Match 16: Brazil vs Serbia - Live from Lusail Iconic Stadium

[PMLF]

Lineups:

They met in the 2018 World Cup, Brazil won 2-0:

 

Edited November 24, 2022 by PMLF

[Coulthard's Jaw]

What you expecting from this PMLF? 

[PMLF]

Just now, Coulthard's Jaw said:

What you expecting from this PMLF? 

Narrow Brazil win.

But given the recent surprises, better not take a win for granted.  

[GunmaN1905]

This is the Sergej game, if you ask me.

For years he's been produced a lot of top class performances in Serie A. His FM attributes make him look like the best midfielder in the world, which he can be, on some days.

But he's already 27 and has pretty much no big games behind him. Not for NT, not for club because Lazio can't even reach the CL.

At peak performance, he can be the second best player on the pitch after Neymar and easily the best midfielder.

We'll see if he can deliver tonight.

Serbia has improved a lot under Stojković, the man knows football.  Mitrović and Vlahović both have injury issues, so only one will start, probably Vlahović.

Will be interesting how teams cope with their physicality, but their defense is suspect.

Brazil's Juventus full-back duo is also getting old, Alex Sandro is nowhere near his best days, but I still have them winning this match, on experience if nothing else.

[Constantine]

Both of our defenses are rubbish. You've got way better goalie. Our attack is great but Brazil's is next level. 

My expectations: Serbia'll lose but we'll go down fighting. 3-1 for Seleção

[PMLF]

Brazil XI:

Edited November 24, 2022 by PMLF

[Constantine]

Apparently, Mitro is getting the starting spot ahead of much healthier Vlahovic. Kostic is out, Mladenovic starts on the left. ****. He's terrible. Whoever plays down the right for Brazil will have a field day.

[Baptista_8]

Kostic is out? Have him in my FF.

Also had Vinicius until I saw him excluded from a few potential lineups. Now looks like he's starting 🙄

[Smallen]

Not starting Bruno G smh.

Hope Mitrogol smashes Brazil. 

[Constantine]

On my phone, can't find a nice pic of it but till someone else do, here's how we'll line up.

Vanja Milinković-Savić - Nikola Milenković, Miloš Veljković, Strahinja Pavlović - Andrija Živković, Nemanja Gudelj, Saša Lukić, Mladenović - Sergej Milinković-Savić, Dušan Tadić - Mitrović.

[skybluedave]

You'd think a top team would be able dominate that Brazil central midfield

[PMLF]

2 minutes ago, Constantine said:

On my phone, can't find a nice pic of it but till someone else do, here's how we'll line up.

Vanja Milinković-Savić - Nikola Milenković, Miloš Veljković, Strahinja Pavlović - Andrija Živković, Nemanja Gudelj, Saša Lukić, Mladenović - Sergej Milinković-Savić, Dušan Tadić - Mitrović.

[GunmaN1905]

2 minutes ago, skybluedave said:

You'd think a top team would be able dominate that Brazil central midfield

Did Paqueta turn into a CM for West Ham?

He was always more of a #10, as you say, I can't see it working against top teams.

Their backline is also really questionable against teams with pace.

[skybluedave]

3 minutes ago, GunmaN1905 said:

Did Paqueta turn into a CM for West Ham?

He was always more of a #10, as you say, I can't see it working against top teams.

Their backline is also really questionable against teams with pace.

No. Been a 10 at West Ham (and pretty average) with Rice and Soucek behind him

[craigcwwe]

Good for Brazil that Serbia can't field both Mitrovic and Vlahovic from the start. 

Not a very good looking defence for Brazil. That fan easily be got at. Especially when you look at what's in front of them, Casemiro aside of course. 

Still expect Brazil to win but could well be a draw this. 

[TalkSport]

18 minutes ago, PMLF said:

Brazil XI:

Surely Bruno is a better option than Paqueta? Or is this a Brazil team that’s locked into personal by the manager?

[Darius1998]

Alisson is going to have a very busy day against any side that has pace.

[av3ry]

Went 2-0 Brazil in the Predictions. So it won't be that because I got every single score-line wrong so far.

[Harryseaess]

Expecting big things from Brazil but expect they'll start slowly tonight.

[RTHerringbone]

Looks like Casemiro will be busy. No real balance to that Brazil lineup.

[PMLF]

9 minutes ago, pearcey_90 said:

Surely Bruno is a better option than Paqueta? Or is this a Brazil team that’s locked into personal by the manager?

More a matter of 'hierarchy', a Paquetá is a more established NT player. If he were not starting, then probably Fred would start.

[Lucas]

Looking at that Brazil lineup and formation, should be a pretty interesting and hopefully open game

[kpain16]

Not sure about that Serbian squad. Looks pretty unbalanced, quality wise. 

 

[georginho_juventusygr]

A hattrick from Juve's striker.

[CFuller]

Not sure about the balance of that Brazilian midfield. Do they expect Casemiro to do all the defensive work? 

