksim

It has been another busy week of content on Liverpoolfc.tv as we've continued to film exclusive content for you to watch online.

As part of our regular weekly feature we present some of the best videos that have been published on LFC TV Online in the last seven days.

Click on the play buttons below to watch our exclusive clips.

Two debutants: Every touch

Asia 2011: The full story

Comolli: Our future is bright

Debut duo reflect

Kenny's Hull verdict

Luis Suarez on Liverpool life

Moli nets again as U18s sink Latics

Irish tour highlights

Jordan relishing Gala test

Eccleston scores a belter in the reserves 3-0 win over Birmingham 

Kenny: Let's step it up

Ngoo, England and the parrot

Ngoo targets England U20 World Cup joy

Taksim Square revisited

0-3 in 90 seconds plus analysis from John Aldridge

Galatasaray highlights in 12 minutes

Kenny's Galatasaray verdict

Milan Baros on his love of LFC

 Our 2008 visit to Valerenga

Source: Liverpoolfc.com

Emirates to sponsor Real Madrid over five seasons

   

      The presentation act was attended by President Florentino Perez and twenty first team 

     players

Real Madrid and Emirates presented a new sponsorship deal for the next five years. The act was attended by Real Madrid President Florentino Perez; Salim Obaidalla, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Europe & Russian Federation; Boutros Boutros, Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications; and twenty players of the first team squad.

The deal, announced at a press conference today at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, sees Emirates become a Partner and Official Airline to the club for the next five years.

Florentino Perez said: “Emirates is a world-renowned company that has always respected and valued sport. The airline shares our belief in loyalty, effort, commitment and innovation and these common principles will create a special understanding. We strongly believe this is a strategic alliance bridging us with our many followers all over the world.”

"Having launched flights to Madrid on 1st August last year, this is a tremendous way for Emirates to mark the first anniversary of the route, while demonstrating our on-going support to sports and sports followers around the world," added Salem Obaidalla

The act ended with an exchange of gifts. Real Madrid presented Emirates representatives with a customised shirt, and in turn received a scale replica of one of the airline's airbuses.

Source: realmadrid.com

Arsenal 2-2 Boca Juniors

Arsenal 2-2 Boca Juniors: Defensive lapses cost Gunners victory in Emirates Cup after Van Persie & Ramsey had earned two-goal lead

Arsene Wenger's side draw their first game of the Emirates Cup as two goals in as many minutes see Argentine opposition highlight familiar failings

Arsenal drew their first game of their Emirates Cup as their clash with Boca Juniors finished 2-2 despite the Gunners having taken a two-goal lead through strikes from Robin van Persieand Aaron Ramsey.

The game started at a slow pace however Arsenal felt aggrieved when they were denied a penalty when Jack Wilshere was tripped in the box but the Gunners' claims were rebuffed by referee Martin Atkinson.

It was the visitors who came closest to opening the scoring from a corner. Arsenal’s zonal marking system allowed Schiavi to get above the Gunners defence but his header was just off target.

The first half was mostly played in the middle of the field with neither side able to create any clear-cut chances as both lacked the final ball needed to slice open their opponents' defence.

Arsenal finally showed their class with an incisive counter-attack to break the deadlock at the Emirates in the 28th minute when Wilshere sent Gervinho down the left and the former Lille man did well to slide the ball across the face of goal for Van Persie to slam home.

As the half drew to a close Arsene Wenger’s side had chances to double their lead but Armand Traore and Van Persie saw their efforts sail way over the bar of Augustin Orion.

The Gunners came out for the second half after making five changes and two of their substitutes combined to double their lead just seconds after the restart.

Carlos Vela weaved his way through the Boca defence before being tackled but the loose ball fell to Ramsey on the edge of the 18-yard box and he made no mistake, smashing the ball past Orion.

Boca tried to force their way back into the game and Arsenal keeper Vito Mannone had to be at his best to keep an effort from Lucas Viatri out as he tipped over the ball the bar just as it looked like dipping under the Italian’s crossbar.

The visitors got a lifeline back into the game in the 69th minute when Juan Roman Riquelme robbed Sebastien Squillaci of the ball and found Viatri on the right who then powered a right-footed shot past Mannone giving him no chance.

