RIO DE JANEIRO – The fierce rivalry between Brazil and Argentina will hit fever pitch when Lionel Messi’s world champions face the struggling hosts in a mouth-watering South American World Cup qualifying clash in Rio de Janeiro on Nov 21.
Five-time World Cup winners Brazil will rely on their fans in a sold-out Maracana Stadium to give them an extra boost after losing back-to-back games – to Uruguay and Colombia – in qualifying for the first time in their history.
As they struggle with injuries to key players like Neymar and Vinicius Jr, caretaker coach Fernando Diniz must resort to fielding a young team against Argentina in the match which will take place on Nov 22 morning, Singapore time.
It is a side who he guarantees will stay true to Brazil’s identity even against the rivals who have a football great like Messi in their ranks.
“Sure, you can’t not worry about a player of that magnitude,” Diniz told reporters on Nov 20 as he looked ahead to the big clash.
“But we have to play our game as we try to contain all the creative capacity he has.
“Dealing with Messi is obviously different and you have to worry. It’s impossible not to worry about a player of his stature and the decision-making power he has.”
Diniz also said that he expected a great but heated atmosphere at the Maracana, with the fans looking forward to Brazil avenging the Copa America final defeat by Argentina in 2021.
Winless in the last three games, the Selecao have dropped to fifth in the South American standings on seven points from five games after losing 2-1 to Colombia on Nov 16.
Argentina lead on 12 points, ahead of Uruguay (10), Colombia (nine) and Venezuela (eight). The top six will qualify automatically for World Cup 2026 with the seventh entering the play-offs and Brazil are under heavy pressure from their demanding fans.
“I hope we play well and the fans can play along with the team creating a great environment,” Diniz added. “We are prepared to play a team that, if they are not the best (team in the world), they are one of the best.
“And they have been for a while, not just because they won the World Cup.
“They have players in the biggest leagues, used to the limelight. And there’s Messi...
“It’s a team that’s been playing well for a long time, a winning cycle and one that has maintained its base.
“We acknowledge that and we’re going to prepare to do our best against a great opponent.”
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, meanwhile, hinted that veteran winger Angel di Maria could return to the starting line-up.
The 35-year-old has recovered from a muscle injury and played a lively second-half cameo in the 2-0 home loss to Uruguay.
“There is a chance that di Maria will be a starter... (but) the idea is not to touch the team too much,” he said.
The Benfica player has been touted as a possible replacement for Fiorentina midfielder Nicolas Gonzalez for the match. Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez could also earn a start in place of Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez.
But Scaloni stressed that he did not intend to send any negative messages to his players.
“There will likely be some changes but that won’t be due to their performances (against Uruguay),” he insisted.
“I’m not going to change the team because of one good or bad game. Any changes will be specifically based on the characteristics of the opponent that we face.”
Off the pitch, Vinicius has stepped up the fight against racism.
He launched a campaign under the slogan Racism, Don’t Pretend You Don’t See It on billboards across Brazil for Black Awareness Day.
The Real Madrid forward, who has been racially abused regularly in Spanish La Liga games, received the Socrates Award in October for starting a foundation that is building schools in Brazil in impoverished areas and investing in education.
Alongside the campaign, he has also launched through his foundation the Anti-Racism Education Handbook.
It aims to help schools make the educational environment more inclusive and avoid stereotypes that foster prejudice. REUTERS, XINHUA
