Tonight Brazil face the tough task of beating Uruguay in Montevideo. Something they have failed to do since Zico’s debut in 1976.
In 24 games Brazil has suffered 12 defeats, drawn nine, and won on just three occasions. It underlines the point that Uruguay may be down but it is never out.
Uruguay coach Jorge Fossati warned about Brazil’s strikers saying that he “would not be lured into a false sense of security” by Ronaldo’s recent drop in form.
‘None of us are daft enough to think that he’s going through a bad patch and therefore we don’t have to be careful with him,’ Fossati was reported as saying by Uruguayan media. ‘If he plays, then he should wear lots of shin pads because it’s going to be tough for him.’
Uruguay captain Paolo Montero, Juventus’s lynchpin for more than a decade, is regarded as one of the world’s toughest defenders who holds infamous record for red cards in the Serie A.
His partner in defence, Diego Lugano, also has a reputation for tough-tackling.
Uruguay are currently fifth in the 10-nation South American qualifying group with 15 points from 12 games, while Brazil are second with 23 points.
The possible inclusion of 21-year-old striker Robinho was again the pre-match talking point yesterday.
Robinho has so far started only one full international — the 7-1 friendly win over Hong Kong last month – and Brazilians are longing to see more of his trickery.
Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira nearly picked him for Sunday’s 1-0 home win over with Peru but opted for Juninho Pernambucano instead.
Robinho was finally brought on at halftime, but neither choice proved entirely satisfactory.
Uruguay, who deserved to win Saturday’s 1-1 draw in Chile, will welcome back striker Javier Chevanton, their top-scorer in the qualifiers with five goals.
Said Fossati: ‘This is a chance to write another page of glory in the meetings between Uruguay and Brazil.’
URUGUAY: Sebastian Viera, Diego Lopez, Diego Lugano, Paolo Montero, Dario Rodriguez, Carlos Diogo, Pablo Garcia, Mario Regueiro, Ruben Olivera, Diego Forlan, Javier Chevanton.
BRAZIL: Dida, Cafu, Luisao, Lucio, Roberto Carlos, Juninho Pernambucano, Emerson, Ronaldinho, Ze Roberto, Kaka, Ronaldo.