Julio César Falcioni’s side then grabbed a deserved equaliser through substitute Mouchewho capitalised on an error from Johan Djourou to flick Riquelme’s through ball past the advancing Mannone.

The Gunners keeper needed to be sharp to stop his side falling behind as Riquelme’s free-kick from outside the box nearly crept in at the near post.

Both sides tried to find a winner but were unable to break the stalemate as Arsene Wenger’s side were made to rue defensive errors yet again.

Source: goal.com

Michel Salgado: Manchester City are no match for Real Madrid

The Spaniard believes Roberto Mancini's men may be the most financially powerful club in the world but they cannot compete with Los Blancos when it comes to history

Former Real Madrid right-back Michel Salgado believes big spending Manchester City will never be able to match up to the Spanish giants.
Salgado spent 10 years with Madrid in a glittering career, during which he won La Liga four times and the Champions League twice.

His spell in the Spanish capital will be remembered for the ‘Galactico’ policy of Florentino Perez, who signed players such as Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane for record-breaking fees.

Now at Blackburn, Salgado has seen City spend similar amounts of money, most recently for Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero.

But like former Madrid team-mate David Beckham, who said City could not match up to Manchester United, the 35-year-old believes the Citizens can not compare themselves to Los Blancos due to their lack of history.

"They [City] now need to win trophies as quickly as possible," he told reporters.

"They have got the money but the history of Real Madrid is different.

"Expectations in Madrid are different, because they have such a great past. They have been the best team in the world in the last century.

"If you ask a player to sign for Real Madrid or Manchester City, it is a different question.

"If you sign for Real Madrid, you sign for perhaps the best club in the world in terms of history. Manchester City is the most powerful club in terms of money.

"But I would like to be in their situation to have the money to try to be in the mix among the top teams in Europe!"

Salgado had already left Madrid before the arrival of Jose Mourinho last year, but the Spanish international is backing the Portuguese manager to eclipse Barcelona and regain the league title from their Catalan rivals.

"It is the second season for Mourinho. They won the Copa del Rey last season. It is going to be an exciting season for them - Mourinho is trying to build a new team, he is trying to transform them,” he added.

"But Barcelona are such an amazing team. Mourinho can make them successful again -they can win the league." 


Source: goal.com

'We are all delighted for Fernando Torres'

'We are all delighted for Fernando Torres' - Frank Lampard says Chelsea squad are thrilled for striker after Aston Villa goal

Midfielder hopes Spaniard's goal with his first touch can provide springboard for a great season after a game he describes as the Blues' best in pre-season so far.

Frank Lampard admitted the whole Chelsea squad were delighted to see Fernando Torres get on the scoresheet against Aston Villa.
The Blues secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Alex McLeish’s side to seal the Premier League Asia Trophy, with the Spanish striker coming off the substitutes’ bench in the second half to score with his first touch of the ball.

Lampard was thrilled to see Torres strike and now hopes it can kick-start an impressive season in front of goal for the former Liverpool star.

“It’s very pleasing to see Fernando Torres score,” Lampard told Sky Sports.

“He’s a top player and a top striker, but obviously when players aren’t scoring people are going to talk about it.

“He’s kept his head down and worked hard. He hasn’t played all that much in pre-season, like a lot of us, and it can be quite hard particularly for strikers to get into good nick without having many minutes under your belt.

“But there’s nothing better than coming on and scoring with your first touch so we are all delighted for him.

“Of course, no one inside the club has ever doubted him; he’s a world-class striker and has proven that over many years. When we got him here we were all delighted to get a player of his quality.

“I’m sure he’s going to get a lot of goals. Obviously there is a lot of pressure – after he moved perhaps many people from the outside were looking for an opportunity to criticise him and it’s not been easy.

“It has been six months here, he wasn’t fully fit straight away and had to adapt to a new team and I think he, like of all us, is now feeling refreshed after the break and we’re now going to see the best of him.”

Lampard brushed off comparisons between himself and the scorer of the other Chelsea goal, Josh McEachran, but said he was delighted to see an English youngster make the grade at Stamford Bridge.

The England midfielder added: “Josh is his own player and he’s going to be a great player for Chelsea.

“He’s got so much natural talent and ability on the ball and has learned so much over the last year.

