MARACAIBO, Venezuela, July 9 (Reuters) Defending champions Brazil will attempt to end a five-match winless run against their smaller neighbours Uruguay when they mee in tomorrow's Copa America semi-final.
Brazil always treat matches against the Sky Blues with a certain amount of trepidation and the matter of the 1950 World Cup usually rears its head.
On that occasion, Brazil needed only a draw to win the tournament on home soil but instead lost 2-1 in front of a disbelieving crowd estimated at over 200,000 at the Maracana.
It is the more recent history which is worrying coach Dunga at his players, however.
Since Brazil beat Uruguay 3-0 in the 1999 Copa America final, there have been three 1-1 draws -- including the 2004 Copa America semi-final which Brazil won on penalties -- a 3-3 draw and a 1-0 win for Uruguay.
''There's no doubt this is the most difficult game to date,'' said midfielder Anderson. ''It's a classic, Brazil are always favourites but this game is going to be complicated.'' Saturday's 6-1 win over Chile in their quarter-final is not lulling the title holders into a false sense of security.
''The game against Uruguay will be different, Uruguay are not Chile,'' said midfielder Elano. ''Uruguay are a good team who get better as the competition goes on.'' Uruguay defender Diego Lugano and midfielder Diego Perez both have minor injuries and were rested from training on Sunday but are expected to be fit.
Probable teams: Brazil: 12-Doni; 2-Maicon, 3-Alex, 4-Juan, 6-Gilberto; 5-Mineiro, 8-Gilberto Silva, 17-Josue, 19-Julio Baptista; 9-Vagner Love, 11-Robinho Uruguay: 1-Fabian Carini; 15-Diego Perez, 2-Diego Lugano, 19-Andres Scotti, 6-Dario Rodriguez; 16-Maximiliano Pereira, 5-Pablo Garcia, 7-Cristian Rodriguez, 4-Jorge Fucile; 10-Alvaro Recoba, 21-Diego Forlan Referee: to be announced REUTERS SSC PM2205
Brazil always treat matches against the Sky Blues with a certain amount of trepidation and the matter of the 1950 World Cup usually rears its head.
On that occasion, Brazil needed only a draw to win the tournament on home soil but instead lost 2-1 in front of a disbelieving crowd estimated at over 200,000 at the Maracana.
It is the more recent history which is worrying coach Dunga at his players, however.
Since Brazil beat Uruguay 3-0 in the 1999 Copa America final, there have been three 1-1 draws -- including the 2004 Copa America semi-final which Brazil won on penalties -- a 3-3 draw and a 1-0 win for Uruguay.
''There's no doubt this is the most difficult game to date,'' said midfielder Anderson. ''It's a classic, Brazil are always favourites but this game is going to be complicated.'' Saturday's 6-1 win over Chile in their quarter-final is not lulling the title holders into a false sense of security.
''The game against Uruguay will be different, Uruguay are not Chile,'' said midfielder Elano. ''Uruguay are a good team who get better as the competition goes on.'' Uruguay defender Diego Lugano and midfielder Diego Perez both have minor injuries and were rested from training on Sunday but are expected to be fit.
Probable teams: Brazil: 12-Doni; 2-Maicon, 3-Alex, 4-Juan, 6-Gilberto; 5-Mineiro, 8-Gilberto Silva, 17-Josue, 19-Julio Baptista; 9-Vagner Love, 11-Robinho Uruguay: 1-Fabian Carini; 15-Diego Perez, 2-Diego Lugano, 19-Andres Scotti, 6-Dario Rodriguez; 16-Maximiliano Pereira, 5-Pablo Garcia, 7-Cristian Rodriguez, 4-Jorge Fucile; 10-Alvaro Recoba, 21-Diego Forlan Referee: to be announced REUTERS SSC PM2205
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