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World Cup Preview – Brazil

By on May 31, 2014

Brazil, hosts and favorites to win the tournament, face incredible pressure to win. Alex Morgan previews.

Brazil

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Toronto FC, on loan from QPR), Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Atletico Mineiro).

Defenders: Marcelo (Real Madrid), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (AS Roma), Maxwell, Thiago Silva (both Paris St-Germain), David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich), Henrique (Napoli).

Midfielders: Paulinho (Tottenham Hotspur), Ramires , Willian, Oscar (all Chelsea), Hernanes (Inter Milan), Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Fernandinho (Manchester City).

Forwards: Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk), Neymar (Barcelona), Fred (Fluminense), Jo (Atletico Mineiro), Hulk (Zenit St Petersburg).

Standby: Diego Cavalieri (Fluminese) Miranda, Filipe Luis (both Atletico Madrid), Rafinha (Bayern Munich), Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Lucas Moura (Paris St-Germain), Alan Kardec (Sao Paulo).

Brazil undoubtedly carry a burden that no other team at the tournament can even imagine having upon their shoulders; the Brazilians will be performing in front of a home crowd desperate to reclaim the title they last won in 2002. And, not only that, if the Brazilians were to disappoint, in other words, not win, then the country already rioting against the tournament could only be further angered. If, though, Luiz Scolari’s side do win the title, they might unite their country. They have no better incentives than any other side to win, but no bigger consequences from not doing so.

Strengths:
The Selecao cannot be better set up to win. Unlike almost every other country in the tournament, the Brazilians can deal with the hot and humid climate of the country.  To only further support their home advantage, their squad is one of the youngest in the competition – the oldest outfield player in the squad is only 32.

They also have been handed a beatable group; Cameroon, Croatia, and Mexico are their opponents in Group A. Although they have a high possibility of meeting Spain or the Netherlands, 2010’s finalists, in the Second Round, the Brazilians won’t be afraid to take the attacking initiative in any of their games. With an attack spoiled with the likes of Neymar, Oscar, and Hulk up top, they have everything, from flare to finishing.

Yet their defense is massively underrated. Thiago Silva and David Luiz lead as center-backs, while Marcelo, Dani Alves, and Maxwell are all pushing for a starting position as fullbacks.

Weaknesses:
While the pressure on their backs can be a good driving point, it can also become too much to bear for some players. This is why having such a young, inexperienced squad can also hurt Brazil. Although many of their squad tested themselves at the top international level at the Confederations Cup last summer, a majority are yet to play in a World Cup.

Key Player:
He was their main man at the Confederations Cup last summer, and once again Neymar will be the jewel of the Brazilian crown. A year into his move to Barcelona, the 22-year-old is yet to win any European silverware, but couldn’t be in better form himself coming into the World Cup. From free-kicks to finishing, Neymar will be Brazil’s most watched player – for a reason.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.