Brazil vs Mexico Preview

Topics: Javier Hernandez, David Luiz, Neymar

Hosts Brazil take on Olympic 2012 gold medalists Mexico in their second match of this year’s Confederations Cup.

Team News

UPDATE: Starting lineups confirmed:

Mexico Starting 11: Corona; Mier, Rodríguez, Moreno, Torres Nilo; Flores, Torrado, Salcido, Guardado; Giovani; Chicharito

Brazil Starting 11: J. César, D Alves, Thiago Silva, D. Luiz, Marcelo; Gustavo, Paulinho; Neymar, Oscar, Hulk; Fred.

Brazil are expected to retain the same line-up which humbled Japan 3-0 in the opening match at Estádio Nacional de Brasília. Lucas Moura and Atlético Mineiro striker Jo put up fine displays after coming off the bench and might be given a run out during the match on Wednesday.

Oribe Peralta whose brace downed Brazil last time the two sides met in the London Olympics 2012, is not part of the Mexican Confederations Cup squad. However Mexico’s goal machine Javier Hernandez, who is fifth in the list of the most goals scored by a Mexican player on the international stage is set to lead the attack once again and will be hoping to continue his fine form for the national side.

Mexico head coach José Manuel De la Torre will be enticed to make changes to his starting line-up after losing their opening match against Italy, another loss for El Tri will further reduce their chances to make it to the next round of the tournament. Gerardo Flores and Jesús Zavala were two of the players to have put disappointing showings against Italy and might be demoted to the bench for Mexico’s second game of the tournament.

Analysis

Brazil will enter the field as definite favourites for the match against Mexico, however following the heart break they suffered in the Olympics Brazil will be keen to avoid any further upsets against their opponents.

Mexico will be relying on the goal scoring abilities of Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez to guide them towards victory against the Samba giants. Chicharito has scored 33 goals for his national side and will be eager to better his tally on Wednesday. The 25 year old has spent most of last season on the bench for Man United despite his impressive goal scoring rate and will be determined to send out a message to his new boss David Moyes with a fine performance against the Seleção.

Hernandez is a natural poacher and can make devastating runs into the box to cause havoc in the opposition half. Chelsea centre half David Luiz will be responsible to keep the “little pea” at bay. Luiz having played against Hernandez on a number of occasions in the Premier League will be aware of his strengths and should be attentive to deny Hernandez much space in the box.

Luiz justified his place in the squad ahead of Bayern Munich’s Champions League winning centre back Dante with a fine performance against Japan and will have to repeat his antics against Mexico if he is to retain his place in the Brazilian starting eleven.

Brazil’s pugnacious attacking force will surely worry the Mexican defence which was fairly organised for the majority of the match against Italy, but failed to cluster together in the ending moments allowing Balotelli to score the winner. They will have to put up a much better performance as a unit to salvage anything out of Wednesday’s game against Brazil.

Brazil’s golden child Neymar registered the first goal of the campaign with a fine volley against Japan. He capped his wonderful goal with a fine performance and was a regular threat to the Japanese defense. Mexico will surely need to devise a plan to keep the new Barcelona man quiet who is certain to prove his undoubted talent to the world.