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BRAZIL

V

MEXICO

Saturday, August 11, 2012; 19:45 Hrs

Wembley Stadium, London

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It is the greatest sporting spectacle of all and football too is part of it. Though the medals earned here are hardly deemed of any great significance in the world of football, it adds to oneai??i??s list of honours nevertheless. Football is nearing its culmination point at the Olympics and the quest for gold is reduced to being a race between Brazil and Mexico. The tournament, though not held in the greatest regard, was still a chance to gauge the health of various national teamsai??i?? youth programs since the majority of players fielded are under the age of 23.

Some big surprises were thrown early in the tournament itself when the recent European and World Champions Spain were shownAi??the exit doors from the group stages by the lesser fancied nations. Uruguay too came with big expectations but failed to advance past their group. Hosts Great Britain were eliminated from the Quarter Finals and thus was ended the journey of another supposedly big team with names more familiar to the followers of European football.

The finals however should present an opportunity to the fans to witness an excellent game of football. Both the teams possess young and exciting talent. Many of the Brazil youngsters are already touted to be the stars of near future and big name European clubs are coveting their signatures; some of them have already been even signed. They have certainly been the best team in the tournament so far having won each of the games they played. Their defence leaves a lot to be desired but their flair in the final third more than makes up for it.

Mexico on the other hand, did not set things afire during the group stages but their knockout games have been pretty high-scoring and eventful. They will be the underdogs for the finals and one might just feel will relatively be at ease for already having overachieved. This is the first time the Mexican team has reached to this stage in the competition during Olympics and an upset in the final hurdle will bring home unprecedented glory.

Team News & Tactical Brief

Brazil

Maintaining sync with the brand of football they have exhibited over the years, this Brazilian side too is extremely potent going forward and the artistry on display is abundant while they are on the ball. The only problem they are facing is with the defence despite the calming presence of their influential senior team captain and arguably the worldai??i??s best centre back Thiago Silva. Brazil have leaked in too many goals for any managerai??i??s liking and this shall definitely be a matter of concern for the five-time world champions who are yet to win a gold at the Olympics ahead of going into the final.

Menez should continue to deploy his favoured 4-2-1-3 formation that easily transforms into 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 when the forwards drop a little deeper while off the ball. Internacional striker Damiao leading the attacking line flanked on either side by Neymar and Hulk. New Chelsea signing Oscar will be the linkage between the midfield and the attack and is expected to feed both linear and diagonal balls inside the box for the forwards to latch on to.

Neymar has been renowned much for his artistry on the ball but during the course of the tournament he has been seen focusing more on creating spaces for the other attackers and is extremely decisive with his movement off the ball that ensures his colleagues in the final third keep losing their markers. Ganso too may come into play later in the second half and Brazil have a very strong attacking backup in the form of Pato and Lucas Moura.

The midfield will largely consist of only two players who dedicatedly keep winning the balls and help retain possession. Both Sandro and Romulo should start the game in their regular position and since Brazil have been found wanting and outnumbered in their own half on multiple occasions, both the midfielders will be expected to assist the defence.

The defensive line will be made up of Rafael, Thiago Silva, Juan Jesus and Marcelo. Despite the names being fairly familiar in Europeai??i??s club football circles, the results have been far from convincing. The two full backs might need to track back a little more effectively to ensure Brazil are guarded on the flanks when they lose the ball at critical positions. This is one area where their defence is greatly likely to be exposed.

Probable Starting Lineup: Gabriel; Rafael, Silva, Juan, Marcelo; Sandro, Romulo; Oscar; Hulk, Damiao, Neymar

Brazil

Brazil

Mexico

The Mexicans are always regarded an underdog that everyone wants to avoid meeting at crucial stages in an international tournament and once again they have just proved why. After a fairly slow start to the campaign that began with a goalless draw against South Korea, Mexico began to take their game forward and managed to top their group with wins that followed in the two consequent games. However, at the very appropriate time in the tournament, did they shift to the top gears and their performances in the two knockout games clearly explain this.

The win particularly over Japan in the semi-finals was a top notch performance. Mexico were trailing having conceded the first goal but bounced back emphatically to show Japan the exit doors with a 3-1 win. Beating Japan must have done a world of good to their confidence levels and they are at little choice but to believe in themselves to accomplish the unthinkable against the mighty Brazilians.

Throughout the tournament, Mexico have played with a sweeper alongside their regular 4-man defence who adds numbers to their defensive wall. During the group stages, a three-man midfield used to feed two strikers up front and perhaps the most talented of the lot Giovanni dos Santos was only used as a second half substitute. However, the Barcelona youth product has now started two consecutive knockout games and is likely to start the finals too which means Mexico will deploy a three-pronged attack compromising a player in the midfield.

With a license to run up and down the pitch, dos Santos will largely operate as a creator but may fancy a chance or two himself as a false nine cashing in on opportunities created from the wide. The two regular forwards will be Fabian and Peralta while Enriquez and Aquino will complete the midfield.

Probable Starting Lineup: Corona; Jimenez, Salcido, Mier, Chavez, Reyes; Aquino, Enriquez; Pertala, dos Santos, Fabian

Potential Game Changers

Neymar (Brazil) & Giovanni dos Santos (Mexico)

Though much has been said and heard about Damiao for being the top goal-scorer, Neymar undoubtedly remains the most crucial player for the South Americans. His pace, artistry, movement both on and off the ball will go down a long way in determining the outcome of the game.

Neymarai??i??s most influential counterpart in the opposite ranks is Giovanni dos Santos and the former Barcelona man will ensure their presence is felt in between Brazil and their glory.

Prediction

Brazil 3-2 Mexico

Brazil have been extremely shaky while defending during the whole tournament and that might just continue to happen. They might even concede first and give Mexico a chance to dictate terms but they have enough firepower to turn things in their favour which they eventually should on their way to the gold.

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Olympics 2012 Final Preview – Brazil Favorites Against Mexico

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