Five time world champions and hosts Brazil will face Croatia as the teams kick off what promises to be a fantastic edition of the FIFA World Cup at the Arena de Sao Paolo on Thursday, June 5.
Brazil are hot favourites for the FIFA World Cup 2014 and the current lot will have to deal with the pressure of having to carry the expectations of a great many people. While the expectation of the people of this football crazy nation has always been to win, this year’s tournament will be especially significant with Brazil playing at home.
Although Brazil did not have to qualify for the current edition of the Cup, the run up to the tournament has been as planned for Luiz Felipe Scolari, who has been tasked to make sure that the team which has not missed playing in a world cup so far win a record sixth world cup in front of their home fans.
Most of the Brazilian players play their football abroad for top European clubs and this will be a great chance for them to shine in front of their home fans, just like they did in the Confederations Cup last year where they went on to defeat the reigning world champions Spain 3-0 in the finals.
Brazil are expected to go in with a 4-3-3 formation with the holding midfielders bombing forward in alternate bursts. Luiz Gustavo and Paulinho are expected to start in those roles with Oscar sitting in front in the space behind the number 9, Fred.
Hulk and Neymar will start in their favoured advanced roles on either flank. Skipper Thiago Silva and David Luiz will start in the center of defence with Dani Alves and Marcelo occupying either wing back slots. Julio Cesar remains first choice ‘keeper despite his questionable club form.
Croatia have come into the tournament on the back of winning a relatively easy qualifier against Iceland after coming second to Belgium in their group. Mario Mandzukic is suspended for the opener and Nikica Jelavic and Eduardo will fight for the spot up top with Coach Niko Kovac also preferring a 4-2-3-1 formation.