Brazil are all set to take on Venezuela in a Group C clash of Copa America 2015 at the Estadio Monumental David Arellano, Santiago de Chile on 21 June.
The Selecaos had suffered a shocking defeat in their last game against Colombia. The match was smeared with controversy as Neymar was red-carded beacuse of a banter with a Colombian player and that subsequently led to a four-match ban on him and thereby it also ruled the Barcelona star out of the Copa America 2015. This would mean that Brazil will have to make do without Neymar Junior.
Brazil are currently sitting at the top of the Group C because of their better goal difference. A draw would be enough to push them into the quarter finals of the tournament but Dunga's men would want to prove it to their fans and themselves that they can win games without their star footballer. Dunga (the head coach of Brazil) had stated earlier that they would appeal against Neymar's ban who has been ruled out of Copa America 2015.
"We'll leave this to the CBF. They will present arguments on the measures taken against Neymar. We do not want anything in our favour. Let there be equal judgements for everybody in the competition," Dunga told the reporters.
Philipe Coutinho is liklely to replace Neymar and he has had a decent season for Liverpool. Selecaos defender Miranda is confident that they can win without Neymar and they will have to play good football in order to do well and advance into the knockout stages.
"With regards to Neymar, that is now already resolved. It does not concern this game. We have to think about the problems that we are going to face, we have to think about this game. We have a great squad and high-quality players who are capable of replacing Neymar. We were training as normal (when we heard news of the decision). The moment we found out we were all very sad, he is a great player and very important for Brazil. But it is in the past now.
"Venezuela are a good, strong team, who score quite a few goals and play on the counter-attacker," he added. "We will have to be focused as it will be a difficult and tough game. They have experienced players who have played in Europe. But we are Brazil, we have to show that and play to win," said Miranda ahead of their clash against Venezuela.
Meanwhile, Venezuela would also want to win their last match of the group stages and progress into the quarter final stages of the Copa America 2015. But it will not be easy at all for La Vinotinto. They also have a suspended player as defender Fernando Amorebieta was red carded in their last match against Peru. Amorebieta is likely to be replaced by Gabriel Cichero.
Head coach of Venezuela Noel Sanvicente felt that this was a tough group, but he is happy with the way his boys have performed so far. Surprisingly, each of the four teams in the group has 3 points and Venezuela would want Peru to lose against Colombia. In that case, Venezuela will have to overpower the Selecaos.
"We knew that this group was quite difficult, but we must move fast from the defeat because it is Brazil. We're going with a defeat, but we have the match against a favourite and that motivates us. We know what Brazil are, and without Neymar, we have the team to win," Sanvicente told reporters at a press conference before their encounter with Brazil.
Expected Lineups:
Brazil: Jefferson, Alves, Miranda, Silva, Luis, Fernandinho, Elias, Willian, Costa, Coutinho, Firmino.
Venezuela: Baroja, Cichero, Vizcarrondo, Rosales, Tunez, Arango, Guerra, Rincon, Seijas, Vargas, Rondon.
Where to Watch Live:
The match between Brazil and Venezuela is scheduled for a 6:30 pm local time (3:00 am IST, 10:30 pm BST and 5:30 pm ET) start with live coverage in India on Sony Kix and Sony Six HD. Live streaming option is on Livsports.
Viewers in the UK can switch to Premier Sports. The opening Copa America match can be live streamed on Premier Player.
People in the US can watch the match live on beIn Sports and stream the match live on beIn Sports Connect, Fubo TV and TYC Sports.com.
Viewers in Australia can live stream the match on beIn Sports Connect Australia.
Middle East viewers can watch the match live beIn Sports Arabia 1 HD and beIn Sports Arabia 2 HD.
