vs. Location: Arena do Grêmio, Porto Alegre Brazil roster: Goleiros Alisson (Roma-ITA) Cássio (Corinthians) Ederson (Manchester City-ING) Laterais Daniel Alves (PSG-FRA) Filipe Luís (Atlético de Madri-ESP) Alex Sandro (Juventus-ITA) Fágner (Corinthians) Zagueiros Miranda (Inter de Milão-ITA) Marquinhos (PSG-FRA) Thiago Silva (PSG-FRA) Éder Militão (Porto-POR) Meio-campistas Arthur (Grêmio) Allan (Napoli-ITA) Lucas Paquetá (Milan-ITA) Casemiro (Real Madrid-ESP) Fernandinho (Manchester City-ING) Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool-ING) Willian (Chelsea-ING) Atacantes Richarlison (PSG-FRA) Roberto Firmino (Liverpool-ING) Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City-ING) David Neres (Ajax-HOL) Everton (Grêmio)With 2 wins and 1 draw (and a clean sheet - an accomplishment Brazil last had in a Copa América group stage in 1995), Brazil now enters the "death or glory" stage of the competition and almost 1 year after it last did so (when Brazil defeated Mexico in the round of 16 of the 2018 World Cup). But whereas last summer, Brazil set their feet on a faraway pitch in Russia, this Thursday the Brazilian national team plays its sixth consecutive match on home ground (and the fourth straight in this tournament). Following the squad's 5-0 win over Peru, which was the team's finest performance not only in this tournament but arguably since the 2018 World Cup and one of the more dynamic ones during the Tite era, Brazil now faces the same team it faced in 2011 and in 2015 in the very same stage: Paraguay. In 2011, in Argentina, a 0-0 draw resulted in a Paraguay PK shootout victory in which all 4 Brazilians missed. And in 2015, in Chile, after a 1-1 draw, Paraguay again advanced on PKs. In WCQ for 2018, Brazil and Paraguay drew 2-2 in Paraguay in March 2016 after Brazil was down 0-2; later, in March 2017, Brazil routed Paraguay 3-0 at Arena Corinthians. This result contributed to Paraguay's absence from Russia 2018. In the current tournament, Paraguay drew Qatar 2-2 after being up 2-0, nearly beat Argentina 2-1 but due to a failed PK "settled" for a 1-1 draw, and lost to Colombia 0-1. Brazil do look like favorites as it has 8 goals scored and none allowed, will be at home, and have an overall more talented roster. But Paraguay has some good talents of its own, and is fairly solid defensively. Look to Paraguay to bunker for at least parts of the match and then to go on the counterattack with speed on its wings (as it is how it scored against Argentina).
Deja Vu all over again!! Paraguay who has eliminated us in the Copa's '11 and '15 and we don't have Casemiro!! Well we better start practicing our penalties!!
Pitch is apparently having problems. Not only in Arena do Gremio BTW. Fields have been criticized by many teams. But hey, the expensive stadiums are nice and comfortable ...
We could be eliminated, at home, by the most famous Brazilian goalscorer of all-time: "montinho artilheiro". Wouldn't that be something. Hopefully he plays for us, not against us...
Indeed; Allan and Arthur will supposedly start together, which will be the second time this happens. The first was when Brazil defeated Cameroon 1-0 last November. It will be interesting to see how Allan's defensive prowess works with Arthur's playmaking and creativity. We all have reasons to bash Fernandinho but he had a very good season in the Premiership. Barring a major contribution to a World Cup title, that own goal vs. Belgium will haunt him for the rest of his career, though. It was the same with Roberto Carlos for his 1998 theatrics and Rivaldo for the failure to win gold in 1996. After 2002 they were "forgiven."
RC found his way back in the doughouse after 2006, however. I would say Fernandinho's situation is a bit similiar to that of Felipe Melo's. Felipe Melo's lack of composure is the main reason that people attribute to our loss to Holland. The backlash towards Felipe is greater than Fernandinho, but it's fairly similar in my opinion. Felipe at least threaded a beautiful ball to Robinho for our goal vs Holland. Fernandinho was not good for most of the night vs Belgium.
Felipe Melo had good games for us . I don’t remember Fernandinho ever going anything great . Then again , he isn’t really a starter for us . Other than those 2 games versus Germany and Belgium I don’t even remember other games before Copa America that he started. Probably some in qualifying but I do r even remember .
I'm very skeptical of tite now. Using Gabriel Jesus on the right side bothers me, if you want to play him so bad put him in firmino's position. Also Tite basically ignoring paqueta the whole tourney. That was the player i was excited to see.
I was really hoping to see a mid of Casemiro, Arthur and Paqueta with Coutinho pushed out left to occupy Neymar's spot. I agree that he should decide between GJ and Firmino.
He did, but people were still very cautious about him due to his history of lack of temperament. Any time Fernandinho has played for us, he was known for making a crucial mistake and fouling a bunch.
I remember Melo had a red card in a late WCQ game or friendly near the WC. Yep that was a concern, but you'd think in the WC he'd keep it in check. And Dunga's personality and methods didn't help either. In terms of fouling a bunch, it was fine a few years ago, but nowadays it's an issue as yellow cards are easier to get. You still get refs that let things go but not as much as before. I remember we got away with 39 fouls vs Argentina in 2007 CA final. No red cards.
I just hope Thiago Silva don't do anything 'stupid' so he won't be able to play vs Argentina in the Semifinals!!