A fantastic and much-needed 3-0 victory in Ecuador provided Tite with the perfect start to life as the new Brazil manager, but the upcoming World Cup Qualifier clash against Colombia will provide a strong test of his managerial credentials. The former Corinthians head coach will have to find a way of ifying the threat that Jose Pekerman’s team pose in a clash which could prove pivotal to the Selecao’s chances of resurrecting their 2018 World Cup hopes that, at one stage under Dunga, looked under threat.
Revenge will certainly be in the air at the Arena da Amazona stadium in Manaus, with Brazil looking to avenge the 1-0 defeat that Colombia inflicted on them during the 2015 Copa America group stages thanks to a 37th minute strike from centre-back Jeison Murillo, who was later voted Best Young Player of the tournament. Brazil were ultimately second best as Colombia looked extremely dangerous, particularly from set-pieces, every time they ventured forwards, with the players’ frustration boiling over at the final whistle when both side became embroiled in unsavoury scenes which resulted in Neymar and Carlos Bacca receiving red cards. The team recovered well to beat Venezuela and top Group B, but Neymar’s suspension proved to be costly as the Selecao struggled to overcome a determined Paraguay side and eventually lost on penalties at the Quarter Finals stage. Tite will need his players to be much more disciplined in what is likely to be humid conditions in Manaus, and although Brazil will face a nation they have never lost to on home soil, they will have to be at their very best to get one over on Colombia once again.
The performance, particularly in the second half, against Ecuador has provided fresh hope that Brazil are heading in the right direction under new management, with history suggesting that Betway are right to back Tite to make it two wins from two. Last year’s Copa America defeat in Chile was only the third time that La Tricolor have prevailed in twenty-eight meetings between the two sides, with a 1-0 friendly win in 1985 and 2-0 Copa America victory in 1991 the only occasions in which Colombia have beaten Brazil. Seventeen wins and eight draws ultimately reflects that the Selecao have had Colombia’s number over the years, and although Pekerman managed to mastermind his country’s first win against Brazil in twenty-four years at the 2015 Copa America, he may find it difficult to repeat the feat.
Fans of both nations will believe that their team has the quality to record an important win at a time when the table is beginning to take shape, with the quality that both managers have at their disposal likely to result in an enthralling game of football. It should provide fans with lots to bet on through Betway, with Tite hoping that Neymar and Gabriel Jesus carry on from where they left off against Ecuador; the pair showed strong signs of developing an exciting partnership, with the latter proving he belongs on the international stage with two goals on his debut which followed on from impressive display at the Olympics. Colombia also have a number of potential match winners amongst their ranks, particularly James Rodriguez who, although is not considered a first team regular with Real Madrid, undoubtedly carries the hopes and expectations of an entire nation on his shoulders. The 25-year-old will be the man that Brazil will have to pay closest attention to, with Casemiro, Paulinho or Lucas Lima likely to be tasked with the responsibility of keeping James quiet.
Facing Colombia on home soil will certainly present Tite with a stern early test in charge of the Selecao, but with Brazil entrenched within a group of seven teams who are separated by just four points, avoiding defeat could be a real priority. Victory would lift Brazil up from their current position of fifth and above Colombia into the automatic qualification spots, but defeat and results elsewhere may see either Paraguay or Chile take the intercontinental play-off slot. Picking up a point could prove to be just as valuable as three, and although there is undoubtedly plenty to play for in the remaining eleven games, irrespective of what happens against Colombia, Tite will want to make a strong impression in his first home fixture in front of a partisan crowd. He is likely to stick with a 4-1-4-1 formation that has served him well over the years, and if his manages to find a way of keeping James under shackles and allow the Neymar-Gabriel Jesus partnership to become a prominent part of Brazil’s play going forward, the Selecao may fancy their chances of overcoming La Tricolor for the eighteenth time.