Think this will be a nervy opening game for both teams - may even be another 0-0 at half-time - but Brazil's greater attacking threat will eventually make the difference.

[PaulHartman71]

Brazil’s lineup is like one of those team of the years that just squeezes in attacking players. 

I think attacking wise they’re too good but wouldn’t surprise me if this ends up being 4-2 or something as Serbia have dangerous players 

[Confused Clarity]

@PMLF

How come somebody as well spoken on the game as Julio Cesar is working for the BBC rather than Brazilian TV?

Gilberto Silva, I can understand with how long he spent in England.

[craigcwwe]

'Brazil is very lucky to have four attackers (and the rest) but how about defence'? 

Serbia manager. 

[Barry Cartman]

Brazil like Argentina for me, no idea why people think so highly of them when you see that lineup 

[Rob1981]

Stojkovic the only manager in Qatar whose World Cup story dates back to Italia 90. Played for Yugoslavia in the QF.

[PMLF]

Just now, Confused Clarity said:

@PMLF

How come somebody as well spoken on the game as Julio Cesar is working for the BBC rather than Brazilian TV?

Gilberto Silva, I can understand with how long he spent in England.

There is no shortage of former players commenting for Brazilian TV. Júlio César has been living abroad, I think, so easier for him to work for foreign TV.

[GunmaN1905]

4 minutes ago, Confused Clarity said:

 Julio Cesar is working for the BBC

Goalkeeper Julio Cesar?

I never heard him speak a word of English.

[titchuk]

Been enjoying the World Cup so far but always good to get Brazil kicking off!

[craigcwwe]

3 minutes ago, GunmaN1905 said:

Goalkeeper Julio Cesar?

I never heard him speak a word of English.

That one yeah. Decent English tbf. 

[craigcwwe]

Tim Vickery. Always good to hear his insights. 

Edited November 24, 2022 by craigcwwe

[GunmaN1905]

4 minutes ago, craigcwwe said:

That one yeah. Decent English tbf. 

No other way to understand Harry Redknapp.

Btw, born 10 years too early, legit had technique and passing of a midfielder, but was never allowed to do anything because Italy.

10 minutes ago, PMLF said:

There is no shortage of former players commenting for Brazilian TV. Júlio César has been living abroad, I think, so easier for him to work for foreign TV.

Is Rambo Petković one of the pundits for tonight's game, has to be.

Edited November 24, 2022 by GunmaN1905

[Confused Clarity]

7 minutes ago, PMLF said:

There is no shortage of former players commenting for Brazilian TV. Júlio César has been living abroad, I think, so easier for him to work for foreign TV.

Fair comment.

Is it in one broadcaster over there? Or multiple?

Who are the usual pundits and which ones do you like/infuriate you?

Or should we take that to the punditry thread? 😂

[PMLF]

1 minute ago, Confused Clarity said:

Fair comment.

Is it in one broadcaster over there? Or multiple?

Who are the usual pundits and which ones do you like/infuriate you?

Or should we take that to the punditry thread? 😂

It's on Globo and Sportv (a sports cable channel linked to Globo) as well as streaming.

I like Júnior as pundit, Diego (who just retired) and Zé Roberto were pretty bad in the matches he was in.

[craigcwwe]

Longest national anthem ever. 

[RTHerringbone]

Fair to say there are options on the Brazilian bench 

[PMLF]

6 minutes ago, GunmaN1905 said:

Is Rambo Petković one of the pundits for tonight's game, has to be.

He isn't, he did talk with some papers though.

[GunmaN1905]

Serbia with "13th WC appearance". 

Finally managed to string two in a row with same territory and name. 

Edited November 24, 2022 by GunmaN1905

[RTHerringbone]

I like Serbia's start. Good pressing.

[TalkSport]

This guy looks a bombscare. He’s not making the 90.

[DJ]

That's a mighty early yellow

 

[Orzelek]

6 minutes ago, GunmaN1905 said:

Serbia with "13th WC appearance". 

Finally managed to string two in a row with same territory and name. 

 

The 13 appearances are under what - 4 or 5 different names/countries?  

 

Also - is Serbia generally seen as the successor of the former Yugoslav results? 

[DJ]

That should be a yellow, too

[GunmaN1905]

3 minutes ago, Orzelek said:

 is Serbia generally seen as the successor of the former Yugoslav results? 

They officialy are because noone else ever cared about it.

Football NT never won anything because it was always sabotaged via politics one way or another, even though it had enough quality to contend for winning almost every tournament with proper coaching and player selection, which was almost never the case.

[Orzelek]

Cheeky corner from Neymar

[ajw10]

37 minutes ago, CFuller said:

Not sure about the balance of that Brazilian midfield. Do they expect Casemiro to do all the defensive work? 

Think this will be a nervy opening game for both teams - may even be another 0-0 at half-time - but Brazil's greater attacking threat will eventually make the difference.

Paqueta isn't a liability defensively