vs. Location: Estadio Olímpico da la UCV, Caracas Brazil roster: Goleiros: Alisson, Ederson, Weverton Laterais: Danilo, Emerson, Alex Sandro, Guilherme Arana Zagueiros: Eder Militão, Lucas Veríssimo, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva Meio-campistas: Casemiro, Edenílson, Everton Ribeiro, Fabinho, Fred, Gerson, Lucas Paquetá Atacantes: Antony, Gabigol, Gabriel Jesus, Matheus Cunha, Neymar, Raphinha, Vinicius Júnior With 8 wins in 8 matches and 1 suspended match whose fate remains undetermined, Brazil's national team visits Venezuela for the first of a three-leg series of WCQ fixtures - a triple round which is almost guaranteed to end with Brazil mathematically qualified for the 2022 World Cup. Tite will count on players he was forced to cut from the roster due to an imbroglio in September with pitted CBF vs. FA clubs. Now, with his preferred choice of players, most of whom are in UEFA, Tite will be able to deploy a team which will give the Venezuelan hosts a very difficult match. Venezuela has improved over the past several years, with a 0-0 draw against Brazil in the 2019 Copa América. However, in the qualifying tournament en route to Qatar 2022, Venezuela has struggled and is in last place, as it has 1 win, 1 draw, and 7 defeats, having scored 5 goals while conceding 15. Neymar will fulfill a one-match suspension, and Gabriel Jesus will return to the roster and probably to the starting line-up. Venezuela has never defeated Brazil in WCQ or in any official match, although it secured a 2-0 win in a 2008 friendly. Brazil has been training in next-door Colombia, to which it will return as the next match for Brazil will be against that country's team on October 10.
Starting line-up is confirmed. Game starts in 30 or so. Alisson; Danilo, Thiago SIlva, Marquinhos, Arana; Fabinho, Gérson, Paquetá, Éverton Ribeiro; Gabriel Jesus, Gabigol
Soteldo - the one player on their team who knows Brazilian soccer well. Scores with a nice header. Two of our defenders.... slipped and fell.
Gabigol giving Tite tactical advice. I can already tell Tite's critics will latch onto that scene after the game.
This game is dangerously close to losing my attention. I don't know what Tite has been thinking for a while now.
Galvão Bueno has repeatedly said the locker room pep talk by Tite during halftime will be good. The team will likely show lampejos early in the second half.
That's optimistic. I mean, we certainly need it, the team needs a wake-up call. I hope we change a lot and score a few... I'm afraid we won't change much but we'll get a goal or two... I don't even want to consider a loss.
Everton should have shot at goal in his chance. Probably trying to get Gabigol a goal because that pass wasn't really there.
Raphinha in for Éverton would be more interesting if he changed the offensive shape... but with Gabriel Jesus and Gabigol still in it's just a like for like substitution.
Raphinha bringing a little more aggressiveness so far. I'd take Jesus or Gabigol out and put Vin Jr. on the left and whoever stays in center.
So we have Vini and Raphinha... and both Gabriel Jesus and Gabigol on the field now. So I guess it's 4 forwards now, with Gérson and Fabinho in the middle.
Sub: Vin Jr <==> Paquetá 4 Forwards then. Lets see how they line up. Vin Jr typically plays on the left.
I never get 4-2-4 with 2 mids who can't pass that well. It's always a desperate move. Maybe the FBs can help with something.