BRAZIL
LIKELY TEAM (4-2-3-1): Alisson, Fagner, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Luis, Casemiro, Paulinho, Willian, Coutinho, Neymar, Jesus
- Brazil have qualified from the group stage of a world cup for the 13th consecutive tournament, a run stretching back to 1970
- Brazil have won back to back World Cup games for the first time since 2010
- Brazil enters Monday's match against Mexico having won 19 of its 24 matches under manager Tite
Brazil have not consistently inspired that sense of inferiority in the modern era but there is a feeling among players and management that things are falling into place. In the win over Serbia, comfortably Brazil’s best performance of the group stage, Neymar operated so obediently, Coutinho continued to give claim to being this tournament's most beguiling no.10 while Paulinho amongst others continues to step up. “The pack needs the wolves,” the Brazil manager said, not for the first time at the World Cup in Sunday's press conference. “Sometimes you need wolves of different characteristics.” It is mark of their stength in depth that Felipe Luis could come in immediately for Marcelo versus Serbia and offer Neymar the support play and positioning he requires to flourish which the Real Madrid man constantly provides. Fagner of Corinthians? has emerged as a key player in the right full position given Dani Alves and Danilo's absence due to injury. Fernandinho and Roberto Firmino who both enjoyed successful Premiership seasons are noteworthy substitutes. Douglas Costa of Juventus however will miss Monday's game.
Given Spain, Argentina, Portugal and Germany's exit from the tournament at least the shadow of Belo Horizonte in 2014 will not be looming now and Brazil can concentrate upon more gettable foes. It is completely fair to expect that in Brazil's quest to claim a sixth World Cup that most of the limelight will fall on star man; Neymar who has caused angst given his antics most recently against Costa Rica and Switzerland. It's true that Neymar is untouchable in the national team since breaking through in 2010, he has averaged almost 84 minutes on the pitch in the 88 games played for the national team and started 84 of those games and it's fair to wonder what would happen these days if he were replaced in an important Selecao match, something that has not happened since 2011. His record of 56 international goals is nothing to be scorned at and given the fact he's only 26 he has time aplenty to beat Pele's staggering record of 77. Brazil are lucky to have Neymar, but it remains a national pastime to seemingly kick him when he's down unless, of course, he helps Brazil clinch that trophy. That's the only way to work this out.
However it has been in fact Philippe Coutinho who has been Brazil's go to guy in this tournament so far. The Barcelona's man attitude and dedication to playing is a breath of fresh air in comparison to some of his teammates antics and he has excelled so far earning international plaudits. In a 2-0 win over Serbia, Coutinho became the first Brazilian player since Pele to score or assist in each of their first three World Cup games. His assist for Paulinho was just one of many brilliant passes from a player who is seemingly beginning to reach his peak. Against Switzerland, in Brazil’s opener, it was a sublime long-range goal from the midfield maestro that gave his team the lead in a game that would see Brazil have to settle for a disappointing draw. Next up was Costa Rica and after 90 minutes of football it was once again left to Coutinho to draw first blood. His goal was an opportunistic one but his ability to be in the right place at the right time shouldn’t be overlooked. During 2018, Coutinho has either scored or assisted in 22 goals over 29 games for both Barcelona and Brazil.
MEXICO
LIKELY TEAM (4-2-3-1): Ochoa, Alavrez, Salcedo, Ayala, Gallardo, Herrera, Guadrado, Vela, Layun, Lozano, Chicharito
- The Mexico national team never has qualified for the quarterfinals in a World Cup that took place outside Mexico
- In 1994, Mexico only featured two players out of 23 that did not play club football in Mexico. In 1998, only legendary goal keeper Jorge Campos played abroad ,in Chicago with the Fire. In 2002 and 2006, El Tri only bought flights for four players that did not play domestic football in Liga MX. In 2010, Mexico began to shift with 14 of its 23 playing at home, while that number actually increased to 15 Liga MX players in 2014.
