Cesar – Pressure now off Brazil

Brazil keeper Julio Cesar says the South American giants have eased the pressure that was building on them thanks to their 4-2 win over Ecuador on Wednesday that sets up a quarter-final Copa America clash against Paraguay (Brazil 4/7, Paraguay 5/1, the draw 11/4 with bet365 – match odds).

The victory in their final group game ensured progress into the knockout phase of the competition after Brazil had begun the tournament slowly with two disappointing draws against Venezuela and Paraguay.

However, they appear to now be warming up nicely and Cesar believes they can approach their last-eight showdown in a relaxed manner.

“Now we work quieter, without much pressure, and are relaxed”, he said after the Ecuador victory.

Cesar knows Paraguay are a tough opponent for the five-times world champions on Sunday and they will need to put on a decent display to progress into the last four.

“We cannot relax,” he added. “It is true that Paraguay have not been as good as expected so far, but they can improve.”

The other Copa America quarter-finals this weekend see hosts and outright favourites Argentina take on Uruguay, Chile tackle Venezuela and Colombia meet Peru.

Pressure is for tyres, quips Batista

Sergio Batista has made the surprise admission that he will not consider it a failure if 11/10 ante-post favourites Argentina, spearheaded by Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez, do not win the 2011 Copa America.

The prestigious tournament starts on July 1 with the hosts looking to end an 18-year winless run while also attempting to prevent great rivals Brazil from winning a hat-trick of trophies on Argentinian soil.

The Samba stars have won it four times since Argentina last triumphed in 1993 in Ecuador, but Batista insists he is not under any pressure.

“We are committed to win and we really want that to happen, but I won’t consider a failure if we don’t,” said Batista.

Messi is coming off the back of a La Liga and Champions League-winning season with all-conquering Barcelona and says he is targeting international honours.

“I’m raring to go,” Messi said. “I was lucky enough to win everything with Barcelona and on an individual level, and now my goal is to play in and win the Copa America with Argentina.”

Argentina start their Copa American campaign on July 1 against 14/1 bet365 outsiders Bolivia in La Plata and can be backed at 1/7 to take maximum points.

Argentina squad:

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar/NED), Juan Pablo Carrizo (River Plate), Mariano Andujar (Catania/ITA)

Defenders: Gabriel Milito (Barcelona/ESP), Ezequiel Garay (Real Madrid/ESP), Nicolas Burdisso (Roma/ITA), Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan/ITA), Nicolas Pareja (Spartak Moscow/RUS), Marcos Rojo (Spartak Moscow/RUS), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City/ENG), Fabian Monzon (Boca Juniors/ARG)

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Barcelona/ESP), Lucas Biglia (Anderlecht/BEL), Ever Banega (Valencia/ESP), Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan/ITA), Javier Pastore (Palermo/ITA), Diego Valeri (Lanus), Fernando Gago (Real Madrid/ESP), Enzo Perez (Estudiantes de La Plata)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona/ESP), Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid/ESP), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid/ESP), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli/ITA), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City/ENG), Diego Milito (Inter Milan/ITA)