International Football - Brazil: Players to watch

Eurosport - Thu, 12 Nov 16:07:00 2009

A look at who England may have to contend with in their Doha friendly against Brazil this weekend, with the key players and relative unknowns detailed in our Brazil squad profile.

FOOTBALL Brazil Kaka - 0

Julio Cesar

One of three Internazionale players expected to start the match, keeper Cesar has only conceded 10 goals in 12 Serie A matches for the Italian league leaders this season and recently signed a new contract to pour cold water on speculation linking him to Manchester United.

Not the tallest of shot-stopper, the 30-year-old is blessed with excellent handling skills and positioning and is rated by Italy star Gianluigi Buffon and Brazil coach Dunga as the best in his position in the world at the moment.

He is prone to the odd off-day though, seen most recently in the 2-1 league win over Catania where one of two howlers saw him give away a penalty that handed the visitors a route back into the match.

Maicon

Another Inter star, Maicon should continue at right-back ahead of Daniel Alves, who only recently returned to the Barcelona bench from injury for the 4-2 win over Mallorca.

Maicon is a classic attacking Brazilian full-back in the mould of Cafu and Roberto Carlos, bagging three goals in 11 matches so far this Serie A campaign and attracting attention from Manchester United and Manchester City.

The former Monaco and Cruzeiro man is quick, direct and skilful, and at over six feet tall a bigger physical presence than Alves.

Expect a tasty battle with whoever fills in for Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole on England's left: James Milner and Wayne Bridge are the likely candidates.

Kaka

The Real Madrid man has been in good form for his club, scoring a wonderful goal in the 3-2 win at Atletico Madrid.

The recent absence of team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo has allowed him to take a central role for Real, although he has not been helped by a leaky defence.

Kaka was the star man in Brazil's last match against England, a 1-1 friendly draw at Wembley during Steve McClaren's ill-fated European Championship qualifying campaign.

His passing and movement are second-to-none, and his long-shots always a threat. Expect Gareth Barry to stay very close to him.

Michel Bastos

The Lyon midfielder gets his first call-up for the Seleccao, vindicating his decision to leave Lille in an 18 million euro deal this summer.

A goal-scoring winger, the 26-year-old has bagged three goals in his nine appearances so far for Lyon and hit 14 in Ligue 1 the previous campaign.

He can also play as an emergeny full-back which may have to be the case after Liverpool's Fabio Aurelio withdrew injured.

Like Aurelio, Bastos has a sweet left peg and is a big threat from set-plays.

Carlos Eduardo

Another attacking midfielder and potential debutant, the Hoffenheim man has been a key player in the village side's ascent from the lower leagues to Bundesliga contenders.

Also left-footed, the 22-year-old joined the German side two years ago in what was then a record deal for a second division side, at eight million euros.

He is diminutive but quick and, in addition to the dribbling and passing skills one would expect of a Brazilian playmaker, Eduardo can finish - he hit 10 goals in the Bundesliga last season.

Hulk

That the bustling Porto hit-man has been called up for the first time is no great surprise, but that his inclusion came at the expense of Milan's starlet Alexandre Pato is something of an eyebrow raiser.

He is not the tallest but, like a young Alan Shearer, is built like an outside toilet and, unsurprisingly, bears a strong resemblance to Lou Ferrigno's TV version of the muscle-bound comic-book hero.

The 23-year-old joined the Portuguese champions in 2008, before which he fine-tuned his trade in Japan where he set the goal-scoring charts alight with Tokyo Verdy.

Since then his strike-rate has been less impressive, closer to one in four than the 70 in 102 he managed in Japan.

But his power, pace and clever hold-up play make him a real handful and the ideal foil to his silky team-mates.

Reda Maher / Eurosport

Comment 25 - 44 of 44

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  1. i hope darren bent starts too,he is on fire!this game­ is a chance for the second string to impress so im­ going for a draw.as for the england haters.....were­ going to the world cup muhahahaha

    From Kieran, on Sat 14 Nov 12:19PM

  2. Watch Houston Dynamo v Los Angeles Galaxy – LIVE­ Football Stream
    just google totalfootballmadness

    From J, on Sat 14 Nov 3:27AM

  3. i cant c england doing well in this 1 with most first­ choice players out gerrard is probably one of few­ england players who can come near kakas passing and­ long shot abilities is out as is lampard as well i hear­ also gerrards tackling could have been a diference in­ defence on the right wing and the los of ashely cole­ wont help either then the right full back jonshon is­ out and in a game where lets face england will likely­ be under near constant pressure thefirst choice­ goalkeeper is also out injured now john terry is having­ problems i cant see a better scoreline than 4-2 to­ brazil

    From dumgaz, on Sat 14 Nov 2:21AM

  4. there's no doubt , most if not all Brazillian­ players are players to watch, but i promise you one­ thing, as far as Capelo remain England coach England­ will walk over Brazil ok
    Brazil players to watch v­ England team to watch ................ hahaha

    From alozieuk, on Fri 13 Nov 10:09PM

  5. why comparing the brazilian stars with the english­ stars?they are not matchable.brazil is great.

