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Without Vinicius and Neymar, this is Brazil's plan to stop Lionel Messi

Coach Fernando Diniz knows what he has to do with the Argentine forward.

By Darwin Largo

Coach Fernando Diniz knows what he has to do with the Argentine forward.

The most interesting match of the November international break will be played this Tuesday. The Brazilian National Team will face Argentina at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, for the sixth day of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. It is one of the most important rivalries in world soccer, as both teams have great players and usually compete for the most important titles, such as the Copa America and the World Cup.

 

Brazilian coach Fernando Diniz has had many problems lately. He took over the team temporarily, after Tité's departure, as the idea of the Brazilian Football Confederation's chiefs is that from next summer Carlo Ancelotti leaves Real Madrid and travels to South America to start his job.

In the meantime, Diniz is doing his best to make the team show good performances. But in the last few games that did not happen: in October they drew 1-1 vs Venezuela at home and then lost 2-0 to Uruguay in Montevideo. And last week they lost again, 2-1 against Colombia in Barranquilla.

That is why it is very important for them to get a win this Tuesday against Argentina. But it will be a difficult mission. Not only because they face the world champions, with Lionel Messi and other stars like Lautaro Martinez and Angel Di Maria, but also because of the number of injuries they have suffered. Important players such as Vinicius Junior, Neymar Junior, Casemiro and Richarlison could not be part of the squad due to physical problems, and they are joined by Lucas Paquetá and Antony, excluded from the national team due to off-field problems.

 

What will the coach do?

With this scenario, Fernando Diniz will put together a team with some of the stars who are fit to play and other players who have not had many opportunities so far. The possible XI will be: Alisson, Emerson Royal, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Carlos Augusto; André, Bruno Guimaraes; Raphinha, Gabriel Jesus, Rodrygo, Gabriel Martinelli.

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