The fierce rivalry between Brazil and Argentina will hit fever pitch when Lionel Messi's world champions face the struggling hosts in a mouth-watering South American World Cup qualifying clash in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday.
However, Brazil's caretaker manager Fernando Diniz has no false hopes of stopping Argentine talisman Messi.
"Sure, you can't not worry about a player of that magnitude. But we have to play our game as we try to contain all the creative capacity he has," Diniz told a press conference on Monday.
"Dealing with Messi is obviously different and you have to worry. It's impossible not to worry about a player of his stature and the decision-making power he has."
Five-time World Cup winners Brazil will rely on their fans in a sold-out Maracana stadium to give them an extra boost to recover after losing back-to-back games in the qualifying competition for the first time in their history.
As they struggle with injuries to key players like Neymar and Vinícius Júnior, Diniz must resort to a young team against Argentina, but one that he guarantees will stay true to Brazil's identity even against a great like Messi.
Diniz said he expected a great, but heated, atmosphere at the Maracana, with the fans looking forward to Brazil avenging the Copa America final defeat by Argentina two years ago.
Winless in the last three games, Brazil have dropped to fifth in the South American standings on seven points from five games after losing 2-1 to Colombia on Thursday.
They are under heavy pressure as they prepare for long-time rivals Argentina, who top the standings on 12 points.
"I hope we play well and the fans can play along with the team creating a great environment," Diniz said. "We are prepared to play a team that, if they are not the best [team in the world], they are one of the best. And they have been for a while, not just because they won the World Cup.
"They have players in the biggest leagues, used to the limelight. And there's Messi ... It's a team that's been playing well for a long time, a winning cycle and one that has maintained its base.
"We acknowledge that and we're going to prepare to do our best against a great opponent."
Despite not featuring in the match due to injury, Vinícius stepped up his own personal fight against racism on Monday by launching a campaign under the slogan "Racism, don't pretend you don't see it" on billboards across the country for Black Awareness Day.
The Real Madrid player, who has been racially abused regularly in LaLiga games, received the Socrates Award last month for starting a foundation that is building schools in Brazil in impoverished areas and investing in education.
Alongside the campaign he has also launched through his foundation the "Anti-Racism Education Handbook," which aims to help schools make the educational environment more inclusive and avoid stereotypes that foster prejudice.
The 23-year-old winger, who will head a special FIFA anti-racism committee, has advocated harsher punishments for discriminatory behaviour in football, prompting the Rio de Janeiro government to name a law after him that will see sporting events stopped or suspended for racist conduct.
[(SpVgg Greuther Furth) Strength]: 1. SpVgg Greuther Furth finished 13th in the 2. Bundesliga last season and avoided relegation. They will play at home in this match, giving them a clear home advantage. The team need to display good form and motivation in front of their home fans to earn their support and trust, showing a strong desire to win.2. In the summer window, SpVgg Greuther Furth signed f...
[(Inter Miami CF) Strength]: 1. Although Messi, the star player of Inter Miami CF, failed to score in the last game, he provided two brilliant assists, directly helping the team score both goals and proving his enduring attacking influence.2. Inter Miami CF achieved a good start after beating Atlas 2-1 in their first home game of the Leagues Cup. They have also remained unbeaten in their last thre...
[(Real Salt Lake) Strength]: 1. Diego Luna, the top scorer of Real Salt Lake, scored a goal in the last game, helping the team take the lead for a while and ending a two-month goal drought for the club. His form has improved.2. In the first Leagues Cup game, Real Salt Lake drew 2-2 with Club America in regular time and won 3-1 on penalties, earning two points.3. Real Salt Lake are strong in defens...
[(Portland Timbers) Strength]: 1. Portland Timbers goalkeeper James Pantemis performed well in the last game, saving all 6 shots on target to preserve a clean sheet.2. Portland Timbers won their first League Cup game 4-0 at home against Atletico San Luis, achieving a good start. Meanwhile, they won 2 official games in a row, with good form.3. Portland Timbers have performed decently in offense. Th...
[(PSV Eindhoven) Strength]: 1. PSV Eindhoven narrowly won the Eredivisie last season. They were only one point ahead of 2nd-placed AFC Ajax. However, the team still achieved an outstanding performance of winning the Eredivisie title for two consecutive seasons.2. PSV Eindhoven have won all of their previous 4 friendly games, demonstrating an extremely outstanding performance.3. PSV Eindhoven's las...
[(Pumas UNAM) Strength]: 1. Pumas UNAM beat Orlando City through a penalty shootout in the first round, taking 2 points. They are now 8th in the table and are motivated to win this game for an advancing spot.2. Adalberto Carrasquilla scored an equalizer in the last game, helping the team draw in regular time.3. Pumas UNAM trailed 1-0 after the opening in the first round but tied the game in the 80...
[(Djurgardens IF) Strength]: 1. August Priske scored 7 goals in the league this season, showing impressive performances.2. Djurgardens IF won 6-1 over BK Hacken in the last away game, performing excellently.3. Djurgardens IF won the last 2 home games smoothly, revealing decent home form.4. Djurgardens IF scored 13 goals in the last 5 games, averaging nearly 3 goals per game and showing hot offense...
[(Club America) Strength]: 1. Club America lost to Real Salt Lake through a penalty shootout in the last game, securing only one point. If the team want to advance, they have to go all out in this game, indicating strong motivation.2. Erick Sanchez scored an equalizer before the end of the last game, helping the team draw with Real Salt Lake in regular time.[(Club America) Neutral]: 1. Club Americ...
[(Fluminense (RJ)) Strength]: 1. Fluminense (RJ) are 13th in the table and are suffering a 4-game losing streak in the league. They need to take points to end their decadence, indicating strong motivation in this game.2. Everaldo Stum scored a brace in the last Copa do Brasil game, helping the team beat SC Internacional.3. Fluminense (RJ) secured a 2-1 win over SC Internacional in the last Copa do...
[(Orlando City) Strength]: 1. Martin Ojeda scored 3 goals and made an assist in the last 3 games, showing outstanding form.2. Orlando City boasted stable offense lately, scoring in 17 consecutive games in regular time.[(Orlando City) Neutral]: 1. Both sides have never met before, and this game would be their first encounter.[(Orlando City) Weakness]: 1. Orlando City lost 4-3 through a penalty shoo...
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