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The outstanding fixture of Group A in the Confederations Cup between Italy and Brazil will be contested at the Arena Fonte Nova on Saturday. It is perhaps best for the competition that both the teams have secured their semi-final berths already with two victories against Mexico and Japan. This game will allow both the teams an opportunity to test themselves against a quality opposition before going into the business end of the tournament. On the other hand, both teams will be aware of the fact that it is not an inconsequential match. Italy and Brazil would not want to meet Spain before the finals, and hence topping the group will be a priority.
Brazil come into this game without having conceded any goal in the previous two matches. They have not been flawless, but have had their positives. Their formation looks settled and not much tinkering with the playing XI will be required. Neymar has hit a purple patch and is in goal-scoring form. On the other hand, Italy suffered at the hands of Japan for the most part in their rather fortunate 4-3 win. Cesare Prandelli looks unsure of the balance of his team as he started with Alberto Aquilani in the game against Japan, but withdrew him soon after. Italy’s worn out legs will be thoroughly tested against the youth of the Selecao.
Here is a list of five players who will be critical to the eventual result of the fixture:
5. Andrea Pirlo
The Italian architect would usually find a place much higher in this list, but his stellar performance against Mexico was followed by a damp squib against Japan. He failed to dictate the pace of the game for Italy and looked out of sorts. He was slow on the ball and even worse off it. The Japanese midfielders disrupted his distribution and he looked his age on the day, which is an ominous sign for Italy. He will have a major task on hand against the likes of Spain and Brazil, who will not allow him to slow down the tempo of the game.
4. Oscar
The Chelsea player is becoming more and more central to Luiz Felipe’s organisation, but he had a rough night against El Tri in spite of the team’s victory. He was eventually substituted after a lacklustre performance. He seemed reluctant to get on the ball and was invisible for a major part of the match. Fortunately for him, Brazil came away with a win but he will have to do much more in the game against Italy. He has shown that he can be the imaginative force of that midfield as he was against France and then against Japan. Now, he needs to do it again against the Azzurri.
3. Daniele De Rossi
De Rossi filled in for Pirlo against Japan. It was his contribution in the game that ensured Italy came out on the right side of the goal-fest. He contributed with a goal and an assist in that game; but more importantly, he took the game in his hands when it seemed that it would slip away. He hindered the movement of the Japanese midfield with his physicality. He made some important defensive tackles and did nothing wrong. He will be key for Italy if they have to save the blushes against Brazil.
Super Mario has been on the score-sheet for Italy in both the games. His goal-scoring form is one important positive for Italy in a rather shapeless campaign so far. He was particularly dangerous against Japan with his physical strength, troubling the Japanese center-backs, and they continued to struggle against him for most of the game. He was secure from the spot when it mattered, but he will have to do more at the head of Italy’s formation against Brazil. He will have to muscle his way through Thiago Silva and David Luiz.
1. Neymar
The poster boy of the Selecao has not put a foot wrong in this competition, justifying all the media buzz around him prior to the event. He has got the goals for Brazil; but more importantly, he has got them in a particularly uplifting way, as his strikes, both stunning volleys, came within the first 10 minutes of the match. He has the temperament of a leader as he runs around like a bundle of energy on the pitch, egging the crowd on to cheer the home team vociferously. The game against Mexico was a special one for him, being described as his best performance in the famous yellow shirt so far. He was the dominant force on the pitch, winding the affair with an assist to Jo. He will be targeted by Cesare Prandelli and a tactical arrangement will be installed to quell the threat that he poses.
