Strongest Brazil Starting XI For The World Cup Including Chelsea Stars And An Arsenal Target

The last time the madness of the World Cup took Brazil by storm, the host nation lost 2-1 to arch rivals Uruguay in 1950 and the “Maracanazo” was declared as a national tragedy, one that continues to sting till date, and yet may provide the players the encouragement and act as a springboard to do away with the demons of the past.

Brazil were eliminated in the quarter-final stage in each of the two previous World Cups, but the arrival of the 2002 World Cup winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has helped to restore the confidence of a nation in a game they eat, sip and breathe. It isn’t everyday that a side takes the World Champions Spain to the cleaners, and Brazil’s 3-0 annihilation of the La Roja in the Confederations Cup last summer have elevated expectations in the soccer-crazy nation of Brazil. Beg your pardon. Football it is.

Let’s try and put ourselves in Scolari’s shoes and pick the Brazil XI to take on Croatia on Thursday evening.

Goalkeeper

Julio Cesar has bags of experience of playing in the biggest of games and will almost certainly be one of the first names on the team sheet. His time at Toronto FC helped him ease his way into match fitness in preparation for the World Cup.

Defence

Brazil have undoubtedly the strongest defence of all the nations competing for the World Cup. The centre-back partnership of Thiago Silva and David Luiz have a nice understanding and looked solid in the Confederations Cup. Luiz has shown more than often that he can be error-prone and a bit lackadaisical but Thiago Silva’s experience should come to the rescue.

Dani Alves’s bursts down the right will provide Brazil with an attacking edge but Alves does tend to leave gaps at the back in what has come to be known as the ‘Alves Avenue’. Marcelo too can be a defensive liability at times, although his driving overlaps down the left flank are another source of an attacking threat. If anything, opposition teams may identify the wings as a possible weakness that can be exploited.

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Midfield

Despite Paulinho’s indifferent first season at White Hart Lane, Luiz Felipe Scolari has assured the midfielder that he remains firmly etched in his plans and is a guaranteed starter in the World Cup. The midfield combination of Gustavo and Paulinho has been Scolari’s first choice in the build up to the showpiece event, with Gustavo’s industry complementing Paulinho’s running and passing ability.

Gustavo provides the centre backs with some additional protection and covers for Marcelo when the full back makes one of his darts down the left. And he keeps the play ticking with his passing.

Gustavo’s quarterback role allows Paulinho the freedom to move into attack in the box-to-box midfielder role. Paulinho is the midfield distributor in the Brazil team and so often the link between the back four and the attack. He would be expected to make his trademark runs into the box and chip in with one or two vital goals. Remember the volleyed shot that neutralized Wayne Rooney’s wonder goal at the Maracana last summer against England?

Chelsea star Oscar is the undisputed contender for the No. 10 role and will play behind the front man. While his interchanges with Neymar and Hulk will be a treat to watch, don’t be surprised if he drops a little deeper to spray one of those diagonal balls for Alves or Marcelo pushing on.

Forwards

While Hulk (reportedly, an Arsenal target) has failed to reproduce his stunning form for Porto in Zenit colors, Hulk cutting in from the right and shooting with that venomous left foot is a sight of nightmares for opposition defenders. And he chips in with his fair share of defensive work.

Neymar was ignored for the 2010 World Cup but at only 22, he has the opportunity to elevate himself from a superstar to legendary status if he can lead the Samba boys to glory on their home turf. Easily Brazil’s best player, Neymar will be expected not only to create the chances but also don the hat of a finisher. The move to Barcelona would have given him some much needed experience of playing in one of the top leagues and whether he can live up to the expectations will be a question that only the next few weeks will answer.

Fred will be leading the line for the boys in yellow. The Fluminese frontman holds the ball up and brings the likes of Oscar and Neymar into the game and provides Brazil with a presence in the box. And he does have a finish in his armoury, so don’t be surprised if Fred is in the running for the Golden Boot come the business end of the tournament.

Cesar

Alves   Silva   Luiz   Marcelo

Gustavo     Paulinho

Oscar

Hulk        Fred      Neymar