FIFA World Cup Preview: Brazil vs Serbia

FIFA 2022 World Cup

Group G: Brazil vs Serbia

24 November 2022

Lusail Stadium, Lusail

KO- 21:00 (SA Time)

Match Preview:

Armed with the tag of being virtually everyone’s favourites to lift a record sixth FIFA World Cup title in Qatar, Brazil kick-off their World Cup campaign at the Lusail stadium against Serbia on Thursday.

The two teams met in Russia in 2018 and the Selecao cruised to a 2-0 win during the group stages with Thiago Silva and Paulinho on target.

Brazil, who come into this tournament as the number one ranked country in the world, had a seamless qualification campaign in the Conmebol, with a record-breaking run that saw them collecting a total of 45 points. They are unbeaten in their last 15 matches.

Now in his sixth year at the helm, Coach Tite counts the Olympic title and Copa America as his highest achievements, but a World Cup title is the ultimate, in order to join an exclusive club.

Meanwhile, the Serbians are still searching for their first passage into the knockout phase, having exited in the group stages in their past three campaigns in the World Cup since gaining independence in 1990.

They are also one of the teams that enjoyed good success at the continental level, but have struggled to transfer that form to a World Cup stage. They have their work cut out for them in Group G which includes Switzerland and Cameroon.

But don’t rule out Dragan Stojkovic’s Eagles, who come to this tournament ranked 25th globally after topping their group in the qualifiers.

Team News:

Brazil

The good news for Brazil coming into this game is that they have a fully fit squad available for selection, with players like Antony, Bruno Guimaraes, and Alex Telles all recovered from minor injuries.

After wrapping up their preparations for the World Cup in style last week, hammering a well-determined Tunisian 5-1, Tite and his team focus on his preferred 4-1-4-1 or 4-2-3-1, with captain and Chelsea defender Thiago Silva marshalling the back four alongside Danilo, Marquinhos, Alex Sandro, in front of first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker of Liverpool. 

Casemiro and Lucas are tipped to man the centre-midfield, with star player Neymar having the free role and Raphinha and Vinicius Junior operating as wingers. It remains to be seen, who will Tite go for, to lead the attack, Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus or Tottenham Hotspur’s Richarlson.

Serbia

The Serbian camp has not been so fortunate when it comes to injuries. Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has not fully recovered from an ankle injury and could start on the bench, this would see the possibility of Fiorentina and former Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic starting up front alongside Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus.

Like most teams so far in this tournament, Serbia could employ a three-man defence, a similar formation that they started with during the 5-1 demolition of Bahrain in their last international friendly last week.

One of Serbia’s strengths coming to this tournament is having players at top clubs and in the top five leagues in the European market. Their impact could be telling in this World Cup.

Players to watch

Neymar – Brazil

Age: 30

Club: Paris St Germain 

At 30-years-old, Neymar can still go to the next  World Cup in 2026, but it’s unlikely he would be as effective as he is currently, especially as an attacker. This makes this World Cup crucial for Neymar to be the star Pele, Romario, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho were for the Selecao, and lead Brazil to a record-extending sixth cup.

Neymar scored six goals in the past two world editions, but has sad memories of exiting in two consecutive quarterfinals. He will be hoping for a third time lucky so he can wear the iconic no.10 with pride.

Dusan Vlahovic – Serbia

Age: 22

Club: Juventus

Just earlier this season, Dusan Vlahovic at age 22 became the highest goal-scoring Serbian in Serie A in all competitions this season. He scored seven goals and provided two assists from 15 matches.

Having joined Juve from Fiorentina in January this year, he went on to finish the season with 29 goals, as he added nine for his new team to the 20 that he had already scored for La Viola before joining the Old Lady.  A ruthless scoring machine!

Commanding some psychical presence and a knack for finishing decisive opportunities, these are the qualities Serbia will need from Vlahovic to take them to the knockout phase.