Lavezzi wants fast start

Argentina striker Ezequiel Lavezzi has said it is vital they get off to a winning start in the Copa America.

The hosts play Bolivia in La Plata on Friday in their first Group A game and Sergio Batista’s team are favourites to win the tournament, but Lavezzi has warned they need to make a flying start to proceedings.

“I think that each one of us knows the importance of this game,” Lavezzi said. “We always have to start on the right foot, it is important.”

“Overall, a competition like this one gives you confidence and all kinds of things that really help the morale.”

“We all know the importance of this game and that is why we will give it our best to win so we can start well.”

“We know that we are favoured, we are conscious of this. And we will also try to gain confidence game by game so that we can have a good tournament.”

Argentina have lost to Brazil in the past two Copa America finals and having gone almost 20 years without a major title, midfielder Fernando Gago said the team is hungry for success.

“Every tournament, every Copa America, or every World Cup that you play, starts with a new illusion, with same desire to win them all,” Gago said.

“You have to take it calmly, but know that we have to try to achieve the objective we are all after.”