Brazil Vs Argentina: Messi & Neymar to go head to head in the "super classico"
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Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr will face off as Brazil to take-on Argentina in the clash of the South American super classico. Image Source: Xtra Time[/caption]
Internet Desk: Barca superstars Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr will face off as Brazil to take-on Argentina in the clash of the South American super classico in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying battle at the Estadio Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte tomorrow.Neymar Jr has ten assists in all competitions this season, and half of them have been for Messi.
Neymar's Brazil currently is sitting on top of their group and host struggling arch rivals Argentina in this vital clash that embodies South American rivalry. Brazil's new Head Coach Tite will be hoping that his side can get a win in the match which can heal the pain the of the supporters who witnessed a 7-goal humiliation in the last World Cup semi final against Germany.
Tite has made only one change to his squad for the November World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Peru. His side have won all four of their World Cup qualifiers since he took over from Dunga following a disappointing run of results for the five-time world champions, rocketing from sixth to top. The fans will be hoping that Neymar will be the man to find a way past Argentina’s defense as they push towards World Cup Qualification. Their manager has added Sao Paulo’s Rodrigo Caio to his squad to cover for possible loss of Real Madrid’s Casemiro who broke a bone in his leg during training.
After a 1-0 loss Paraguay last month, which saw Sergio Aguero miss a penalty, Argentina are out now of the automatic qualification spots with eight games to go as a result of a recent ruling. Though Aguero might be benched by Argentine boss Bauza to start the proceedings with Higuain and Messi on the up front, his Manchester City teammates Otamendi and Pablo Zabaleta can stop Brazil from scoring. Javier Mascherano will play in midfield alongside Lucas Biglia with Enzo Perez on the right and Angel Di Maria supporting Messi and Higuain from the left.
Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo has also been left out in favour of San Lorenzo’s Emanuel Mas.Lionel Messi on the other hand has had a roller-coaster experience while facing the Selecao - losing the 2007 Copa America final and then, the following year, commanding the Albiceleste in a drubbing of the Brazilians in the semifinals at the Beijing Olympics. In seven games against Argentina's great rivals, Messi has scored four goals but also lost four times.
Neymar, with 49 goals in 73 internationals, is fourth on Brazil’s list of all-time leading marksmen behind Pele (77 in 91), Ronaldo (62 in 98) and Romario (55 in 70).
The Brazilians will start as favorites for this game but Argentina are playing for their World Cup survival, so, there is plenty as stake for them.
Head to Head: According to FIFA, the match at the Mineirao will be the 102nd encounter between Brazil and Argentina and the Selecao leads by 39-37. However, both teams are tied with 159 goals-a-piece.
Probable line-up:
Brazil: Alisson; Alves, Miranda, Marquinhos, Marcelo; Paulinho, Fernandinho, Renato; Coutinho, Jesus, Neymar.
Argentina: Romero; Zabaleta, Mas, Otamendi, Funes Mori; Mascherano, Biglia, Perez, Di Maria; Messi, Higuain