“Just as Jack Wilshere has done for Arsenal, he’s going to come through over this season and next season and is going to be a top player.

“It’s great to see a young English boy coming through when as a club we buy lots of foreign players and even bring in a lot of foreign youngsters.  For a local boy to come through and do so well is great to see.”

The 33-year-old concluded by summarising the Blues’ performance against Villa, which he felt was the best of their pre-season outings so far.

Lampard said: “I think that was the best we’ve played in pre-season. We have progressed with every game we have played so far this summer.

“It’s very difficult when you come out to play here in Asia, the climate is very humid.

“We played pretty well the other day and today against good Premier League opposition we’ve done very well apart from a brief period in the second half where we got a bit tired.”

Chelsea’s final pre-season fixture is a glamour friendly against Scottish champions Rangers at Ibrox next Saturday.

Source: goal.com

Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa

Substitute Fernando Torres scores with first touch as Blues claim Asia Trophy

The Blues emerge from their pre-season tournament victorious with a comfortable victory over Alex McLeish's men including a morale-boosting strike for the £50 million man

Chelsea continued their pre-season preparations with victory over Aston Villa in the final of the Asia Trophy in Hong Kong courtesy of a goal in each half from Josh McEachran and Fernando Torres.

The Blues fielded a strong line-up with Nicolas Anelka, Daniel Sturridge and Florent Malouda up front and McEachran handed an attacking role in midfield while Villa chose to leave Darren Bent on the bench, with Nathan Delfouneso and Gabriel Agbonlahor the two strikers.

It took Andre Villas-Boas’ men just 35 seconds to open the scoring, goalkeeper Shay Given doing superbly well to block twice from Anelka and then Malouda but powerless to preventMcEachran from slotting home the loose ball.

After a strong start, Villa gradually came back into the game with Ireland firing over after good work from Agbonlahor before Branislav Ivanovic managed to block a dangerous cross from Delfouneso.

Yet with just 15 minutes on the clock, Chelsea thought they had doubled their lead. Anelka rounding Given and slotting into an empty net, only to be denied by the offside flag.

Ten minutes later and again the assistant referee was called into action, once again signalling for offside after John Obi Mikel had poked home after Villa failed to clear a Lampard free-kick, another respite for Alex McLeish’s men.

The Scot opted to make just one change on the break replacing Marc Albrighton with Emile Heskey and Villa began the second half on the attack with Agbonlahor unable to control in front of Cech before Stiliyan Petrov dragged a volley agonisingly wide after Chelsea failed to clear a corner properly.

Yet the Blues were still a threat and from a Malouda corner were inches away from a second, with captain John Terry denied by Fabian Delph who hacked his header clear from his own goal line.

Changes swiftly followed on the hour mark with Torres, Didier Drogba and Patrick van Aanholt arriving and it was the Spaniard who grabbed the Blues’ second of the day with his first touch of the match.

Malouda was the creator, shooting from distance, with Torres just getting enough of a touch on the ball to divert it past Given to double the score.
The goal all but finished off Villa, who again had Given to thank as the Republic of Ireland international kept the score down with good saves from Torres and Lampard and even the introduction of Darren Bent from the bench could do little to inspire Villa as Chelsea closed out the game comfortably.

Source: goal.com

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TORRES FEELING GOOD

Today marks the start of a busy couple of weeks for the Blues, with a trip to Portsmouth this afternoon followed by departure for our Asian tour tomorrow.

For Fernando Torres, it comes after a lengthy break from football at the end of last season, but a return to goalscoring form against Wycombe Wanderers at Cobham on Tuesday.

The striker is now looking ahead to an exciting pre-season period starting at Fratton Park this afternoon before games in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Hong Kong, where we will compete for the Barclays Asia Trophy.

It is a competition the Spaniard knows well, having taken part with former club Liverpool upon signing there in 2007, losing a penalty shootout in the final against... Portsmouth.

'I missed a penalty, and the other one was Yossi Benayoun,' Torres smiled as he recalled the situation in Hong Kong. 'I remember it because I didn't play in the first game against South China because I didn't have the clearance from my transfer, so I couldn't play in the tournament but I travelled just in case, not expecting to play in that game.

