Squad Sheet: Men to Watch , Debutants, Analysis: Brazil vs Italy

The most successful team in the history of football plays the second most successful team in the history of football, that too, after a long wait of four years. Here is a statistical, emotional, analytic view of the encounter where two absolute power houses of international football compete. 

 Squad Sheet for Brazil:

Player	International Apps
Julio Cesar (QPR)	65
Diego Cavalieri (Fluminense)	1
Dani Alves (Barcelona)	60
Marcelo (Real Madrid)	16
Filipe Luis (Atletico de Madrid)	2
David Luiz (Chelsea)	19
Dede (Vasco de Gama)	6
Dante (Bayern Munich)	1
Thiago Silva (Paris Saint Germain)	31
Jean (Fluminense)	2
Fernando (Gremio)	1
Luiz Gustavo (Bayern Munich)	2
Kaka (Real Madrid)	85
Hernandes (Lazio)	8
Oscar (Chelsea)	13
Neymar (Santos)	28
Fred (Fluminense)	20
Hulk (Zenit St. Petersburg)	18
Diego Costa (Atletico de Madrid)	0

Notable Absentees: 

Ramires: Injured due to a right muscle strain, will not feature in this match and possibly the next frienly as well.

Analysis:

The team is well setup for a tight defense, flair in midfield and potent quick forwards. This Brazilian team is not all samba like the Brazil of old. It is a fine mixture of control, flair, potency, and threat all around the pitch. The full-backs in Marcelo and Dani Alves are the finest in their position, and both may not seem to be too interested in defending but their attacking potency makes up for it. The midfield is going to be led by the magician Kaka, who has a point to prove to the national team coach Scolari and this is the moment for him to stamp his mark on the national side for a possible ticket to World Cup 2014. We have all heard about Neymar, but Hulk is not going to go unnoticed either. He is my man to watch for this encounter as far as attacking is concerned for Brazil, and in defense they will look for inspiration from Thiago Silva. What a fantastic Defender he is!

Debutants:

Diego Costa:
Position: Striker
Red hot form, and goals galore are the reason for this Brazilian's call-up to the squad. He is the typical Center Forward and Target man that Brazil can rely upon if their "little magicians" up front are bottled down. Against a power full Italian side, he may provide something of a different option to the already present armor of forwards at Brazil.

Osvaldo
Position: Winger/Forward
Another pacy winger coming from the Brazilian ranks, he is possibly a cover to the already present wing-men at the squad. Explosiveness, agility and pace are his attributes and when the opposition is tired, he can provide pace to attack them.

 

 

 

Squad Sheet for Italy:

Player	International Apps
Gianluigi Buffon(Juve)	124
Federico Marchetti(Lazio)	8
Giorgio Chiellini(Juve)	57
Andrea Barzagli (Juve)	39
Leonardo Bonucci (Juve)	24
Christian Maggio(Napoli)	22
Andrea Ranocchia (Inter)	9
Iganazio Abate(Milan)	8
Davide Astori (Cagliari)	3
Luca Antonelli (Genoa)	2
Mattia De Sciglio (Milan)	0
Andrea Pirlo (Juventus)	95
Daniele De Rossi (Roma)	83
Ricardo Montilivo (Milan)	41
Claudio Marchisio (Juve)	31
Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna)	9
Antonio Candreva (Lazio)	6
Mario Balotelli (Milan)	17
Alberto Gilardino (Bologna)	48
Sebastian Giovinco (Juve)	14
Pablo Osvaldo (Roma)	7
Stephan el Shaarawy (Milan)	4

Notable Absentees:

There are no major names missing from that squad as it is what we all expected it to be with the guys in top form and health selected for this friendly.

Analysis:

After a horrible game against Barcelona at the Camp Nou, Stephan El Sharaawy will look for better things at the international stage. The kid is no doubt a revelation but did not quite impress the eye against the mighty Catalans. This is his time to perform and show his capabilities. Ofcourse, when you talk Italy, you have to mention Mario "Maverick" Balotelli. The enigma has been briliant for his new team, AC Milan and is enjoying his football again(his life also). Italians are known for their defense and unlike Brazil they have gone with plenty of experience at the back. With the likes of Chiellini, Abate, Maggio, Barzagli, Bonucci in the team there is plenty of power and experience to stop the samba magic from happening.

Debutants:

Mattia De Sciglio 
Position: Right Full back
The recent form and emergence of De Sciglio has prompted the coach to bring him in to the fold. He can play at both sides of the pitch as a full back, is pacy, technically good, and a versatile footballer. Wearing the no.2 for Milan, he has a bright future ahead of him.
 

Alessio Cerci
Positon: Winger
With the Italian team low on wingers, Cerci gets a justified call-up as he is going magnificiently well for his team Torino. A pacy competitor he is perfect to hit the team on the counters where Pirlo and De Rossi can give ample cover in midfield. He is a utility option to have and may play a role against Brazil.

 


ALL IN ALL GENEVA IS GOING TO WITNESS A TOP TOP LEVEL MATCH WITH THE WINNERS GETTING A HUGE BOOST FOR THEIR UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL GAMES. AFTER FOUR YEARS AZZURRI FACES SAMBA. CAN'T WAIT FOR THE START OF IT! 

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