BRAZIL vs. CHILE
Round of 16 - Game 1
Round of 16 - Game 1
Date: June 28, 2014
Time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): 48-7-15 Brazil
Last Match: 2013 Friendly. Brazil def. Chile 2-1.
Line: Brazil -200
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.
Team Profiles
World Ranking: Brazil (3rd), Chile (14th)
Managers: Luiz Felipe Scolari (BRA), Jorge Sampaoli (CHI)
Captains: Thiago Silva (BRA), Claudio Bravo (CHI)
World Cup Appearances: 20 (BRA), 9 (CHI)
Best Finish: Brazil (5x Champions, Last in 2002), Chile (Third Place, 1962)
Qualifying Records: Brazil (N/A), Chile (9-6-1, GF: 29, GA: 25)
Previous Game Results
Brazil
June 12th - Brazil def. Croatia 3-1
June 17th - Mexico tied Brazil 0-0
June 23rd - Brazil def. Cameroon 4-1
Chile
June 13th - Chile def. Australia 3-1
June 18th - Chile def. Spain 2-0
June 23rd - Netherlands def. Chile 2-0
Rosters
Chile: Charles Aranguiz (Yellow Card), Gary Medel (Questionable - Muscle Strain), Eugenio Mena (Yellow Card), Francisco Silva (Yellow Card), Arturo Vidal (Yellow Card)
Overview
The knockout round kicks off today in Belo Horizonte as the hosts take on a familiar South American foe in Chile. This is the 71st career meeting between the two sides, with Brazil holding a resounding edge in the series, with just 7 losses to Chile. Brazil also haven't lost to Chile since 2000, 13 matches ago.
Brazil can't expect to walk through this game though, even with home field advantage. This is widely regarded as being one of the top teams Chile have ever put on the field, and their attacking style is poised to exploit a questionable Brazilian defensive four.
This is a game that a casual fan will love. It promises to be fast-paced and should feature plenty of goals as both teams stars will be afforded plenty of space to operate in the offensive third. Neymar is tied for the lead in goals in this tournament and the Brazilian winger has to be licking his chops knowing he will face a 3-man defensive line for Chile. Chile have spread the wealth in their goal-scoring, with 5 different players scoring their 5 group stage goals, but they will be looking to Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal to continue creating plays in the midfield to open up attempts on the Brazilian goal.
Brazil have little in the way of injury concerns although there are questions about whether or not Scolari should stick with his preferred starting 11. Fernandinho was excellent as a substitute for Paulinho against Cameroon and may get his first start of the tournament today. And there are still lingering questions about Fred as the striker although his job appears secure for now.
Chile will get Arturo Vidal back after he was rested against Netherlands, but may have to be without their defensive enforcer Gary Medel. Medel apparently strained a muscle in training this week and hasn't practiced since. Medel is a key cog in the Chilean defence and that will be a significant blow to Chile's hopes if he cannot go in this game.
Personnel
In the Brazilian Third: Will be interesting to see what Brazil do with their wing backs in this game. Marcelo will likely be matched up on Alexis Sanchez and that's a problem for Chile as Sanchez's skill level is far greater than Marcelo's defending. I would expect to see Chile continually funneling the ball to that side of the field to exploit that matchup. Around the penalty area, Thiago Silva and David Luiz have been alright in this tournament but Chile love to flood guys in to the top of the penalty area and Brazil do not get enough midfield support here to prevent Chile from firing shots out of this area. Advantage: Chile.
In the Midfield: A couple battles to look at here. When Brazil have the ball, can they beat the high Chilean pressure? Chile knows they're going to be giving up chances in their own end but should still turn up the heat on Brazil's midfield to turn the ball over. When Chile have the ball, can Brazil do anything to stop them on the rush? Chile are quick in ball movement and Brazil's effort on defence is suspect. I think both teams are likely to have free run of play with the ball on their feet, Chile a bit better equipped to defend though. Not giving them an advantage though because they expose themselves too much defensively with their pressure. Advantage: Even.
In the Chilean Third: A matchup issue for Chile even if Medel is fully fit. Chile did drop midfielders back in defence against the Dutch and paid the price for it offensively. I have to assume they'll try to find a balance today between being their regular attacking selves and not wanting to give Neymar chances in man-on-man situations. The nature of Chile's game tends to make them scramble in defence which is not a positive facing this Brazilian team. May make some spectacular plays and clearances but cannot be expected to contain them the whole game. Brazil will make them pay for the inevitable lapses in the defensive zone. Advantage: Brazil.
Goalkeeping: Both Julio Cesar and Claudio Bravo bring plenty of experience to the table. Neither has made a glaring error in this tournament either. Bravo passes the eye test better but have to consider penalties at this point. Over the past 5 years, Julio Cesar has saved three times as many penalty kicks as Bravo. Bravo looks better but Cesar the leader if this goes to kicks. Advantage: Even.
