(Goal.com Preview) Venezuela Vs Brazil

What: CONMEBOL 2010 World Cup Qualifiers, Round 9
Who: Venezuela (8th, 7pts) vs Brazil (2nd, 13pts)
When: Sunday, 12th October 2008, 14:00 Local Time
Where: Pueblo Nuevo, San Cristobal, Venezuela

The Pressure is On

Brazil have struggled to find consistency so far in the World Cup qualifiers, but will come into their clash with Venezuela in San Cristobal as the hot favourites. Carlos Dunga has felt the heat over the last few months, with a number of disappointing results, and he could well be out of a job if Brazil fail to defeat Venezuela on Sunday. Brazil, without doubt, count with one of the most complete squads in the world, and although they currently find themselves in second position on the table, much more is expected of them. After picking up an impressive 3-0 victory over Chile in Santiago, they could only afford a goalless draw at home to lowly Bolivia, despite playing with a one-man advantage for almost the entire second half. It is quite obvious that Brazil have been lacking consistency.

Still, the CBF have confidence in Dunga, and expect the coach to lift the side in the second round of the qualifiers. Since taking over Brazil's coaching job Dunga has made many positive moves, such as injecting more youth into the side than was the case in the past. He guided Brazil to the 2007 Copa America title, after thumping Argentina 3-0 in the final, and these are some of the reasons why he maintains his job, despite several major set-backs. The clash with Venezuela is a perfect opportunity for Brazil to consolidate their position in the qualifiers, as if they manage a victory they will close in on group leaders Paraguay. In the past the Brazilians have picked up favourable results in Venezuela, and this is likely to continue on Sunday.

Ready to Rebound

Venezuela, who have lost their last three qualifiers, have been lacking quality in recent outings, but will do their utmost to beat the highly fancied Brazilians at home in San Cristobal. Team captain, Juan Arango, insisted that his team need to fine tune their collective work, and if they manage to achieve this they will have a greater chance of picking up a positive result against Brazil. Times are tough in Venezuela at the moment, as the national team have improved a great deal, but this dramatic improvement hasn't been translated into results. Earlier in the year Venezuela defeated Brazil 2-0 in a friendly match in Boston, the United States, and will be hoping to repeat this feat with the stakes significantly more higher.

Cesar Farias, the coach of Venezuela, affirmed that his team will confront the match with Brazil with "lots of balance" and won't sit back in defense and wait for counterattacks, as may have been expected. Farias hopes his team play in the same manner as they did when the teams met in Boston, and he stressed the importance for his team to be fully concentrated on the task ahead, and to be very well organized at all moments. The coach admitted that the atmosphere in the terraces could have a major influence on the outcome of the match, and because of this he hopes the home fans at the Pueblo Nuevo stadium will support his team to the maximum. Venezuela have never qualified for the World Cup before, and a defeat against Brazil, could well decrease their chances of progressing once again.

TEAM NEWS

Venezuela

Cesar Farias presented reporters with a probable starting formation earlier in the week, but since then he has made one change to the side. Roberto Rosales will replace the injured Gerzon Chacon down the right flank. Chacon didn't manage to recover in time for the match. The biggest surprise was the exclusion of highly-rated Huracan midfielder Cesar "Maestrico" Gonzalez, who is expected to play against Ecuador next Wednesday. Team captain, Juan Arango, leads Venezuela's attack, and will be partnered by Giancarlo Maldonado of Atlante of Mexico. Venezuela have struggled to find goals of late, and will be looking for the inspiration of both of these players.

Brazil

Although Dunga has yet to confirm his starting XI, reports from Brazil indicate that the menacing strike-force of Adriano and Robinho will lead his attack. Meanwhile, Kaka, who missed Brazil's last eight matches, will return to the team. The biggest absence will be that of Ronaldinho, who volunteerly pulled himself out of selection, while Sevilla striker, Luis Fabiano, who scored twice against Chile misses the match due to injury. Mancini, Jo, and Anderson also have an outside chance of making the initial eleven for the decisive clash. In Brazil's final training session before travelling to Venezuela on Friday, Dunga took charge of a match between his most probable starting XI, and the reserves. The match ended scoreless, and this could well mean further changes for the upcoming match.

Most Probable Formations:

Venezuela: Renny Vega, Roberto Rosales, Jose Manuel Rey, Pedro Boada, Jorge Rojas, Franklin Lucena, Miguel Mea Vitali, Alejandro Guerra, Ronald Vargas, Juan Arango and Giancarlo Maldonado

Brazil: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Kleber, Josue, Elano, Gilberto Silva, Kaka, Adriano and Robinho.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Venezuela - Juan Arango

Juan Arango should be Venezuela’s main inspiration against Brazil, despite the fact that he hasn't performed to his capacity in recent outings with his national team. The Mallorca star has been in good form in La Liga this season, and will definitely be Venezuela’s main danger man. The responsibility lies on Arango's shoulders, as not only is he Venezuela's captain, but he is the most experienced player in the squad when it comes to matching it with the world's best. If Arango manages to find his touch, Brazil could find themselves with major problems.

Brazil - Kaka

The FIFA World Player of the Year returns to Brazil's line-up after a long absence, and is expected to inspire the side as they look for what would be three vital points. Despite the excitement with his return, Kaka affirmed to the press that he won't be Brazil's saviour, and that he doesn't need the pressure. With Kaka's presence, Brazil will be much more creative in the midfield, and this is likely to provide strikers Adriano and Robinho with lots of goal-scoring opportunities. Kaka is a key player in the Brazil squad, and should make a great impact.

