Team Preview: Hosts Brazil eying sixth World Cup title

Brazil

Best Ever Performance: Winners (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)

Captain: Thiago Silva

Manager: Luiz Felipe Scolari

Brazil qualified for the 2014 World Cup as the host nation, hence not as much known regarding their competitive form in difference to a host of others taking part.

That being said, Brazil thrived during the 2013 Confederations Cup, a tournament in which they were hosts yet again. They defeated Japan in the first game easily and followed that show by dispatching ever more tough opposition as the competition progressed. Mexico and Italy were both defeated by a two goal margin prior to Uruguay chop down 2-1, setting up a exciting  grand finale with the powerhouse of current football, Spain.

Brazil ensued in thrashing Spain 3-0, producing an exceptional show of smart, aggressive and cruelly efficient soccer. That outcome intended the flow of anticipation around this side has now turn into a wave on which the hopes of a country respite and one that the host nation  expectation will arrive at its peak come the World Cup final on Sunday, July 13 2014.

There are few minor concerns about this side, nevertheless. Most particularly a lack of profundity in the centre forward position, which Fred currently looks to have made his own. In central midfield too, whilst they have physicality and industry with Paulinho and Luis Gustavo, they are without a ballplayer to match the talent of those obsessed by Spain, Italy and Germany.

But on home turf with a festival crowd grating for their heroes, not to talk about a wealth of stars like Neymar, Hulk, Oscar and many more at Scolari’s removal, it will take a Herculean attempt to avoid the Pentacampeões securing an historic sixth World Cup victory.

Key Player – Neymar

With a remarkable 27 goals already scored for his nation at the time of writing, Neymar is beginningto blossom into the star many thought he would ultimately become. Blessed  with thrilling speed, magnificent talent and an eager eye for goal – frequently fantastic at that – the Brazil forward will cause an enormous pain for opposition defenders this summer.

Neymar moved to Barcelona prior to the 2013/14 season for a price label in the range of €50 million in spite of several expecting him to stay in Brazil until after the World Cup. Would the massive price label, enormous expectation and sleight somato type probably hamper him from ensuing in European football? Or would playing with superstars like Messi, Xavi and Iniesta help him flourish?

In his first season, the second came to completion, and even though Neymar has a long way to go before attaining the heights of his colleague Messi, he has scored goals and provided help in great amounts. Possibly most prominently, one of each in his debut Clasico.

Persistence of this form will only make stronger Brazil’s chances of winning in their home turf  and in Neymar, the fans have someone to really be thrilled about. A tournament top scorer probably, a match winner most definitely. But can a player so young handle the massive pressure being put on him by a passionate footballing country?