Copa America | Brazil vs Peru ~ Match Preview
Confident, defending Copa America champion Brazil is still considered the team to beat — not bad for a tournament where some of the players don't even want to take part.
Few expect that the favorite tag will change as Brazil prepare for Monday's semi-final against Peru, a side that Seleo crushed 4-0 two weeks ago in the group stage.
The winner at the Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro will play Saturday's final at the historic Maracana Stadium against Argentina or Colombia, which is played on Tuesday.
"Obviously we are the favorites to play at home, but we need to know how to deal with it," Brazil midfielder Fred said at a news conference on Sunday. “The players want to have the game of their life against Brazil.
The last one (beating Chile 1-0 in the quarter-finals) was very difficult, but the next one will be even more difficult. Peru will be motivated, trying to win, it will be the game of their lives."
Brazil and Peru played in the 2019 Copa America final, with hosts Brazil winning 3-1 in front of nearly 70,000 fans. Monday's matches will be played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two key strikers will not play in the semifinals. Brazil's Gabriel Jesus and Peru's André Carrillo (against Paraguay) were sent off in the quarter-finals. Everton of Brazil, one of the top scorers in the 2019 edition of the Copa America, and veteran Christian Cueva will take their place.
Brazil advanced to the semifinals after struggling to win by 10 men for almost all of the second half against Chile.
Peru recovered from a 4-0 loss against the hosts by beating Colombia and Venezuela and securing a draw with Ecuador. It reached the semifinals on penalties after a 3-3 draw with Paraguay.
"We will have the opportunity to face Brazil and fix all the things that went wrong in the first game," said Peru coach Ricardo Gareca. “Brazil continues to be a very strong team, this Brazil is very good. Our team has also improved.”
Alex Sandro, Neymar, Verton Ribeiro and Richarlison scored for Brazil against Peru.
Peru will be looking for striker Gianluca Lapadula, replacing all-time leading scorer Paolo Guerrero who missed the tournament with a knee injury.
Brazil will once again be counting on Neymar, its best player in the tournament so far, who finished the match against Chile exhausted, along with many of his team-mates.
✅ Possible Lineup
🔺 Brazil possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Danilo, Marquinhos, T Silva, Lodi; Casemiro, Fred; Paqueta, Firmino, Richarlison; Neymar
🔺 Peru possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Corzo, Ramos, Santamaria, Trauco; Ormeno, Pena, Tapia, Yotun, Cueva; Lapadula