Brazil vs Spain 30-06-2013 FIFA Confederations Cup 2013

       Brazil made it four wins from four after casting aside Uruguay in the semi-finals. Group wins over Italy, Japan and Mexico where all richly deserved and this Brazil side are capable of big things with a little tinkering. Left attacker Hulk is a player of undoubted quality but he does not fit into this Brazilian side. As soon as diminutive attacker Bernard came on the whole shape of the team looked better and more balanced. Central defence is no place for a David Luiz and Chelsea fans and Brazil fans alike know this. Defensively lacking and always capable of erring he is not one to rely on. Apart from that Brazil look quality all over, wingbacks Alves and Marcelo are among the best in the world. Oscar looks quality in his attacking midfield role. Fred is one of those players who do very little but score in every game, a decent quality in a forward. Paulinho is an underrated player who fits in well to the team. In Thiago Silva Brazil possess one of the best central defenders in the game. Options on the bench are varied and there is quality back up in all areas.

       Spain comes from playing previous games against Tahiti (FIFA ranking 138) on 6/20 in which they won 10-0, Nigeria (FIFA ranking 31) on 6/23 where they won with a final score of 3-0, and last game played against Italy (FIFA ranking 8) on 6/27 in which Spain tied with a final score of 0-0, but won the game in penalties by a score of 7-6.

Match: Brazil vs Spain
Football: Confederations Cup 2013, Brazil Final
Date: 30 June, 2013 - 18:00 CET
Stadium: Estadio Jornalista Mário Filho (Maracanã) - Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro.

Possible line-ups:

Spain (4-3-3): Casillas; Arbeloa, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta; Fabregas, Soldado, Pedro.

Brazil (4-2-3-1): J.Cesar; D.Alves, T.Silva. D.Luiz, Marcelo; L.Gustavo, Paulinho; Hulk, Oscar, Neymar; Fred

 

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Uruguay vs Italy 30-06-2013 FIFA Confederations Cup 2013

On Sunday, 30 June - 16:00 GMT, Uruguay meets Italy for the bronce medal game of the Confederations Cup 2013.

        Uruguay can be satisfied with their performances at the confed cup so far. The Celeste was able to beat Nigeria and Tahiti and only lost to the two finalists. They were able to bother Brazil and almost made it to the final. Just a few minutes before the end of the regular 90 minutes Paulinho headed the 2:1 for Brazil and ended Uruguays dreams to reach the final. Fred and Cavani scored earlier in the game and Julio Cesar was able to safe a penalty from Diego Forlan. The performance of Uruguay however, was pretty good. They defended well and with Cavani, Forlan and Suarez they can always score on offense. An advantage for    Uruguay could be that they had one more day to recover from their last game. 

       Italy played a very organised and tactital match for the entire 120 minutes against World and European champions Spain. Cesar Prandelli got his formation and play spot on and Spain looked a pale imitation of the one we know. Italy did not surrender their attacking capabilities either and they did have a few decent chances. The defence which has been poor in this tournament suddenly looked unbeatable and the midfield kept the ball as much as can be expected against this Spain side. Indeed with possession statistics almost equal Italy showed their class and not many sides have restricted Spain to such low ball possession. 

Uruguay vs Italy:
Football: Confederations Cup 2013, Brazil
Date: 30 June, 2013 - 18:00 CET
Stadium: Arena Fonte Nova

Possible line-ups:

-Uruguay: Muslera; Pereira • Godín • Lugano • Cáceres; Rodríguez • Arévalo • Silva; Suárez • Cavani • Forlán.

-Italy: Buffon; Barzagli • Bonucci • Chiellini; Maggio • Pirlo • Rossi • Giaccherini; Candreva • Marchisio; Shaarawy.

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