"In Venezuela today, the game matters more than the result"

 
What do you think you will meet in Copa America?
I wait for a well organized event, with comfortable and modern stadiums, and passion in the stands. Argentina is a country that, by culture and tradition of football, faithfully represents the values that the Copa America shows. From here we hope to see a festival of football.

What expectations are in Venezuela while there are 83 days left?
The Expectations are enormous. The national team went through a generational change in the past year and a half. Venezuelan players competing in leagues overseas are growing. And the requirements around the Vinotinto have also grown exponentially. Venezuela looks to the Copa America as the first measurement point of this team and its coaching staff, in a year that also begins the qualifiers for Brazil 2014.

You were the Director of Communications of the Cup in Venezuela. Can you share that experience?
Venezuela is a country that lived in the last decade the growth of the national team and that getting s positioned well in the same level of South American teams. Domestically, the lack of consistent scenarios was always a factor that affected the development of football as a spectacle. Copa America left that legacy and be part of this project was a privilege. The media attention to comply with the requirements of national and international press, and set a high standard infrastructure and support for the media at all stages. The projected image brought huge benefits and the country was fully opened to a sport increasingly accepted by the Venezuelans.

What growth there was in the Venezuelan football after the completion of the Cup?
The growth occurred primarily in infrastructure. Appropriate stadiums now have high-capacity, allowed the Venezuelan football to an undeniable leap in quality. Even with the poor organization, the Cup was a turning point that marked the Venezuelan reality of football today.

With what mentality do you face this Cup? What about the group which will play?
Venezuela has set itself the goal of transcending the group stage. That was the speech of Cesar Farias and of the direction. Reality speaks, however, a tough series against heavier opponents and of tradition (Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay) to what will be very hard to overcome. Personally I think the Vinotinto shall examine more closely related to their performance and level of play, with the results, these may accompany if the first response to the expectations, but it will not be fundamental to measure the success or failure given the level of the rivals.

Venezuela will play in La Plata and Salta, was there contact? What is known about these cities?
The Vinotinto establish its headquarters in Salta. There have already reserved a place of concentration and expected to join with people of that province to achieve adaptation and acceptance. Of La Plata is known a magnificent stadium. In Salta, the bonhomie of the people and climatic conditions, at the time of year to be played, will involve a process of fine tuning with the necessary anticipation.

Who is the figure of the cup? And the team’s revelation? Why?
It's hard not to think about Lionel Messi when making such projections. It will be a decisive player in the new Argentina's national team. Neymar is another player to follow. This could be the tournament that lets you take off and bring it to Europe. In Venezuela, it will be interesting to observe the evolution of Salomon Rondon, a forward who shines with Malaga in Spain.
The revelation could be Colombia. A generation that has made successful career in Europe and could uncover in the Copa America with results returned to the coffee’s team to positions of prominence it once had.


Do you think it will be a successful Copa America?
I have no doubts. Argentina is a nation with a tradition of hosting such events. There will be popular support for the choice of the venues take the Cup to every corner. It was a good idea to expand the territory of the competition, we did well in that regard, we hope to do well.

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