Russia vs Brazil – International Friendly – Preview

Russia vs Brazil – International Friendly – Preview

Russia vs Brazil – Friday, March 23, 16:00 GMT/17:00 CET – Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow – Russia

Russia vs Brazil will take place at the newly refurbished Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Russia vs Brazil will take place at the newly refurbished Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Every way Stanislav Cherchesov turns, another player falls with a severe injury. After the farcical scenes last autumn when it was claimed that there wasn’t a single international outfit available to play the Russian national team, leaving Dinamo Moscow to fill in as ‘hybrid friendly’ opponents, the opportunity to further test Sbornaya against the very best in the world is slightly tainted by the enforced withdrawals. Brazilian-born Mario Fernandes is still at least a month away from regaining fitness, but the latest scare is Ruslan Kambolov who limped out of training ahead of this friendly with a muscle strain in his left buttock. The versatile Rubin Kazan defender, who is equally adept at playing as a holding midfielder, would have been confident of starting given the absentees in his department.

Georgi Dzhikia and Viktor Vasin are already ruled out of the World Cup – despite the former’s social media posts suggesting a late charge to regain fitness – not to mention the international retirement of the Berezutskiy twins Vasiliy and Aleksey, leaving defensive options thin on the ground. Cherchesov has been steadfast in his vision of playing a back three for the national team he once represented as a goalkeeper, which means that he will have to turn to the experienced head of Vladimir Granat and Roman Neustädter or put faith in the out-of-form Ilya Kutepov. Aleksandr Kokorin’s recent anterior cruciate ligament injury leaves a space in the squad up front, and a possible reshuffle of formation, but at this late stage it is likely the backline will remain as a three.

Fyodor Smolov was already guaranteed a starting place with his undisputed status as Russia’s number one forward, but the big question remains who is likely to start alongside him – or whether he will play as a lone frontman. The favourite to compliment his predatory instincts is Lokomotiv Moscow’s darling Aleksey Miranchuk as a free number 10, backed up by a solid midfield of Denis Glushakov, Alan Dzagoev and Aleksandr Golovin. The hugely encouraging showings last November against Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Spain will be a massive boost ahead of two more former world champion, but the pressure is steadily mounting on not just the players’ form but also their fitness.

The significant headline act will be absent from Tite’s thrilling setup in Moscow, but the understudies are of such high class it is of little relief. Neymar Jr picked up a broken metatarsal injury in February that will keep him out until the domestic season is all but over, although it is understood his club side Paris Saint-Germain and national team are confident he will be fit for the finals themselves. In his place could, in theory, be any of Roberto Firmino, Willian, Taison, Willian José or Douglas Costa, but the expectation is that it will be the latter.

Brazil’s allure comes from a long history of success on the world stage and an electric style, but they have serious ghosts to banish from their heaviest-ever defeat. The utter humiliation of a home World Cup semi-final 7-1 thrashing at the hands of Germany – whom they face next week – still burns on the national psyche. After a horrendous start to their qualification campaign under Dunga, it seemed the burden would unthinkably threaten their place at the finals for the first time, but Tite’s magic touch swung back their fortunes to see O Canarinho become the first nation to confirm their spot after the hosts.

Although there are an embarrassment of riches to call upon, Brazil must still learn how to live without their talismanic star. Neymar is already the country’s fourth-highest goalscorer of all time, but if his injury problems don’t fully subside by June, an alternative plan will be essential. After making the unusual step of confirming 15 of his 23-man squad for the summer, Tite has shown a huge amount of confidence in his chosen core – now they must show they have the adaptability to work in different systems.

Russia vs Brazil – Players to Watch

Aleksey Miranchuk #15  – Russia (Lokomotiv Moscow)

In the absence of Aleksandr Kokorin, the burden of creating chances for the main man Fedor Smolov lies heavily with the Lokomotiv Moscow star. Miranchuk has been on sublime form this season, striking up a fantastic understanding with Manuel Fernandes at club level, and playing a variety of nuanced roles to display a heightened level of maturity. With his expected role behind Smolov the only tangible link between a compact midfield three and the front line, Russia’s chances of breaking behind the combustible Brazilian anchor Casemiro lie with the fleet-footed youngster. As one of Russia’s most in-demand marketable young stars, this summer is a huge platform for his talents, and Brazil offer one of the sternest tests.

Aleksey Miranchuk has seen his transfer evaluation increase significantly. (Photo by Epsilon/Getty Images)

Aleksey Miranchuk is having an excellent season with Lokomotiv Moscow. (Photo by Epsilon/Getty Images)

Philippe Coutinho #11  – Brazil (Barcelona)

The Barcelona star is likely to be asked to move back into a midfield three, a role he played at Liverpool last season to mixed effect. Circumstances are far different of course, with a more talented group of teammates around him to share the responsibility, but his ingenuity to supply a lightning-fast front three. Cherchesov has some reshuffling to do in defence, but the system is known and used by most players at club level and will provide numbers to mark the attacking threat. Coutinho from deep, however, could be the most challenging element in this equation.

Philippe Coutinho has been excellent for his club Barcelona lately. (PAU BARRENA/AFP/Getty Images)

Philippe Coutinho has been excellent for his club Barcelona lately. (PAU BARRENA/AFP/Getty Images)

Russia vs Brazil – Match Stats

  • Since reforming as a nation after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia have only played Brazil five times, and have never beaten them
  • The last time these two countries met competitively – at USA ‘94 – Romario scored the opener; he is now running for state governor
  • Russia have won just four of their 13 friendlies since Cherchesov took over in August 2016, and once at home in 18 months, with 13 goals conceded in the last seven at home
  • None of Brazil’s team from their last victory on Russian soil in 2006 are still playing
  • Brazil have lost just once in 18 months, conceding just four goals in those 17 matches
  • Brazil have lost just once away from home in almost five years, and haven’t conceded more than one goal on the road in over two years

Futbolgrad Network Prediction: Russia vs Brazil – 2-2

Russia vs Brazil – Possible Lineups

Russia

Formation: 3-5-1-1

Akinfeev – Kutepov, Granat, Kudryashov – Samedov, Golovin, Glushakov, Dzagoev, Rausch – Aleksey Miranchuk – Smolov

Manager: Stanislav Cherchesov

Brazil

Formation: 4-3-3

Alisson – Daniel Alves, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Marcelo – Casemiro, Paulinho, Coutinho – Willian, Douglas Costa, Gabriel Jesus

Manager: Tite

Andrew Flint is an English freelance football writer living in Tyumen, Western Siberia, with his wife and two daughters. He has featured on These Football Times, Russian Football News, Four Four Two and Sovetski Sport, mostly focusing on full-length articles about derbies, youth development and the game in Russia. Due to his love for FC Tyumen, he is particularly interested in lower league Russian football, and is looking to establish himself in time for the 2018 World Cup. Follow Andrew on Twitter @AndrewMijFlint.

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