    From juliet, on Fri 13 Nov 9:41PM

  6. why comparing the brazilian stars with the english­ stars?they are not matchable.brazil is great.

    From juliet, on Fri 13 Nov 9:41PM

  7. REMEMBER WINDSOR PARK IF U CANT BEAT NORTHERN IRELAND­ WHAT CHANCE HAVE U AGAINST THE BRAZILIANS WHEN ENGLAND­ QUALIFY THEY ALWAYS GO ON ABOUT WINNING THE WORLD CUP .­ WHAT A PACK OF MUPPETS. REMEMBER [ Where not BRAZIL­ were NORTHERN IRELAND] LOL

    From g.porter1974, on Fri 13 Nov 8:31PM

  8. i am a teacup you are some kind of a joke EPL is the­ best league in the world by far... just look at the­ past two years Champions league final four... probably­ you are the one on coke...LOL

    From tunio321, on Fri 13 Nov 8:08PM

  9. "Marcelo is not as good as Ashley Cole. Robinho­ is not as good as Rooney, Lucio is a liability and is­ nowhere near as good as Terry. Melo can't be that­ good or he wouldn't have chosen to play in Italy,­ he could have gone to the­ Emmirates in the summer but­ chose to switch clubs and stay in Italy where this­ season he will win lets see hmmmmmmmm­ NOTHING!"

    you're an extremely deluded­ individual.
    firstly Marcelo doesn't start, and when­ he does it's as a left winger not left back, so­ comparing him to Cole is dumb.
    Lucio vs Rooney is a far­ easier matchup in Lucio's favour than Terry vs Luis­ Fabiano... regardless of how much you want to overrate­ Terry.
    Robinho is far better than Rooney, are you on­ coke? and you're comparing a midfielder and striker­ this time.
    Melo can't be that good, or else­ he'd have chosen to go to Arsenal who will win what­ this season? ummm NOTHING.
    Serie A is a far better­ league to for midfielders of his position, as he plays­ against better defenders as well as in a more tactical­ league.

    Please stop, your bias is what makes­ supporters around the world dislike the English.

    From *sempre per te*solo con te*, on Fri 13 Nov 6:04PM

  10. Good Luck Darren - if you get on !

    From SAFC Babe, on Fri 13 Nov 5:51PM

  11. Dale mate totally agree with you! i was surprised diego­ wasnt on this list, he is a fantastic player but i wish­ he stayed at bundasliga where he really shined for me!­ my favourite non-liverpool player for the past 2-3­ years! =]

    From ray, on Fri 13 Nov 5:19PM

  12. Who do you think is Rooney's best partner up front­ i think Alan Shearer...LOL

    From tunio321, on Fri 13 Nov 4:58PM

  13. Anyone else think, a tad bit, that Kaka, Robinho and­ Melo might just be a little overated? I think Diego is­ GOOD atm and should push Kaka for the same position.­ Don't get me wrong, they are all good, but current­ form....hmmmm ennnh.

    From Dale, on Fri 13 Nov 4:54PM

  14. what do you know about football to comment like­ thatz!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    (dedicate to NURULAIN)

    From greenstreet06, on Fri 13 Nov 4:30PM

  15. Milton comment 31- You must be thick as pig s hit­ we've already won the world cup so your statement­ is void!

    From john, on Fri 13 Nov 3:21PM

  16. what the feck is a political party muppet doing here?­ feck off somewhere else man, this space is reserved for­ football, you fecking spammer.

    From jarikamal, on Fri 13 Nov 3:07PM
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    all you dumb english know you are second rate...will­ NEVER win the world cup and won't have a shot­ against brasil...damn LOSERS!!

    From milton, on Fri 13 Nov 2:59PM

  18. Dale, yes that is why I said 'fully fit'­ england team i.e if we had a full complement of players­ to choose from.

    I'd like to see Denilson, Lucas­ and Anderson play too but Lucas would probably fluke a­ goal out of nothing like Babel against Lyon.

    From john, on Fri 13 Nov 2:54PM
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    brazil sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From nurulain sukeri, on Fri 13 Nov 2:49PM

  20. The point is "im a teacup" Kaka and the rest­ of the Brazilian team lack heart, that is why when he­ played Union for Real Madrid, the 3rd division club he­ was on the losing team, if there is a battle he­ doesn't have the mindset to get stuck in and make­ tackles and close people down, that is why England will­ always have a shout against Brazil. Marcelo is not as­ good as Ashley Cole. Robinho is not as good as Rooney,­ Lucio is a liability and is nowhere near as good as­ Terry. Melo can't be that good or he wouldn't­ have chosen to play in Italy, he could have gone to the­ Emmirates in the summer but chose to switch clubs and­ stay in Italy where this season he will win lets see­ hmmmmmmmm NOTHING!

    From john, on Fri 13 Nov 2:46PM
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