Watch Brazil vs Ivory Coast - World Cup 2010 Match Preview
Being the only leader of their group, the Brazilians are already laughing at everyone on their furious advance. Felipe Melo and Kaka blamed the passive role of the Koreans for their suffered triumph against a relatively easy rival. "This match will be different, for African teams are far more offensive. We'll do it better than ever" he said. Didier Drogba's heroic recovery from an injury in his arm on record time will spice up Sunday's hottest match at the Soccer City.
"We must stop Brazil from making its play. We have to play in a compact formation, all together and fight for every ball" were Salomon Kalou's words a few days before the debut match against Portugal. Lille's Gervinho was the most dangerous man during the debut match, and will probably join Drogba in the last meters, as long as Elephant's historic top striker fully recovers for this decisive clash.
A heroic journey
With 43 goals in 66 matches wearing its National Football Team colors (and 44 in 52 matches with Chelsea), Didi's presence could completely change Sven-Goran Eriksson's perspective of the match, as the Brazilians showed many defensive problems against Korea. Chelsea's striker could become their offensive lighthouse, to take fully advantage of the overwhelming capacities of Bakary Kone and Gervinho.
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Elephant's defense will also pose a problem to the Carioca squad, for the physical advantage and expertise of players like Yaya Toure and Didier Zokora among others can pose a problem to Dunga's squad, as long as Kaka does not take command of the Verdeamarelho's cruise.
Cote D'Ivoire has never tasted a defeat in an official match in the last four years, claiming the top of their group with 8 victories and 4 draws. Without a victory their chances of joining the Best Sixteen will greatly diminish, as long as there's a winner between Portugal and Korea. The advantage of playing on relatively familiar ground might be determinant for this clash. Didier Drogba versus Julio Cesar, who will be the winner?
Back to the roots
In spite of obtaining positive results during the last years (Claiming last year's Copa America, with a solid qualification for this championship), Dunga's scheme has always been criticized, not only by the choices made but also regarding the inconsistency of his formations. Team's debut match against Korea took fully advantage of the Elephant's draw, and now the top of the group will be jealously guarded by the Brazilians, who are aware a victory will secure a ticket for the Knockouts of this competition. A sounding victory against the African squad might erase all these doubts from Brazil's future, but Drogba's team will be a tough nut to crack.
From the left side came most of Brazil's dangerous situation during the debut match. Robinho was unstoppable in the last meters, and even though he had no chance of tasting the net on his own, the depth of his assistances were determinant for Brazil to claim the three points. The king of the step overs was electric and furious: Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue will have a test of fire against who appears to be Brazil's most dangerous striker.
Joining Robinho in the offense, Michael Bastos has shown why Dunga decided to go with him instead than an uncomfortable Dani Alves from the left side. A clear successor of Roberto Carlos, Michael Bastos was omnipresent on the field and was also responsible for taking Brazil's free kicks, Elano's duty during the qualifications. A heavy gunner with endless stamina and an intense desire for the net, he and Maicon offer Brazil a perspective no other team has in this competition.
If Kaka does not show some signs of improvement during the first half, Rome's Julio Baptista might take his place, as The Beast have much to do to sharpen team's offensive. Regarding this matter, Baptista declared last Friday "He's been working hard with this group. Dunga does not want continuous change, he wants stability", but this will matter as long as the Verdeamarelho are not as lost as they were against the Asian rival.