Brazil can't expect to walk through this game though, even with home field advantage. This is widely regarded as being one of the top teams Chile have ever put on the field, and their attacking style is poised to exploit a questionable Brazilian defensive four.
This is a game that a casual fan will love. It promises to be fast-paced and should feature plenty of goals as both teams stars will be afforded plenty of space to operate in the offensive third. Neymar is tied for the lead in goals in this tournament and the Brazilian winger has to be licking his chops knowing he will face a 3-man defensive line for Chile. Chile have spread the wealth in their goal-scoring, with 5 different players scoring their 5 group stage goals, but they will be looking to Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal to continue creating plays in the midfield to open up attempts on the Brazilian goal.
Brazil have little in the way of injury concerns although there are questions about whether or not Scolari should stick with his preferred starting 11. Fernandinho was excellent as a substitute for Paulinho against Cameroon and may get his first start of the tournament today. And there are still lingering questions about Fred as the striker although his job appears secure for now.
Chile will get Arturo Vidal back after he was rested against Netherlands, but may have to be without their defensive enforcer Gary Medel. Medel apparently strained a muscle in training this week and hasn't practiced since. Medel is a key cog in the Chilean defence and that will be a significant blow to Chile's hopes if he cannot go in this game.
Personnel
In the Brazilian Third: Will be interesting to see what Brazil do with their wing backs in this game. Marcelo will likely be matched up on Alexis Sanchez and that's a problem for Chile as Sanchez's skill level is far greater than Marcelo's defending. I would expect to see Chile continually funneling the ball to that side of the field to exploit that matchup. Around the penalty area, Thiago Silva and David Luiz have been alright in this tournament but Chile love to flood guys in to the top of the penalty area and Brazil do not get enough midfield support here to prevent Chile from firing shots out of this area. Advantage: Chile.
In the Midfield: A couple battles to look at here. When Brazil have the ball, can they beat the high Chilean pressure? Chile knows they're going to be giving up chances in their own end but should still turn up the heat on Brazil's midfield to turn the ball over. When Chile have the ball, can Brazil do anything to stop them on the rush? Chile are quick in ball movement and Brazil's effort on defence is suspect. I think both teams are likely to have free run of play with the ball on their feet, Chile a bit better equipped to defend though. Not giving them an advantage though because they expose themselves too much defensively with their pressure. Advantage: Even.
In the Chilean Third: A matchup issue for Chile even if Medel is fully fit. Chile did drop midfielders back in defence against the Dutch and paid the price for it offensively. I have to assume they'll try to find a balance today between being their regular attacking selves and not wanting to give Neymar chances in man-on-man situations. The nature of Chile's game tends to make them scramble in defence which is not a positive facing this Brazilian team. May make some spectacular plays and clearances but cannot be expected to contain them the whole game. Brazil will make them pay for the inevitable lapses in the defensive zone. Advantage: Brazil.
Goalkeeping: Both Julio Cesar and Claudio Bravo bring plenty of experience to the table. Neither has made a glaring error in this tournament either. Bravo passes the eye test better but have to consider penalties at this point. Over the past 5 years, Julio Cesar has saved three times as many penalty kicks as Bravo. Bravo looks better but Cesar the leader if this goes to kicks. Advantage: Even.
Brazil will win if:
Be smart defensively, and capitalize when given space in the Chilean third. I don't necessarily think Brazil needs to change their gameplan to deal with Chile. But they have a habit of chasing the ball in the midfield in particular some times which leads to bigger problems for them in their own end. Be smart, understand when it's time to defend or get back and they should be ok against the Chile attack. Have to take advantage of the times Chile get caught in midfield. Will only be 3 guys back much of the time. Brazil have wasted too many scoring opportunities this tournament. Need to use their flare and creativity to get shooting opportunities when they're bearing down on a 3-man line.
Chile will win if:
Take things to Brazil off the start. This isn't an elite back four that they're facing today and they can make poor decisions under heavy pressure. Chile won't win this game by sitting back, it isn't who they are and Brazil can pick teams apart if they're given the chance. Have to be aggressive in pursuit of the ball and in challenging the Brazilian players. Can't allow Brazil to get momentum in the early going and get the crowd in to the game. Brazil's going to try and punch Chile in the mouth this game. Key to beating Brazil: Do the exact same thing back. That's what Chile needs to do to win and I expect they'll follow that strategy.
Both teams strong in the attack. Chile more balanced then Brazil and more efficient with their chances. Brazil have Neymar though who is unstoppable when he wants to be. Brazil also benefit from getting chance after chance in their games.
I think Brazil has difficulty in the midfield today under Chile's pressure, but gets chances with plenty of space on goal when they do get through which is Chile's downfall. Both teams score but Brazil's front more then Chile's defenders can handle.
Brazil 3-1 Chile
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