'I was in the stand and was sitting in my seat to watch the game with Portsmouth when some people from Liverpool called me back and said I could play, so I changed, played and missed a penalty so we lost the final to Portsmouth.'

Despite the disappointment, he began that season in sparkling form, opening his Anfield account by netting against us in a 1-1 draw, and he believes competitive football in pre-season can only help your readiness for when things get going in the Premier League.

'It's good to have a competition, the main thing is to be fit and find your good form so you can start the season as well as possible,' said the 27-year-old. 'It is good to play against good teams, and in Hong Kong we will also play a Premier League team and it is natural to be more focused on the game. We want to win and show we are better than the other teams, it is the first challenge to balance if the season is going to be good or not.'

On a personal level, Torres has begun pre-season well with a tidy finish against Wycombe to show for 45 minutes of work, the profit he believes of a timely rest.

'I'm feeling good, it's a new season, a new start for me,' he said. 'It was a difficult four months last season but now I am already settled and happy, feeling sharper and I could enjoy my holidays in the summer after five years without a break so I am happier after some time with my family and a rest and I feel ready to start the season.'

The former Atletico Madrid man also had encouraging words for Benayoun, who netted a cheeky firstpre-season goal on Tuesday.

'Yossi was unlucky last season with the injury he had but now he is fully recovered and you could see the other day his quality, so now it is just a matter of form and he is back,' he said.

Source: clealseafc.com

Watch now: 'Asia tour 2011'

Two years on from their last visit, Liverpool were back in the Far East this summer on their biggest ever pre-season tour - and you can now follow every step the Reds made across China, Malaysia and Singapore in our hour-long documentary online.

From Guangzhou in China to the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur and then on to Singapore, the Reds met thousands of their fanatical faraway fans on a tour which will live long in the memory for everyone involved.

Featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes footage with both the first-team squad and the club's travelling community coaching team, interviews with key figures along the way and incredible footage of fan hysteria across all three countries, 'Asia 2011' is the story of Liverpool Football Club's return to a part of the world they could easily call home.

'Asia 2011' premiered on LFC TV on Tuesday evening and is now available to watch on demand.

Click on the image below to enjoy 'Asia 2011' on your PC.

Author: Paul Eaton
Tagged: asia , documentary , lfc tv

Source: liverpoolfc.com

Kuyt set for England clash

Dirk Kuyt has been named in the Holland squad for their friendly with England on August 10.

The Reds forward is one of 26 players that have been selected by coach Bert van Marwijk for a Wembley showdown that could see our No.18 go up against some of his club-mates.

The Holland squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Tim Krul (Newcastle), Michel Vorm (FC Utrecht)

Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz (VfB Stuttgart), Edson Braafheid (Hoffenheim), Jeffrey Bruma (HSV), John Heitinga (Everton), Hedwiges Maduro (Valencia), Joris Mathijsen (Malaga), Erik Pieters (PSV), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax)

Midfielders: Ibrahim Afellay (Barcelona), Mark van Bommel (AC Milan), Theo Janssen (Ajax), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Stijn Schaars (Sporting Lisbon), Wesley Sneijder (Inter), Kevin Strootman (PSV), Rafael van der Vaart (Tottenham Hotspur)

Strikers: Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Schalke), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Luuk de Jong (FC Twente), Eljero Elia (Hamburg).

source: liverpoolfc.com

Real Madrid return home

                           

The team will rest on Monday following two intense weeks of work in the US

Los Angeles showed its full support for Real Madrid again this summer. The team trained at UCLA's facilities, where hundreds of fans were able to approach the squad and watch it work out. The players tackled two intense sessions most days and gave excellent performances in all three games in the States, defeating LA Galaxy 4-1, Chivas Guadalajara 3-0 and Philadelphia Union 2-1.

Many celebrities have gone to UCLA to watch the team train in the last couple fo weeks, such as hollywood stars Will Ferrell, Zack Galifianakis and Eva Longoria, UFC champ UFC Cain Velasquez, and US national football coach Bob Bradley. Real Madrid's visits to the country are increasingly popular each year and attract a great number of the local and international media.

