Host country Brazil cruised into the semifinal round of the 2013 Confederations Cup, stealing three wins in three matches. The squad enters its bout against Uruguay with nine points, according to Bleacher Report. The two teams are part of a classic rivalry that started picking up traction in 1950 when Uruguay topped Brazil in the World Cup final, making it the only time Brazil lost a final round World Cup match at home.
Uruguay's crushing defeat of Tahiti, reminiscent of the Pacific Islanders' loss to Spain, 8-0, put them on the road to the semis. Its captain Diego Lugano will be making a return for the game after a one-game ban. The team will be compromised slightly, however, by the absence of Andres Scotti after he was sent off in the team's game versus Tahiti. Both teams will lean heavily on attackers, making for a fierce match.
Where and When to Watch Brazil vs. Uruguay
The semifinal bout is set to take place Wednesday at 3 p.m. EST and will be televised on ESPN Network. Online viewers may click here for a livestream set to start approximately 30 minutes before the match.
Team preview - Brazil
Brazil will get some of its players back following injuries, Yahoo Sports reported. Some anticipated faces include David Luiz following a knee injury and Paulinho after an ankle injury sustained in the squad's match against Italy. Luiz is expected to come out aggressively as he's prone to do, with his biggest challenge of the match being Uruguay's Luis Suarez who could force Luiz, already prone to penalties as it is, to take a fall and draw a penalty.
Neymar, Brazil's 19-year-old star player, who has delivered fantastic goals time and time again for his squad will be grappling with veteran players on Urugay's side, most likely Maxi Pereira. Neymar could perhaps be the biggest challenge facing Uruguay if he continues in top form. Marcelo will prove to be a wild card because though he can often pull brilliant plays, driving the ball into the net, he sometimes remains wide open and idle, leaving room for the opposition to gain leverage. He would do well to follow in the footsteps of the decidedly more proactive Luiz in this match.
Team preview - Uruguay
Much of Uruguay's team is expected to start on the attack, particularly Diego Forlan, known for winning the 2010 Golden Ball. While he may not be as consistently stellar as in recent years, he is a seasoned player who keeps his team intact. He could easily take advantage of Brazil's weaker defense as he is skilled at taking charge by way of his passing range, which could prove difficult for Brazil to get a lid on. He is likely the one Uruguay will build upon for prime goalscoring opportunities.
Diego Lugano will most likely be the one to suppress Brazil's Fred as his experience is integral to Uruguayan success. Fred may be able to outmaneuver the longtime player, who has been considerably slower in recent years. Lugano's physical efforts, however, have not appeared bogged down and their matchup could boil down to physical prowess.
Wrap-up
The match should be aggressive as both squads are very attack-heavy. Brazil has youth on its side, with fast, effective players able to cover a lot of ground and set up some outstanding goals. Uruguay on the other hand will be relying on experience, with veteran players picking up the momentum for much of the team. While both teams aren't as strong defensively, Uruguay is showing more consistency on the defensive end, which would prove to be a powerful fortress against the likes of Brazil. Still, with Brazil's lightning-fast strikers at the ready, they could tear through Uruguay's defensive and offensive lines to victory.
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
