BRAZIL VS PERU
Brazil is one of the favourites coming into Copa America 2021 which they decided to host after a major Covid outbreak in the continent. Their opponents on the other hand are going through a transitional phase and registered their first win since 2019 when they beat Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier last week.
The hosts are in sublime form coming into the game, winning all eight of their last matches. They defeated a severely covid struck Venezuela 3-0 in their first Group A game with Marquinhos, Neymar, and Barbosa scoring the goals. The defending champions dominated the game and are likely to top their group and advance to the next stage.
Bom dia! Que nota você daria para a estreia da #SeleçãoBrasileira na CONMEBOL @CopaAmerica? Conta pra gente! 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/77VGJRq17l
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) June 14, 2021
Peru will play their first game of the tournament when they face the hosts in Rio de Janeiro. La Blanquirroja reached the final of Copa America 2019 and were defeated by Brazil who lifted the trophy for the ninth time in history. The teams have met twice after the final and both sides won one game each.
¡Grupo completo! 🙌🏻
Tras la llegada de Wilder Cartagena, nuestra @SeleccionPeru 🇵🇪 trabajó con los 26 futbolistas convocados por el profesor Ricardo Gareca.
Más información ▶️ https://t.co/iDeELd6OBy#UnidosSomosMásFuertes#ArribaPerú 💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/ZDPEmGXsfw
— Selección Peruana 🇵🇪 (@SeleccionPeru) June 13, 2021
The underdogs Peru will have a tough time out in the Olympic Stadium facing a star-studded attack led by PSG star man Neymar. Their ageing squad will be tested to the limits by tournament favourites if they aim to scrape something out of the tie.
TEAM NEWS
Brazil’s manager Tite will have a fully fit squad available and will aim to continue their winning run against out-of-form Peru. They will go with the preferred 4-3-3 formation with Jesus, Richarlison and Neymar leading the line. Neymar missed the last edition of Copa America and missed out on lifting the trophy with the rest of the squad but will be key to their functioning this time around.
NEY TÁ ON!
Goleiro para um lado, bola para o outro e mais um gol do nosso camisa 10 😎
🇧🇷 2×0 🇻🇪 | #BRAxVEN #VibraoContinente
Foto: Lucas Figueiredo / CBF pic.twitter.com/CwziSXEaOQ
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) June 13, 2021
Alisson is likely to start over in-form Ederson for his brilliant shot-stopping ability and reflexes.
Brazil’s Probable Lineup: Alisson; Danilo, Militao, Marquinhos, Lodi; Paqueta, Casemiro, Fred; Jesus, Richarlison, Neymar
Ricardo Gareca will have a difficult task getting the right team and tactics against heavyweights Brazil. They will be missing marksman Jefferson Farfan in the tournament who is out for the tournament due to a knee injury.
In-form Renato Tapia and Yoshimar Yotun in the defensive midfield pivot will have to be at their best if Peru aims to hold the star-studded Brazilian attack down.
¡Sigue el trabajo! 👊🏻
Con la incorporación de Santiago Ormeño, nuestra @SeleccionPeru 🇵🇪 cumplió una nueva jornada de entrenamientos en Videna FPF.
Más información ▶️ https://t.co/ZuXJHFwC26#UnidosSomosMásFuertes#ArribaPerú 💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/IaH0jePMuW
— Selección Peruana 🇵🇪 (@SeleccionPeru) June 12, 2021
The latest inductee in the Santiago Ormeno along with his veteran Andrea Carrillo will be the centre of their attacking moves in the preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
Peru’s Probable Lineup: Gallese; Trauco, Abram, Ramos, Corzo; Tapio, Yotun, Carrillo, Cuevo, Aquino, Ormeno
GAME CHANGERS
Brazil’s biggest influence in breaking Peru’s low block will be the Samba king Neymar. The PSG star-man with his superhumanly ball control and ankle-breaking skills can break defences on his own. With the Premier League stars Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus alongside, the 28-year old winger will constantly challenge Peru’s rusty defence.
He made 15 goal involvements in a season that he mostly spent out injured and has scored in all three of his last international outings.
Peruvian hopes for taking something out of the fixture will lie on the 30-year old shoulders of Andrea Carrillo. The winger plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal has been the sole creative output for the physically dominant national team in past years.
He scored three of Peru’s last six goals in the World Cup qualifiers, including a brace against Paraguay to secure their first point in the group.
PREDICTION
The game isn’t shaped to be one of the close-fought battles with Brazil being the clear favourites but Peru’s resilience can’t be underestimated knowing the fact that they finished runners up in the previous edition. La Blanquirojja won’t let Selecao have it easy in their first game and will aim to make a strong statement after the recent form. Despite that, the difference in the quality can is too large to not acknowledge.
FootTheBall predicts a 2-1 win for Brazil, their ninth win on the trot.