The Whites' first match was against LA Galaxy at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. They won 4-1 thanks to goals by Joselu, Benzema, Ronaldo and Callejon. Varane and Coentrao (who earned Man of the Match honours) made their debut with the team alongside the latter and youth teamers Jese and Casado. Spanish and local media had high praise for Real Madrid's performance. "If they perform this well after only four days of training, guess what they'll be able to do half-way thorugh the season," said ESPN's Gonzalo Aguirregomezcorta the following day.

Real Madrid followed their impressive debut with a great 3-0 victory over Chivas Guadalajara in San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick, proving to still have the drive to net strikes that allowed him to win last season's Golden Boot award.

The 2-1 victory against Philadelphia Union at Lincoln Financial Field put an end to the team's stay in the US. The Real Madrid New York Fanclub visited the team at its hotel before the entire squad and coaching staff went by bus to the steps of the Museum of Art, which were immortalised in Rocky.

Back in Spain now, Real Madrid will rest on Monday and return to training at 10:00 am CET on Tuesday.

Source: realmadrid.com

Forlan says his name entered the history of the Uruguayan football

•                                          

• BUENOS AIRES, July 24, 2011 (AFP) - The football striker of Uruguay, Diego Forlan, scorer of two goals in the Celeste 3-0 win against Paraguay, dedicated their championship team in the 2011 Copa America , on Sunday, and said his name entered the history of football in his country.
  "This title means a lot to me because my grandfather won, my father won and now I won. Three generations who led this tournament, Forlan will be the last name in the history" of football, the player said after the game that happened in the Monumental stadium, in Buenos Aires.
  Forlan was assured that "a complicated game, but the team was good. The early goal began to simplify things. "
  With this victory, Uruguay won its 15th title, one more than Argentina, and became the team that won more times the continent.
  
  Source: ca2011.com

Justo Villar is the best goalkeeper Petrobras of the 2011 Copa America!

•                                             

• 
  During the competition, Justo Villar, 34, was elected the best LG player of the match against Brazil. After this game, the goalkeeper became the great name of the Paraguayan squad. In the next game, against Venezuela, in the semis, another impeccable performance. In the final, he ended with the silver medal. 
  
  Despite the defeat, the goalkeeper was the highlight of the game. He made important defenses, and led his selection, as a consolation prize takes the award for best goalkeeper Petrobras 2011 Copa America, and a glorious silver medal.
  
  Villar grew in the second stage of the competition, against Brazil the goalkeeper suffered 120 minutes of pressure and left no ball swing his networks. In the semifinal, against Venezuela, made important saves, and suffered no goal in two matches, the team’s captain saved a penalty, which ensured the Paraguayans in the decision.
  
  During the competition, a real miracle. In the second half against Brazil, Pato dominated in the area and strongly kicked. The ball touched the ground, changed its track and gained speed, but Villar stood in front of the Brazilian striker, stretched around snapping the ball with his leg. What a save, Villar! 
  
  In today's decision, two miracles. On the first play of danger of Uruguay, in the first minute of the first stage, Lugano head out of the area, free of marking, a real shot, and Villar saved. At the very end of the match, a kick from very close, the ball swerves and veers, but the captain Guarani went back and did a miracle save. 
  
  Besides the silver medal, the Paraguayan goalkeeper received this well-deserved award from Petrobras. Congratulations, you're the best goalkeeper of the 2011 Copa America!

Source: ca2011.com

Sebastian Coates receives the Trophy Claro - Best Young Player of the Copa America

•                                                    

• 
  Sebastian Coates was elected as the Best Young Player of the Copa America and won the trophy Claro in the end of the final between Uruguay and Paraguay, where he was crowned Champion of the tournament.
  Competing against great players such as Costa Rican Joel Campbell and Brazilian Neymar for this award, the 20 year defender won this award after four beautiful exhibitions in the competition. With the breed, typical of the Uruguayans, combined with good technique, Coates is wanted by big clubs in Europe and South America.
  In addition to the Trophy Claro, Sebastian Coates also lead Uruguay to the title of the 2011 Copa America, becoming the team that won this tournament more than 15 times.
  
