FIFA Confederations Cup Semi-final: Brazil Vs Uruguay- Match Preview

Luiz Felipe Scolari gives instructions during a Brazil training session ahead of their FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 Semi Final match against Uruguay

Venue: Belo Horizonte’s, Mineirao stadium

Referee:Enrique Osses

Kick off time: 12:30 (IST)

Probable Starting XI

Brazil : Júlio César, Daniel Alves , Thiago Silva , David Luiz, Marcelo, Luiz Gustavo, Paulinho, Oscar, Hulk, Fred, Neymar.

Uruguay: Muslera, Pereira, Lugano, Godin, Caceres, Gonzalez , Gargano, Perez, Forlan, Suarez, Cavani.

Previous meeting

Brazil 4-0 Uruguay, 16 June 2009

Brazil face Uruguay in Wednesday’s Confederations Cup semifinal at the Belo Horizonte’s Mineirao stadium. The match will prove to be a thriller, with both sides trying to outwit the other. Brazil continue with their quest in search of a third Confederations Cup and have cruised to the final stages of the tournament with a strong defensive display, keeping clean sheets against Japan and Mexico and then beating the Italians in a 4-2 showdown.

Both sides have the talent as well as the capability of scoring plenty of goals, and the match could turn into a battlefield, featuring players of the biggest clubs in the world. It has been 63 years since Uruguay won their famous ‘Maracanazo’ victory, when they defeated the hosts Brazil, 2-1 in the World Cup final of 1950.

The 21-year-old Brazilian sensation, Neymar, couldn’t have found a better time to unveil his bag of skills and tricks, as the striker scored two superb volleys and a dazzling free kick in this tournament. The Canaries have managed to score nine goals in this tournament and concede just twice.

Since the arrival of Big Phil, the Brazilian way of multi-dimensional attacking way of football has made a comeback. Big Phil who will opt for the 4-3-2-1 formation, is unlikely to make any changes to the squad and will be hoping to use his tactical master plan to beat Uruguay and advance to the finals.

“Those three are very powerful forwards.(Edinson Cavani,Diego Forlan,Luis Suarez) Individually, they can decide a game, I know all of them very well and we must pay attention because any lapse in concentration could see them decide the game.This match is even worse than an Argentina-Brazil derby. There is no favourite to win.” Brazilian goalkeeper, JulioCesar told reporters.

Brazilian defender David Luiz is available against Uruguay, recovering from a bruised leg; while Paulinho is likely to return to the starting lineup after missing Brazil’s 4-2 win over Prandelli’s side with an ankle injury. Neymar, who has come to life after wearing the No.10 jersey, will play alongside Hulk and Fred. With Neymar’s pace, Fred’s physical strength and Hulk’s power, Brazil are currently boasting with one of the deadliest attacking team of the tournament.

Uruguayan manager, Oscar Tabarez will be deploying his usual 4-2-3-1 formation against Brazil. The manager was heavily criticized for the tactics he used, after his side’s 2-1 loss against reigning World Champions, Spain, in their group match. With the combined efforts of Cavani, Forlan and Luis Suarez, La Celesta can destroy the winning streak of the Selecao. The Uruguayan defence looks strong under the leadership and partnership of Lugano and Godin.

Captain Diego Lugano returns after serving one-match ban. Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is in fine fettle after netting two goals against Tahiti as well as breaking Forlan’s record of being the all-time top scorer for Uruguay.

Coach Tabarez is likely to stick with the attacking trio of Suarez, Diego Forlan and Edinson Cavani, despite Abel Hernandez’s four goal display against Tahiti.