Saudi Arabia is about to play host to one of the biggest national team clashes in football, as the Selecao of Brazil lock horns with the Albiceleste of Argentina today in one of their Middle East tour. Though it's a friendly match as the news carries it, but trust me, both teams always sees their clash as a must win game, and that makes each of their duel to watch.
Argentina had earlier humbled Iraq last week Thursday in a 4-0 win match as they continue their Middle east tour. Brazil also refused to go without a win last Friday in a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia. Tension is beginning to mount at the King Addullah Sports City in Saudi Arabia, as fans awaits the kick off. Most times, The Brazil vs Argentina games is seen as the South American Clasico, and whether it's a friendly match matters very little.
The rivalry between the Samba boys and Argentina has a long history. Both teams have encountered each other 104 times so far with Brazil winning 40, Argentina taking a share of 38 wins and both settling for a draw 26 times. The first game between Brazil and Argentina dates back to September 1914, the match saw Argentina beat Brazil in a 3-0 match. Funny enough it was also an international friendly match which was played at Buenos Aires. Their most resent game also saw Argentina beat Brazil in a 0-1 friendly match which was played on 9th June 2017 at Melbourne.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Another Opportunity For Dybala To Prove His Mettle.
The young Argentine's full potential is yet to be felt by the Argentina National team, as Coaches find it quite tasking playing him and Lionel Messi in the same line up. The Five Times Ballon d'Or Winner doesn't seem like he will wane any time soon, as he continues to be Argentina's talisman over the years. His dominance and presence in the team is enough motivation
Paulo Dybala is one of the best young players in the world, but with Christiano Ronaldo now in Juventus, the young player will need to be exceptional for the world to continue seeing his full potentials. The arrival of Ronaldo meant the Argentine forward had to fall a bit deeper into the Midfield. But it doesn't seem his task ends with Juventus, as he has to compete with Lionel Messi's masterclass form in the Argentina national team. Messi will not be playing today's match and Dybala is handed another chance to prove his coaches wrong.
Dybala believes Messi and Ronaldo are extraordinary players, and is sometimes tempted to see them as more than mortals.
"Messi and Cristiano are beyond the norm. My objective is to be first among the humans. Overtake them? For that to be the case, Messi and Ronaldo would need to be at the twilight of their careers, but they are still doing extraordinary things,” Dybala said.
Though Dybala is one of the best players in the world, he still has a big problem facing him in his career, and that is how he can gain recognition along side the duo on the pitch. He needs their absence to shine and today is another chance for him. He has been able to step up in Ronaldo's absence so far in Juventus, but not in Argentina when Messi is not around. He needs to show that he is the future for the Argentine team.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Available Team Squad.
With the 2019 Copa America in view, the resent games actually goes a long way to help the coaches experiment on the team, as they have the flexibility of testing new players along the line. A lot of big names will be missing in today's clash from both sides, however Brazil looks more solid with some of their regular players. Am predicting Brazil to win 2-1 today.
Argentina Squad.
GoalKeepers: Romero, Herrera, Rulli.
Defenders: Saravia, Kannemann, Otamendi, Tagliafico, Bustos, Pezzella, Acuna, Fines Mori, Foyth.
Midfielders: Ascacibar, Battaglia, Meza, Paredes, Pareyra, Salvio, Vazquez, Lo Celso Cervi, De Paul.
Forwards: Dybala, Martinez, Simeone, Correa, Icardi.
The Argentina Squad witnesses the missing of top players like Messi, Sergio Aguero, Di Maria, Higuan and Rojo. Their absence will afford the likes of Icardi and Dybala to shine in the team.
Brazil Squad:
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Ederson, Phelipe.
Defenders: Miranda, Danilo, Militao, Fabinho, Sandro, Pablo, Marquinhos, Luis.
Midfielders: Coutinho, Arthur, Walace, Casemiro, R. Augusto, Fred.
Forwards: Jesus, Neymah, Malcolm, Richardlison, Firmino, Lucas.
Though one may say that the Brazilian team is almost a full squad, however big names like Willian, Thiago Silva etc are missing.
Comments