It certainly couldn’t have been more crunching than that. This highly anticipated fixture falls at a moment when Argentina really need to put their World Cup campaign back on track, when the Brazilian look so confident and strong following their cup success in July, when the rivalry between Real Madrid’s superstar Kaka and Lionel Messi – now Europe’s best footballer of the year – has reached its peak.
It is difficult to pick up a favorite in this fixture although it is true that most people will go in for Brazil.
The Samba boys seem to have found their tonic after lifting the Confederations Cup trophy in South Africa two months ago.
It has been long since Brazil experienced defeat under Dunga. It takes us back to June 2008 when they endured their first defeat of this qualifying campaign.
Since then, things have shaped differently in the table. The 2002 World Cup Champions now top the group with 27 points from 14 games, and 5 points ahead of Argentina who seat fourth in the table.
An unconvincing goalless draw was all that both teams could manage in Brazil last year. Fans will definitely expect something better to come from their respective sides this time round.
Argentina: Not time to be charmed by the samba dance
Argentina’s World Cup winning captain, Diego Maradona, is experiencing strange things with his team. The 48-year-old coach enjoyed a bright start to his managerial career with the Albiceleste but these sweet moments now know some bitterness.
Two emphatic losses in three qualifiers is absolutely not the best result for the Argentines who are already looking forward to lifting the World Cup trophy in South Africa.
Expectations
A recent survey on the internet revealed that Brazilian people tip Argentina’s Lionel Messi well ahead of their own star Kaka in terms of skill value. However, the numbers of this poll will not count come September 5. What will matter for Messi’s Argentina is the result at the end of the 90 minutes.
The recently crowned European footballer of the Year is expected to dazzle against Brazil in this upcoming titanic clash. Messi was guilty of missing clear chances against Bolivia and Ecuador earlier this year. The young troublemaker will try not to repeat these mistakes against Brazil’s defense which includes the likes of Lucio and Maicon.
After a satisfactory 3-2 victory over Russia in August, Diego Maradona will be working around Argentina’s back line in order to repair the team’s problems in defense to boost Argentina’s chances of beating Brazil.
Brazil: The stars are many to be counted
Kaka, Robinho, Elano, Daniel Alves, Lucio, Maicon, Julio Cesar, Luis Fabiano… Well, so many star names make the Brazilian team as big as it is.
They are all heroes of a successful Confederations Cup campaign in South Africa.
Adding to this list of superstars will be Inter Milan’s former striker, Adriano.
The forward has been called up by Dunga for Brazil’s qualifiers against Argentina and Chile after impressing with a tally of 10 goals in 16 games for his current club Flamengo.
How emotional of a return could this be for Adriano?
The striker is particularly sensational against Argentina. Good memories for Brazilian fans can recall Adriano’s injury time equalizer in the final of the Copa America in 2004 which Brazil eventually won.
In the final of the 2005 Confederations Cup in Germany, Adriano scored a brace to help Brazil humiliate their hot rivals Argentina by four goals to one.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s Lucas has also been added to the roster.
Brazil’s full squad for September’s qualifiers:
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Victor (Gremio)
Defenders: Andre Santos (Fenerbahce), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (Inter Milan), Filipe (Deportivo La Coruna), Lucio (Inter Milan), Luisao (Benfica), Miranda (Sao Paulo), Juan (AS Roma)
Midfielders: Elano (Galatasaray), Felipe Melo (Juventus), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg), Ramires (Benfica), Julio Baptista (AS Roma), Kaka (Real Madrid), Lucas (Liverpool)
Forwards: Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Villarreal), Robinho (Manchester City), Adriano (Flamengo)
