Focus On... BRAZIL

BRAZIL

Manager: Luiz Felipe Scolari
Previous Best: Champions (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
Nickname: A Seleção

Likely Formation: 4-2-1-3
Likely Line-up:

Pos	Name	Age	Caps	Club
GK	César	34	80	Toronto (CAN)
RB	Alves	31	75 (6)	Barcelona (ESP)
CB	Silva	29	46 (2)	Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
CB	Dante	30	12 (2)	Bayern Munich (DEU)
LB	Marcelo	26	31 (4)	Real Madrid (ESP)
CM	Paulinho	25	26 (5)	Tottenham Hotspurs (ENG)
CM	Gustavo	26	19 (1)	Wolfsburg (GER)
AM	Oscar	22	31 (9)	Chelsea (ENG)
RF	Hulk	27	35 (9)	Zenit St Petersburg (RUS)
ST	Fred	30	34 (17)	Fluminense
LF	Neymar Jr	22	49 (31)	Barcelona (ESP)

* Has appeared at a previous World Cup

Average Age: 26.8
Total Caps: 438
Best Odds: 3/1F (Numerous)
Captain: Thiago Silva
Star Player: Neymar Jr
Player to Watch: Jô

Big Phil is back! Football's favourite Gene Hackman look-a-like is back, tasked with avoiding the disaster of 1950 when Brazil failed to win the last World Cup they hosted. Nothing less than a repeat of his 2002 victory will be considered a success, but things are unlikely to be as easy this time.

The contrast between the 2002 Brazil side and today's is obvious. In 2002 the forward 3 of Rivaldo, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho were simply devastating, and all 3 were winners of the Ballon d'Or at some stage during their career. Neymar is still young and may well be their equivilent with time, but Fred and Hulk almost look second rate in comparison. For now the production line of Brazilian forwards that produced Pelé, Romario and Ronaldo has stalled.

Brazil will still be favourites to win their 6th title, but this is a side who are more impressive as a defensive unit, that as an attacking one. That just seems wrong.

For my player to watch I have picked Jô (left). Now back in Brazil playing for Atlético Mineiro, he is unlikely to be much more than a substitute, but as the 4th striker in a squad, he is likely to get some game time, given that Brazil play 3 up front. With the exception of the reserve goalkeepers, the squad are all household names around the world, so there will be no susprises, but with Jô there is the potential to perhaps see some of the ability that led Manchester City to spend £19m to secure his services.