Costa Rica-Brazil Preview

October 6th, 2011 | by: Duvel | Comments Off

Costa Rica v. Brazil

Friday, October 7, 2011, 10:00 P.M. ET
Estádio Nacional, San Jose, Costa Rica
TV links

Brazil goes back to work tomorrow night when they face Costa Rica at the brand new Estádio Nacional in San Jose. Brazil is coming off a 2-0 win over Argentina in a match where both sides featured domestic based players.

This is a match that Brazil should easily win under normal circumstances. However, the team has stuggled to score goals under Mano Menezes. Complicating that effort will possibly be the weather in San Jose, where rain is expected during the match.

Mano Menezes will be starting a less than impressive starting XI, with Fred getting the call up top to lead the attack.

This is the debut of former Colombia manager Jorge Luis Pinto at the helm of Los Ticos. His side is coming off a deserving 1-0 victory over the United States last month. However, this is a side in transition as it prepares of qualifying.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Jefferson (Botafogo), Neto (Fiorentina)

Defenders: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Adriano (Barcelona), Fabio da Silva (Manchester United), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Dede (Vasco), David Luiz (Chelsea), Thiago Silva (Milan) e Rever (Atletico Mineiro)

Midfielders: Elias (Sporting), Fernandinho (Shakthar Donetsk), Hernanes (Lazio), Lucas (Sao Paulo), Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Luiz Gustavo (Bayern Munich), Oscar (Internacional), Ralf (Corinthians)

Forwards: Ronaldinho (Flamengo), Fred (Fluminense), Hulk (Porto), Kleber (Porto) Neymar (Santos) e Jonas (Valencia)

Starting XI: Julio César; Fábio, David Luiz, Thiago Silva e Adriano; Ralf, Luiz Gustavo e Ronaldinho; Lucas, Neymar e Fred

Prediction: Brazil 1-0 Costa Rica