Dorival Junior will get issues proper regardless of Brazil’s underwhelming begin to the Copa America, believes left-back Guilherme Arana, because the Selecao put together to face Paraguay.
Brazil have been held to a irritating goalless draw by Costa Rica of their opening Group D match on Monday, dropping floor on Colombia, who began with a win over Paraguay.
Whereas Dorival praised features of his group’s efficiency in that match, he acknowledged extra will likely be wanted within the closing third if the Selecao are to problem for a tenth South American crown.
Atletico Mineiro full-back Arana, who performed the complete 90 minutes final outing, praised Dorival’s method as he opened up on the coach’s response to the end result.
“As quickly as we entered the dressing room, he praised our urgent after we misplaced the ball, it was excellent, we didn’t concede something defensively,” Arana mentioned.
“He inspired us, gave us morale. I feel that’s the thought not solely of him however of all of the gamers.
“The results of the debut was dangerous, however we nonetheless have two video games to go. In different phrases, two nice alternatives. That’s the pondering.
“After all it’s a brand new job, Dorival arrived just lately, the gamers are new too, however we’re centered along with him.
“Dorival is aware of what he’s doing, he’s a superb coach and he’s going to assist us lots.”
Paraguay have been overwhelmed 2-1 by Colombia of their opener, leaving them probably needing to trigger an upset to have any likelihood of reaching the quarter-finals.
Head coach Daniel Garnero believes there have been loads of positives to take from that match, saying: “We have now a transparent thought of our gameplan and the sensation is that we competed always.
“I feel it was a good recreation, we didn’t handle to convey dwelling the factors however we tried to match our opponents.
“With Argentina [and Colombia], these have been the 2 groups that arrived on the Copa with nice superiority.
“There have been many constructive parts and after we take inventory of this match we’ll see this.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Paraguay – Julio Enciso
Enciso tried 11 dribbles in opposition to Colombia in Paraguay’s Copa America opener, the joint-most of any participant within the opening spherical of fixtures on the event (tied with Richard Ríos of Colombia).
The Brighton and Hove Albion participant accomplished six of them, the second-highest determine within the first spherical, behind Rios’ eight.
By netting his nation’s comfort objective, he grew to become the second-youngest participant to attain for Paraguay at a significant event this century (20 years, 153 days), after Ernesto Cristaldo versus Chile on the 2004 Copa America (20 years, 117 days).
Brazil – Vinicius Junior
Brazil didn’t make their superiority rely in opposition to Costa Rica, making extra passes (695) than another group throughout the primary matchday of the competitors, however solely registered three pictures on the right track from the 19 they tried.
Vinicius was withdrawn for future Actual Madrid team-mate Endrick 71 minutes in after failing to register a single shot, although he did create a game-high three probabilities.
He has been substituted in every of the Selecao’s final six aggressive matches, versus Costa Rica and in three World Cup qualifiers final 12 months, in addition to their final two fixtures on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
After scoring 24 objectives and including 9 assists for Los Blancos final season, Vinicius will likely be anticipating to supply a greater show on Friday.
MATCH PREDICTION: BRAZIL WIN
Brazil recorded 49 entries into Costa Rica’s penalty space on matchday one, their joint-highest determine in a Copa America match since such knowledge started being recorded in 2011 (additionally versus Paraguay in 2019).
Extra penetration – and higher ending – will likely be required subsequent outing.
Paraguay haven’t misplaced any of their final 5 matches in opposition to Brazil on the Copa America, recording one win and 4 attracts.
This equals the second-longest unbeaten streak in opposition to Brazil within the historical past of the event, behind Argentina’s eight-match run between 1923 and 1946 (seven wins, one draw), tied with Paraguay’s personal streak between 1963 and 1983 (two wins, three attracts).
Nevertheless, Paraguay have solely received one in every of their final six video games in all competitions (two attracts, three defeats), so Dorvial’s group go into the match as robust favourites.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Paraguay – 13.4%
Brazil – 69.6%
Draw – 17%