  Source: ca2011.com

Luis Suarez is the Best Player LG Copa America 2011

• •                                            
  • Striker Luis Suarez, Uruguay, was voted the Best Player LG of the 2011 Copa America. With four goals scored and a lot of energy on the field, led the Uruguayan side, experienced, with Diego Forlan, and Uruguay confirmed the hegemony in the competition.
    Against Peru in the semi-finals, Suarez shook twice the vand secured the victory of his selection by 2-0, ensuring a place in the grand final of the Copa America. The star of Liverpool-ENG was voted the Best Player LG in the night in La Plata. He received 31.7% of the votes from Internet users and journalists of CONMEBOL.
    Indeed, the striker had only scored against the Peruvians. In the first phase in Group C, former player of Ajax-NED left his in a tie, 1-1 against Peru. But he also scored in the final, today, in the victory over Paraguay.
    "We must be eternally grateful to people who are supporting us," said the striker during the competition, referring to the fans that encouraged the Celeste during the 2011 Copa America.
    Check out the latest winners of the "Best Player of the Copa America":
    
    
    Robinho (Brazil) – 2007
    Adriano (Brazil) – 2004
    Amado Guevara (Honduras) – 2001
    Rivaldo (Brazil) – 1999
    Ronaldo (Brazil) – 1997
    Enzo Francéscoli (Uruguay) – 1995
    Sergio Goycochea (Argentina) – 1993
    Leonardo Rodríguez (Argentina) – 1991
    Ruben Sosa (Uruguay) – 1989
    Carlos Valderrama (Colômbia) – 1987
    
    
    Source: ca2011.com

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Uruguay, Paraguay set for surprise Copa finale

•                                            

• 
  
  After two successive finals involving Brazil and Argentina, most South American football fans expected a battle of the giants in the final of the Copa America.
  Instead, they can look forward to a duel between two nations whose populations barely reach the ten million of Bolivia between them, never mind the 190 million of Brazil alone.
  Uruguay will be overwhelming favourites to see off Paraguay and clinch a record 15th continental crown, their first since 1995, to break their tie with Argentina.
  But Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez is keen to play down the favourites' mantle.
  "We have a lot of potential but Uruguay need not think it would be a disaster to come second. However, of course we believe we can win it - we have faith in ourselves and we are well prepared," said the coach.
  Argentina had expected to land a 15th Copa for themselves but instead the hosts fell to Uruguay in a quarter-final shootout to leave coach Sergio Batista fighting for his job.
  Brazil likewise made a quarter-final exit to Paraguay after failing to convert any of their kicks and Paraguay were at it again in defeating Venezuela to reach their first final since their second triumph in 1979.
  Paraguay, who will likely pin their hopes on Lucas Barrios and Nelson Haedo Valdez in attack with Roque Santa Cruz still not fully fit, also won the event in 1953 and were runners-up on five occasions.
  Yet here, the talk is of how they have reached Sunday's showdown at River Plate's Estadio Monumental by drawing all their matches.
  But it is Uruguay, despite having only a 3.5 million population to draw on, who have shaped the history of the world's oldest international football tournament with their 14 wins and six final losses in 42 previous editions.
  They will be looking to Diego Forlan, the top scorer at the 2010 World Cup, to find the target for the first time at the tournament.
  Paraguayan midfielder Edgar Barreto insists his team do not deserve to have a negative label pinned on them.
  "Everyone says how we have not won any of our games, but we didn't lose any either," said Barreto in looking back at the shootout successes over first Brazil and then Venezuela.
  Three of their games ended goalless though they were entertaining enough in a 2-2 group draw with the Brazilians and a 3-3 draw with Venezuela thereafter, when they let slip a 3-1 lead in the dying minutes.
  On Uruguay, Barreto said: "They are a balanced side with a lot of quality and we have to pick away at their weak points to hurt them."
  Defender Ivan Piris says reaching the final is not enough now they are there.
  "We want more now. We want to be the champions for the first time in 32 years and make history."
  Uruguay's Lazio midfielder Alvaro Gonzalez expects a tight contest.
  "Paraguay play the way they play - we know how this team works. They play it very tight and it's very difficult to get into their box. They deserve to be in the final. They played Brazil, one of the big favourites, twice and didn't lose."
  Young defender Sebastian Coates adds: "Paraguay will be tough opponents, given their history and tradition," while skipper Diego Lugano forecasts that "it will be a great battle."
  The winner of Sunday's game will go forward to represent South America's CONMEBOL association in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup hosted by Brazil.
  
