The long club football season has just finished, but there is no reason for football fans to despair as the Copa America Centenario is just days away. Brazil is one of the traditional football superpowers, but they have seen their dominance wane in the recent past. With Neymar slated to play in the Olympics instead of the Copa America, Brazil will have a tough task at hand to win this prestigious tournament.
We take a look at the 23 man squad and pick the probable starting 11 for the Selecao at the Copa America Centenario. Here is the 23 man squad for Brazil:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Alisson (Internacional, BRA), Diego Alves (Valencia, ESP), Marcelo Grohe (Gremio, BRA) DEFENDERS (8): Dani Alves (Barcelona, ESP), Rodrigo Caio (São Paulo, BRA), Fabinho (Monaco, FRA), Gil (Shandong Luneng, CHN), Filípe Luís (Atlético Madrid, ESP), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), Miranda (Inter Milan, ITA), Douglas (Atlético Mineiro, BRA)MIDFIELDERS (9): Renato Augusto (Beijing Guoan, CHN), Casemiro (Real Madrid, ESP), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool, ENG), Elias (Corinthians, BRA), Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg, GER), Kaka (Orlando City SC), Lucas Lima (Santos, BRA), Lucas Moura (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), Willian (Chelsea, ENG)FORWARDS (3): Gabriel (Santos, BRA), Hulk (Zenit St. Petersburg, RUS), Jonas (Benfica, POR)
Goalkeeper – Diego Alves
Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves will most probably be handed the shot stopping duties for the Selecao at the Copa America. The experienced goalkeeper has had plenty of exposure at the top level having made more than 200 appearances for Valencia and Almeria in the La Liga.
The 30-year old has only had 8 senior caps for Brazil so far, but in the absence of Julio Cesar, he will be looking to make his mark for the national team. Alves is renowned for his shot stopping skills and is calm and composed while dealing with crosses.
An expert at saving penalties, Alves has saved 16 out of the 37 penalties taken against him in La Liga. Dunga will be hoping that the Valencia goalkeeper replicates his club form at the international level.
Defenders
With the surprise exclusion of David Luiz and Thiago Silva, the centre-back responsibilities in all probability will fall to the defensive duo of Marquinhos and Miranda. Marquinhos’ early career was marked by him being identified as a versatile defender, but the subtle nuances of professional and amateur football led to him being rechristened a centre back with the occasional ability to switch to the right, should the team need such a change.
Inter Milan defender Miranda will play a key role in the back 4 partnering Marquinhos. Miranda is a solid no-nonsense type of defender and is very good aerially. Dunga will be relying heavily on his positioning and defensive attributes.
The full-back positions literally pick themselves with Barcelona’s Dani Alves and Atletico Madrid’s Filipe Luis taking the right-back and left-back positions. Alves and Luis will be key in providing an attacking outlet as well as covering defensively for the Selecao.
Alves’ ability to put in inviting crosses from the right-hand side along with Filipe Luis’ defensive solidity makes Brazil’s back 4 a solid defensive unit along with some natural attacking flair.
Midfielders
Luis Gustavo and Real Madrid’s Casemiro will most probably start in the double pivot role for Brazil. The Real Madrid man has been absolutely sensational under Zidane and in the absence of Paulinho, Casemiro is most likely to start.Gustavo's running coupled with Casemiro's destroyer skills will provide great cover to the defensive back four.
In the Central attacking midfielder role, we have Liverpool's little magician Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilan has arguably been Liverpool's best player this season and his knack for something spectacular will keep the Selecao fans on the edge of their seats.Coutinho’s vision, dribbling skills and passing will be key to unlocking rival defences.
The running of Gustavo, the defensive positioning of Casemiro and the creativity of Coutinho makes the midfield of Brazil a formidable one.
Forwards
Hulk and Willian will be looking to provide the pace on the wings and chip in with crucial goals for the Selecao. One of the most experienced members of the Copa squad with 43 appearances, Hulk will be looking forward to making a huge impression in the tournament and a good performance in the Copa might get him a lucrative move away from his club side Zenit.
Willian has been Chelsea's lone bright spark this season and his willingness to work hard for the team has made him a favourite of Dunga. Willian and Hulk will have a huge role to play for the Selecao.
With 51 goals in 62 appearances for Benfica, Jonas has been in fine goalscoring form in the last two seasons. The Brazilian is one of the most clinical finishers in the world and Dunga will be hoping that the Benfica forward replicates his club form for the national side. A forward 3 of Hulk, Willian and Jonas is capable of troubling any defence in the world.
Formation
Brazil will probably line up in a fluid 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3 formation depending on whom they play against. With Kaka and Lucas Moura making the squad in the last minute for Douglas Costa and Rafinha, they can also be viable alternatives if Dunga looks for a change.
The young Santos forward Gabriel has also been in very good form this season and he could prove to be an impact substitute at the Copa. Brazil have flattered to deceive in major international tournaments in the recent past and a good performance in the Copa America will go a long way in revitalising the Brazil national football team.
Do you agree with our starting 11? Let us know who you think should start for the Selecao.
