LA PLATA, July 2, 2011 (AFP) - Brazil will approach their Copa America opener against Venezuela with caution here on Sunday after seeing arch-rivals and hosts Argentina held 1-1 by lowly Bolivia on Friday.
Venezuela, ranked 68th in the world, are well
used to being the whipping boys of their continent but Bolivia have already shown that success requires more than turning on the 'jogo bonito' (beautiful game).
Brazil will thus be on their guard in the knowledge that their opponents reached the quarter-finals last time out, albeit at home.
Moreover, Venezuela nudged Peru and Bolivia down to the bottom of the rankings in the last regional World Cup qualifying tournament, proving that the baseball-loving Caribbean nation are no mugs with the ball at their feet these days.
Brazil coach Mano Menezes, in his first tournament in charge after succeeding the maligned Dunga last summer, says he knows there is a certain "pressure" to deliver a third straight continental crown, as well as show the Selecao are on track for their own World Cup in 2014.
"But I am feeling calm, as we have been working very well. A little tension is normal at the start of a tournament," Menezes told reporters on Friday at the team base in Campana, north of Buenos Aires.
Menezes says he wants to take the game to the Venezuelans but is aware that shocks can and do occur -- witness the fact that Cesar Farias' men managed a goalless draw in Brazil in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
"They will do their utmost to make life difficult for Brazil," Menezes predicted. "We will have to dictate the pace and play well."
Pace should not be in short supply and with a three-pronged attack in the shape of Robinho, Alexandre Pato and Neymar waiting to spring on their rivals, the outcome should be a formality.
"We know where we are and what we are about in facing Venezuela at the Copa America," says Menezes, who is refusing to think about the latter stages of the event.
"We do not have to think about either Argentina or Uruguay as they are not our current rivals. For now it's about the group -- Venezuela, Paraguay and Ecuador," concluded Menezes.
After Venezuela, the auriverde go up against Paraguay in Cordoba, where they will then complete their group programme against Ecuador on July 13.
Venezuela, ranked 68th in the world, are well
used to being the whipping boys of their continent but Bolivia have already shown that success requires more than turning on the 'jogo bonito' (beautiful game).
Brazil will thus be on their guard in the knowledge that their opponents reached the quarter-finals last time out, albeit at home.
Moreover, Venezuela nudged Peru and Bolivia down to the bottom of the rankings in the last regional World Cup qualifying tournament, proving that the baseball-loving Caribbean nation are no mugs with the ball at their feet these days.
Brazil coach Mano Menezes, in his first tournament in charge after succeeding the maligned Dunga last summer, says he knows there is a certain "pressure" to deliver a third straight continental crown, as well as show the Selecao are on track for their own World Cup in 2014.
"But I am feeling calm, as we have been working very well. A little tension is normal at the start of a tournament," Menezes told reporters on Friday at the team base in Campana, north of Buenos Aires.
Menezes says he wants to take the game to the Venezuelans but is aware that shocks can and do occur -- witness the fact that Cesar Farias' men managed a goalless draw in Brazil in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
"They will do their utmost to make life difficult for Brazil," Menezes predicted. "We will have to dictate the pace and play well."
Pace should not be in short supply and with a three-pronged attack in the shape of Robinho, Alexandre Pato and Neymar waiting to spring on their rivals, the outcome should be a formality.
"We know where we are and what we are about in facing Venezuela at the Copa America," says Menezes, who is refusing to think about the latter stages of the event.
"We do not have to think about either Argentina or Uruguay as they are not our current rivals. For now it's about the group -- Venezuela, Paraguay and Ecuador," concluded Menezes.
After Venezuela, the auriverde go up against Paraguay in Cordoba, where they will then complete their group programme against Ecuador on July 13.
Probable lineups of the selections:
Brazil: 1-Julio Cesar, 2-Daniel Alves, 3-Lucio, 4-Thiago Silva and 6-Andre Santos, 5-Lucas Leiva, 8-Ramires 10-Ganso, 7-Robinho, 9-Alexandre Pato and 11-Neymar. Coach: Mano Menezes.
Venezuela: 22-Dani Hernandez, 16-Roberto Rosales, 20-Grenddy Perozo, 4-Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, 6-Gabriel Cichero, 8-Tomas Rincon, 14-Franklin Lucena, 11-Cesar Gonzalez, 18-Juan Arango, 23-Salomon Rondón and 7-Miku. Coach: Cesar Farias.
The stars of the game:
Brazil: The "canary" team has the most wanted played of the worldwide football, who has been wanted by the European market, Neymar. The 19-year-old striker is the bet of the new national team, containing young players, but high quality. Another young talent is Paulo Henrique Ganso. Ganso, who plays for Santos, same as Neymar, is responsible for lead in his back the shirt 10, which once was Pele’s. Alexandre Pato, Daniel Alves and Robinho are other great players of the team.
Venezuela: The Venezuelan side has as the great hope of winning Juan Arango. The striker, 31, is the team captain and has many years’ experience playing in Europe. Another star of the team is defender Jose Manuel Rey. Rey is the most capped player in history, with 111 games. Giancarlo Maldonado and Salomón Rondón are the other bets of the "vinotinto."
Curiosities of Confrontation:
- This confrontation has happened 20 times, with 18 wins for Brazil, one victory of Venezuela and a tie. Brazil has scored 82 goals, Venezuela six.
- For the Copa America, were 5matches, with 5 wins for Brazil. Brazil scored 25 times and Venezuela scored just one goal.
- The top scorer of the Copa America clash with three goals is Palhinha.
- In the last game between the teams in the Copa America, had as great moment the first goal of Ronaldinho Gaucho for the national team.
- The average goals of this confrontation is 4.4 goals / match.
- Jose Manuel Rey, defender of Venezuela, will play his sixth Copa America in a roll.
- Venezuela is the only South American who has never played a FIFA World Cup.
- Brazil's defender and captain Lúcio is the player who played the most for the 'amarelinha' between the capped players, with 101 matches. Even so, he never disputed a Copa America.
The last duel:
In the last duel, Brazil and Venezuela tied. The draw without goals, held in Campo Grande, Brazil, was in 2009. The game was valid for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire