In his first game in charge of the national team BrazilDorival Júnior will have before him the Englandone of the favorites next time Euro Cup and with more than pending accounts with the ‘Canarinha’. Because the English have only defeated Brazil once in 34 years and that was in 2013, at the dawn of the 2014 World Cup in which they failed, as is the usual trend in a team that now seems prepared to improve what was achieved three years ago in the Euro Cupwhen only penalties took away the first title since the 1966 World Cup.
The English, yes, will not be able to show their gala eleven, because Bukayo Saka He was dropped from the squad this Thursday due to injury and had to return to the club to undergo rehabilitation. Added to the loss of the Arsenal winger is the key doubt of Harry Kanewho did not train this Friday, and Jordan Henderson, who, in any case, would not have been a starter. Cole Palmer, who had been doing individual work, was in the last session before the crash.
Without Kane, England loses its captain and the man who has 37 goals and 12 assists for Bayern Munich this season. His absence can be covered Ivan Toney, in his first call after the betting case that kept him away for eight months, or Ollie Watkins, scorer of 22 goals this season with Aston Villa. The midfield of Gareth Southgate’s team will be led by Jude Bellingham in the midfield position and not as a ‘ten’, as in the Real Madridand flanked by Declan Rice, the pivot, and Phil Foden, as a more offensive option.
In Brazilthis duel marks the debut in the national team of Dorival Junior, hired last January. It is the first match against a European team since they fell in the quarterfinals of the Qatar World Cup 2022 against Croatia and one of the two clashes that the Brazilians will play in this European mini-tour, the second will be against Spain at the Santiago Bernabéu (March 26).
The Brazilians have had to make an almost urgent call-up, with Alisson and Ederson as casualties in goal, Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos in defense, Casemiro in the midfield and Gabriel Martinelli in attack. Without these players, Bento, from Paranaense, will occupy the goal, with Bremer, the last to join the concentration, and Beraldo as a central pair.
Dorival will be able to try a Premier League midfield, with Bruno Guimaraes and Douglas Luizand then you have two options, one more offensive, with Raphinha and another with Lucas Paquetá, who had missed the team’s last calls due to alleged match-fixing. With Richarlison as a starting ‘nine’, once his problems with goals at Tottenham Hotspur are overcome, where he has scored nine goals since October, all eyes will be on Vinícius Juniorin a scenario like Wembleyand in itself Rodrygo will be the owner with Brazil.
In the case of Viníciushas not scored for the national team since June of last year, while Rodrygo has started Brazil’s last five games and has not contributed with goals or assists. Endrick, the pearl of Palmeiras signed by Real Madrid, will wait his turn on the bench. After this Friday’s friendly, Brazil will go to Madrid to face Spain e England will return to the concentration center in St.George’s Park to play against Belgium on March 26.
Possible alignments
Inglaterra: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Gomez; Rice, Bellingham, Foden; Bowen, Rashford y Maddison.
Brazil: Bento; Danilo, Bremer, Beraldo, Wendell; Guimaraes, Luiz, Raphinha, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr; y Richarlison.
Estadio
Wembley (Londres).
How and where to watch England-Brazil on television
The match will be offered by UEFA TV from 8:00 p.m. Spanish time