Brazil - Chile: Copa América, 1/4 Finals Online

Path to the playoffs

Brazil in their group B looked as confident as possible and scored 10 points out of 12 possible in four matches. The draw happened only in the last round with Ecuador, but by this match the national team had already guaranteed itself access to the playoffs, and therefore Tite resorted to a fairly large-scale rotation, so this result was natural.

Chile, on the other hand, had to suffer much more: until the last round, there was not only no confidence in the passage further, but the chances of relegation were completely significant. In four games, the Chileans scored only five points and left from fourth place. Out of five, yes. True, there was only one defeat - but against the formidable Paraguay, for greater symbolism.

Key Points

Brazil

1. In the last match of the group, Tite let the base rest

And this is the most logical thing he could do: by that time, Brazil had already coped with the tasks in the group stage, they should have had a rest before the playoffs, so the match with Ecuador for the Selesao no longer meant anything. Like a draw in it.

It is much more important that all the key players managed to rest: Neymar, Richarlison, and Casemiro, and Thiago Silva, and Alex Sandro, and Danilo. Fred and Gabriel Jesus also sat down, however, the latter is more likely due to a small injury. But in this match, all of them are expected to return to the field - of course, from the first minutes.

2. What is going on with the goalkeepers?

In the course of the tournament, in principle, it is clear that Tite does not shy away from point rotation. But something atypical for major tournaments is happening with goalkeepers - you can offhand say the last time you saw that in the top team for four matches tournament-type competitions at a level higher than pre-season freight trains and water pump championships, three goalkeepers appeared at the gate ? And that is exactly what is happening in Brazil.

Alisson started the tournament as the first number - he also ended the group stage in the useless game with Ecuador. His replacement Ederson played with Peru, and Weverton came out with Colombia. And the leapfrog does not plan to end: Ederson is expected again from Chile.

It is clear that having such a set at the gate, it is a sin to complain and you can afford the luxury of releasing a new high-class goalkeeper, because even the third number, Weverton, is an absolutely high-class keeper and one of the best in South America. And it is clear that stability can sometimes be sacrificed when everyone approached this summer with terrible fatigue after a year of an endless marathon. But won't this come back to haunt Tita at some point? We'll see soon.

Chile

1. Alexis Sanchez is ready to return. Or not?

The Chilean national team before this tournament had cause for concern even before all the typical Chilean stories about either a hairdresser or more interesting violators of the covid "bubble" that burst last week (that's right, the legendary La Roja generation should loudly slam the door to the best their traditions). This, of course, is about the loss of Alexis Sanchez right before the tournament - a shin injury did not allow him to play even once in the group stage.

Martin Lasarte with grief in half figured out how to replace him, but it turned out with varying degrees of success. And now he has a chance to return to his original tactical ideas: Sanchez returned to training and, apparently, is ready to start with Brazil. Yes, he is not too confident in his abilities yet and has trained with the team just a couple of times, but he was pulled into the starting lineup and in a much less ready state. And on him and his creativity, apparently, all hope. Because…

2. There is practically no one to score against Chile. Except the eternal Vargas

In this tournament, the Chileans scored three goals in four matches - they have never been a team that gives out defeat after defeat, and have always preferred small scores under almost all managers in recent years, but this is too quiet even by its standards. All three goals were scored by the same person: Eduardo Vargas. Two goals scored and one assist is already the best statistic for a striker who has been clearly playing for the national team in recent days in major tournaments since the anniversary Copa America 2016, when he became the cup's top scorer for the second and last time.

In addition to him, the team's attack looks rather sluggish. Young ex-Englishman Ben Brereton from Blackburn triumphantly broke into the starting lineup immediately after his debut and scored that very third goal of the national team, but otherwise he still lacks confidence. Other options like Cesar Pinares and Jean Meneses are out of the question. And this is another reason why the return of Alexis Sanchez is expected like manna from heaven.