Injury-hit Argentina face Brazil

AFP, MONTEVIDEO: Brazil superstar Neymar returns from suspension to face an injury-hit Argentina on Thursday as South America’s qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup resumes with a showdown between the bitter continental rivals. Neymar was forced to sit out Brazil’s opening two qualifiers last month — a 2-0 defeat to Chile followed by a 3-1 victory over Venezuela — following his four-match suspension at the Copa America in June.
But the talismanic striker is now back and available for Brazil as the five-time world champions head to Buenos Aires to face an Argentina side who took only one point from their first two games. Argentina suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at home to Ecuador in their opening game and then laboured to a goalless stalemate against Paraguay in Asuncion.
Those results have piled the pressure on beleaguered Argentina manager Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino, whose position had already come under scrutiny after his star-studded side’s failure to win the Copa America.
Martino’s preparations for Thursday’s showdown at the Estadio Monumental have been thrown into turmoil by an injury crisis which has deprived him of an array of attacking talent. Captain Lionel Messi had already been ruled out after suffering a long-term knee injury in September.
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero is also unavailable while Carlos Tevez is rated as doubtful after suffering a knee problem. Boca Juniors striker Tevez skipped training on Monday and is struggling to be fit according to press reports in Argentina.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Javier Pastore is also a concern after suffering a calf injury. Brazil veteran Kaka, restored to the squad by coach Dunga earlier this year, has urged the Selecao to draw on the memory of their 3-1 win in Argentina during a 2009 World Cup qualifier as they prepare for Thursday’s clash.
“Argentina haven’t won a game yet so they have an extra motivation to beat Brazil,” Kaka said.
“We had a good win over Venezuela and we need to continue that. But it’s never easy against Argentina and it’s always a great game.
“We know how difficult it is to go there and get a result, but we can win. We went there in 2009 and won — I can remember the party we had at the end of that match,” the former AC Milan star said.

Injury-hit Argentina face Brazil

AFP, MONTEVIDEO: Brazil superstar Neymar returns from suspension to face an injury-hit Argentina on Thursday as South Americas qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup resumes with a showdown between the bitter continental rivals. Neymar was forced to sit out Brazils opening two qualifiers last month a 2-0 defeat to Chile followed by a 3-1 victory over Venezuela following his four-match suspension at the Copa America in June. But the talismanic striker is now back and available for Brazil as the five-time world champions head to Buenos Aires to face an Argentina side who took only one point from their first two games. Argentina suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at home to Ecuador in their opening game and then laboured to a goalless stalemate against Paraguay in Asuncion. Those results have piled the pressure on beleaguered Argentina manager Gerardo Tata Martino, whose position had already come under scrutiny after his star-studded sides failure to win the Copa America. Martinos preparations for Thursdays showdown at the Estadio Monumental have been thrown into turmoil by an injury crisis which has deprived him of an array of attacking talent. Captain Lionel Messi had already been ruled out after suffering a long-term knee injury in September. Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero is also unavailable while Carlos Tevez is rated as doubtful after suffering a knee problem. Boca Juniors striker Tevez skipped training on Monday and is struggling to be fit according to press reports in Argentina. Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Javier Pastore is also a concern after suffering a calf injury. Brazil veteran Kaka, restored to the squad by coach Dunga earlier this year, has urged the Selecao to draw on the memory of their 3-1 win in Argentina during a 2009 World Cup qualifier as they prepare for Thursdays clash. Argentina havent won a game yet so they have an extra motivation to beat Brazil, Kaka said. We had a good win over Venezuela and we need to continue that. But its never easy against Argentina and its always a great game. We know how difficult it is to go there and get a result, but we can win. We went there in 2009 and won I can remember the party we had at the end of that match, the former AC Milan star said.