PREDICTION

Both teams will be desperate to claim the three points, and because of this we can expect an action packed contest, with many goals. It will surely be an open match, because both teams tend to play this way, particularly because they will both be unhappy with anything less than a victory. Despite their extensive list of problems, Brazil are the favourites coming into the match, and if they manage to play to their full capacity they will return home with a confidence boosting victory.

Venezuela 1-3 Brazil

Man City's Robinho learning to talk the talk

Robinho wants to learn English as quickly as possible, so he can fully communicate with his Manchester City team-mates.

"The language of football is universal," said Robinho in the Manchester Evening News. "You don't need to speak the lingo in order to be able to communicate with a football.

"Myself and the other players already have a good understanding. Sometimes in training when I shout something they think it's funny but they understand me."

He has flown his wife and baby son over from Brazil and is currently house-hunting in the North West but has been struck by Manchester which he describes as 'beautiful'.

"I am enjoying Manchester, Elano took me for a city tour and I loved it.

I haven't started language lessons yet but as soon as I find my own place I will. In six months time my English will be 10 out of 10."

Email this page

Ronaldo convinced of winning Man City contract

Former World Player of the Year Ronaldo is confident he can win a contract with Manchester City.

The Brazilian's fitness coaches say he is "20 days away" from being 100 per cent match fit after fully recovering from knee surgery last season.

Paris St Germain are reportedly keen to acquire his services but City are understood to be no longer interested since the arrival of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Eastlands.

"Paris is a city that I love and they have a great project to win the league title," admitted Ronaldo in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.

"However, at (Manchester) City I have Robinho, who is a great friend of mine.

"But we will see, in the past few days we have spoken.

"For the time being, my only aim is to return to playing, the rest will follow."

Man Utd determined to win race for Gremio starlet Douglas Costa

Manchester United are serious about their pursuit of Gremio attacking midfielder Douglas Costa.

The News of the Word says United are deadly serious about capturing 18-year-old attacking midfielder Costa, who is also on the hitlist of Barcelona and Real Madrid.

And after signing a new contract with his club Gremio, Costa’s fee would be around £20million.

United are assembling a strong Brazilian contingent and Costa would be joining compatriots Anderson, Rodrigo Possebon and the Da Silva twins, Rafael and Fabio.

Spurs Closer To Landing Gilberto

Brazilian full-back Gilberto faces an anxious wait in his bid to leave Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin during the January transfer window.

It was previously reported that Tottenham Hotspur have held preliminary talks regarding a transfer window swoop for the 31-year-old.

Gilberto is out of contract at the end of the season, with Hertha unable or unwilling to meet his demands for a bumper £7.5million contract renewal.

With just eight days left to force a move to the Premiership, Gilberto revealed much could depend on the views of the Hertha bigwigs.

"It is all in the hands of Dieter Hoeness (Berlin's general manager)," the player told Bild.

"If he says I may go, I am away."

Spurs will be buoyed by Hoeness’ retort, which indicates that the German club won’t be looking to accommodate Gilberto. Spurs gaffer Juande Ramos was left frustrated by his inability to land Rangers’ Scottish fullback Alan Hutton earlier this month.

Hoeness said: "Our entire recruitment budget for the winter break would be taken up meeting Gilberto's demands."

Spurs' offer is said to be in excess of €1.6million (£1.2million).

Fabiano: English Move Too Good To Miss

The Brazilian striker has been good form this season and that has attracted attention from England and he is determined not to miss out on a move.

Manchester City have been strongly linked, but Liverpool and Everton are also said to be interested, but Fabiano is not giving the game away.

It would be a great opportunity for me," he is reported to have told Brazilian media.

“It is very difficult for me to remain in Sevilla. The negotiations for me to go to England are very advanced. It is my great opportunity.

“I am very happy at Sevilla and in Seville, who are a club and a city which I like very much.

"But it is my great opportunity and I will do what I think is most appropriate for me.”

Fabiano's situation is not a normal one as Sevilla only own 35 per cent of his contract as the rest if held by his advisers and an investment group.

But that appears to have not held back talks with the Premier League club and an offer of around €14m is expected to tempt them to sell.

"This is a very good offer and the investment group decided to negotiate," Fabiano, who earned a recall to the Brazil squad earlier this season, added.

Villa And City Look To Madrid's Baptista

English tabloid The News of the World reports that Real Madrid's renaissance man Julio Baptista could be on his way back to the Premiership.

The powerful Brazilian spent last season on loan at Arsenal, but was unable to secure a move away from the Bernabeu during the summer transfer window.

Since then, though, he has been a revelation in La Liga, earning an extended run in the blancos' first XI and even scoring the winner in the Clasico match against Barcelona.

Nonetheless, the News of the World contends that both big-spending City and resurgent Villa are quietly confident of being able to coax the 26-year-old back to England.

Real Madrid coax Bernd Schuster, though, seems to have placed his trust in the Brazilian international, while Baptista himself said as recently as last week that he has yet to show his best in the white jersey, and that he feels appreciated in Madrid.

Baptista delighted with Real Madrid breakthrough

Julio Baptista admits he is delighted with his form this season at Real Madrid.

The Brazilian appeared on his way out of Real in the summer, but kept his head down and grabbed his chance when coach Bernd Schuster decided to play him earlier this season.

"I have improved a lot and I want to still do important things for me and the team. I feel comfortable in an attacking midfield role and need to exploit my strengths and my qualities," said Baptista.

"I feel appreciated for my work. Schuster can see when a player is in good form and that's when he selects him.

"In preseason, he told me that he would start with the players who had won the League, but that I would also have minutes."

Gremio express interest in Real Betis striker Sobis

Real Betis striker Rafael Sobis is wanted by Brazil's Gremio.

Gremio coach Vagner Mancini has confirmed his interest in Sobis, describing the former Internacional de Porto Alegre star as an "outstanding reinforcement".