  Possible line ups of the teams:
  Uruguay: 1-Fernando Muslera, 16-Maxi Pereira, 2-Diego Lugano, 4- Sebastián Coates and 22-Martín Cáceres; 15-Diego Pérez, 17-Egidio Arévalo Ríos, 11-Álvaro Pereira and 20-Álvaro González; 9-Luis Suárez and 10-Diego Forlán. Coach: Oscar Tabárez.
  Paraguay: 1-Justo Villar, 2-Darío Verón, 14-Paulo Da Silva, 5-Antolín Alcaraz and 17-Aureliano Torres; 13-Enrique Vera, 8- Edgar Barreto, 16-Cristian Riveros and 21-Marcelo Estigarribia; 18- Nelson Haedo Valdez and 19-Lucas Barrios. Coach: Gerardo Martino.
  
  The stars of the game:
  Uruguay: The ‘celeste’ team has as highlights its offensive attack trio: Luis Suarez, Diego Forlán and Edinson Cavani. Luis Suarez, 24, is the talisman of the 9 shirt. He was the player who putted his hand in the game against Ghana in 2010 World Cup, saving a goal that would eliminate the ‘celeste’. Liverpool player, Suarez moved to the England team and it's a reference to the team. He scored two goals in the 2-0 victory over Peru, in the semifinals. Edinson Cavani, also 24, is the great revelation of Uruguay. Playing in Italy, he did a very good season and is the highlight of his team. Diego Forlán, 32, was the best player in the last World Cup. He is the great experience of the attack and reference to the other two players. Other stars of the national team are Diego Lugano and Fernando Muslera (elected the best player of the match against Argentina).
  Paraguay: Paraguayan national team invests in the experienced former striker Roque Santa Cruz. The forward has 29 years, comes to his third Copa America, being the player who did the most goals among the squad with 24 goals. Nevertheless, Santa Cruz should not play against Venezuela because of an injury, and the responsibility of scoring goals is now in Haedo Valdez and Lucas Barrios. Other star of the team is Justo Villar (elected the best player of the match against Brazil and hero of the penalty shoot-out against Venezuela). 
  
  Curiosities of the Confrontation:
  - This confrontation has happened 67 times, with 31 wins of Uruguay, Paraguay has 23 wins and 13 draws. Uruguay scored 104 and Paraguay goals 89 times.
  - For the Copa America were 24 matches with 13 wins of Uruguay, Paraguay has six wins and five draws. Uruguay scored 50 times and Paraguay scored 32 goals.
  - Top scorer of the clash in the Copa America is the Uruguayan Héctor Castro, with 4 goals.
  - The teams never faced each other at the final.
  - The Paraguayan national team has not won Uruguay in the Copa America since 64 years ago. In this period were 13 games, with eight wins and five draws of the Celeste.
  - When the teams met in the qualifying rounds, Uruguay won. In 1999, in the quarter-finals, the game ended tied at 1-1, went to the penalties and Celeste won by 5-3. The other game was in 2004, also for the quarterfinals, and finished 3-1 to Uruguay.
  - The Paraguayan national team comes to a final after 34 years when they won the Copa America in 1979.
  - For the first time in this new format of the Copa America, that happened since 1993, a selection reaches the final of the tournament without winning a single match. Paraguay drew the fifth game the team did against Ecuador (0-0), Brazil (2-2) Venezuela (3-3), Brazil (0-0) and Venezuela (0-0).
  - Paraguay is the most "foreign" out of the 12 participants, with three Argentines in the squad, plus the coach Gerardo Martino.
  - Uruguay is the team that participated in more Copa America editions, going 41 times.
  - The Celeste is also the most time champion, along with Argentina, with 14 titles. As the host selection has been eliminated, Uruguay has the chance to become the biggest winner.
  - On the other hand the Paraguayan national team has won twice in 1953 and 1979.
  - The referee Salvio Spinola Fagundes already refereed two games in this edition. The duels were Argentina 0-0 Colombia and Chile 1-0 Peru.
  
  The last duel:
  In the last duel, Paraguay won Uruguay for the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers. The victory by 2-0, took place in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 2009. The goals were scored by Diego Forlan and Diego Lugano.
  
  
  Source: ca2011.com