Juan Carlos Osorio is like a box of chocolates you just never know what he is going to throw up from a 7-0 humilation at the hands of Chile in the Copa America semi final in 2016 to their most recent 1-0 victiry against Germany it is clear that Mexico's manager isn't any ordinary guy. From dinner conversations with Sir Alex Ferguson on sleep to the hiring of mental skills coach, Imanol Ibarrondohe if Mexico are to exit the tournament Monday evening it certainly won't be for a lack of trying. The Colombian will be very familiar with Meixco's opposition on Monday having coached Sao Paulo prior to taking over "El Tri". Arguably this Mexican side are more suited to taking on this Brazil side than say the likes of Sweden. Juan Carlos Osorio seems to be still trying to find a way to break down compact sides without resorting to a style he wants his players to avoid. Osorio is a football purist and Monday's game pitted against the most stylish team of all means his dilemna will solve itself coming into the game. Against Brazil his side can afford to sit deep and counter the Brazilians at a moment's notice bypasssing the press of Casemiro and Paulinho in midfield akin to their performance versus Germany however Osorio has committed to attacking Brazil and vowed his team will fight for possession throughout the ninety minutes and beyond Monday.
Hector Moreno who had a poor performance will miss Monday's clash as he is suspended and will his absence will be felt. Moreno is the man who is largely in charge of kickstarting Mexican attacks playing passes through the lines to the likes of Lozano on Layun on one side or switching the play to Carlos Vela on the right. He is likely to replaced by Tigres man Hugo Ayala. Ayala will be partnered by Eintracht Frankfurt man Carlos Salcedo who has enjoyed some recent praise for his performances for both club and country. They will be flanked by young Edson Alavrez who will be looking to atone for his own goal against Sweden on the right while Gallardo will start on the left and will have to curb his usual instinct to roam forward given a moment's notice thereby vacating space for Chelsea man; Willian to work his magic. Andres Guadrado has carried a knee injury throughout the whole tournament and is rated 50-50 for the clash. Guadrado has also recently stoked fires by claiming "Neymar likes to exaggerate fouls". Should Guardrado fail to make the starting XI Jonathan Dos Santos will prove more than an able deputy. Guadrado or Dos Santos will be partnered by the ever reliable Hector Herrera in the Mexican midfield.
Against Sweden, Gallardo and Alvarez were encouraged to play further forward and break the lines enabling Layun and Lozano to receive the ball in dangerous positions however Mexico are more than likely to sit back and be patient against the Selecao. The Mexican fast break may become more popular than the Mexican wave if El Tri beats Brazil in the Round of 16. It is poetry in motion, even if Layun’s service and decision making haven’t exactly been up to standard and Hernandez looks every single one of his 30 years. The front foursome may not have enough talent to even make Brazil’s bench, but Vela, Layun, Hernandez and Lozano are like a jazz band that understands how to stay on beat and play off one another. Several Mexican players such as Hector Herrera have recently come and said they don't remember being part of a squad so unified and full of belief for what lies ahead. With every Mexican player, staff member, fan on board in this World Cup which seems to have transfixed the whole nation and provided shocks aplenty there is no reason "El Tri" can succeed in their pre tournament goal of pursuing "El quinto partido".
WHERE GAME WILL BE WON
Brazil will be especially wary of what this Mexican side are capable of. Mexico excels when teams come out to attack. Tite and Brazil will leave nothing to chance in their preparation for everything on Monday which Mexico may throw at them. Patience will be key for this Brazilian side and they will look to isolate Neymar on their left side to exploit any opposition weakness. Philippe Coutinho is enjoying a fine tournament and his tendency to drift between the lines will cause much panic and confusion in the Mexican defence given Juan Carlos Osorio's propensity to change systems given a moment's notice.
PREDICTION
Mexico to come out all guns ablaze, Osorio to throw a few spanners in the works while Neymar and co live another day breaking Mexican hearts after extra time in the process ensuring "El Tri" will have to wait at least until Qatar 2022 in their quest for "El quinto partido".
Brazil 2 - 1 Mexico (AET)