Copa America Blog, June 26: Pizarro takes a starring role in the travelling circus

El Bombardero, as he is affectionately known in his homeland, returns to the Peru side to face Uruguay in the Copa America today after eight months in the international wilderness. He was suspended by the national side after missing a friendly last October. Pizarro claimed he had been given permission to return to his then club, Bayern Munich, rather than play in the second half of a double header against Chile.

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He vowed never to play for Peru again under coach Franco Navarro. Now, he has a fresh start. Apart from joining Chelsea's band of bargain-basement summer recruits, the 28-year-old is back leading his country's attack under Julio Cesar Uribe.

Unfortunately, Peru's attack is their only real strength. Uribe has to find a way of accommodating talented forwards Pizarro, PSV Eindhoven's Jefferson Farfan, Hamburg's Paolo Guerrero and Roberto Jimenez, who plays for San Lorenzo in Argentina. Barnsley fans staying up late to watch the Copa America might be disappointed to find that their new signing Miguel Mostto struggles to get a look in.

The unbalanced side will need to be firing in the opening match of the tournament against a strong Uruguay side who are many people's third favourites (behind Argentina and Brazil, of course) to win this competition.

Pizarro, after being banned, criticised the directors of the Peru Football Federation. While they have forgiven his indiscretions, the same olive branch has not been extended to Nolberto Solano. The Newcastle United midfielder has been more vociferous in his attacks and there was no place for him on the plane to Venezuela.

Solano has not played for his country for two years after falling out with coach Freddy Ternero. When Uribe took charge earlier this year, Solano eyed a chance to return, saying he would love to play in the Copa America, but it seems he has not yet been forgiven.

After his pleas for a recall were ignored, the 32-year-old decided to go on the attack again. "Uribe did not call me, which he has the right to do," said Solano. "World-class coaches, such as (Chelsea boss) Jose Mourinho, communicate to their players. That is how world-class coaches and people who know about soccer operate.

"I have things left to accomplish for my country, not for the federation. If they decide not to call me up then it is because I have been direct and truthful. What can I do? If Uribe doesn't cap me because of that, well, that is his position. If it is because of something else, like a personal reason, then he should say so."

Uribe quickly tired of the mud-slinging. "Solano needs to dedicate himself to playing," he said. "I'm not going to reply to absurd comments. I want him to be calmer."

The coach may regret not having Solano to pick when he sends his team out to face Uruguay in the beautiful Andean city of Merida. His opponents could be without Inter Milan forward Alvaro Recoba but former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan will certainly strike fear into a weak Peru defence.

Uribe, nicknamed the Diamond from his days as one of his country's greatest players, hopes to invoke the spirit of 1981 in his team. It was 26 years ago that Peru enjoyed one of their finest hours, beating Uruguay 2-1 in Montevideo. The win put Peru on course to qualify for the World Cup in 1982, a feat they have failed to achieve since.

Uribe said: "I said to a Uruguayan journalist that he should remember that dance Now I want my players to emulate it; 1981 was a pretty moment but now it is their turn."

All will not be lost for Peru if they cannot start with a win. They are in the tournament's weakest group alongside hosts Venezuela and outsiders Bolivia, who play each other in San Cristobal.

Venezuela's controversial left-wing president, Hugo Chavez, is expected to be joined on the pitch by his Bolivian counterpart Evo Morales as this tournament looks set to be as much a political football as the beautiful game itself.

The chaotic organisation and worrying security situation was evident just hours before the start of this tournament when the semi-final match due to be played in Caracas on July 10 was moved to Maracaibo. The decision means only one match, the meaningless third-place play-off, will be played in Venezuela's terrifyingly unstable capital.

Chavez has warned he will respond with force to any attempt by his opponents to sabotage this tournament. He sees the hand of the United States in every protest against his regime and has upped the pressure yet further by telling his people to be ready for invasion by the Americans.

The warnings are likely to keep U.S.A. supporters away from this tournament. As they prepare for their opening match against Argentina on Thursday, the U.S. State Department warned fans: "Violent crime, including kidnappings, has increased in Venezuela. In Caracas, violent crime has become an everyday occurrence.

"The murder rate in Caracas is one of the highest in Latin America. Carjackings are frequent and often result in murder. Armed robberies occur in broad daylight throughout the city, including areas generally presumed safe and frequented by tourists."

We can only hope the war will be confined to the football field.