Brazil face Argentina in key World Cup qualifier
Brazil have a chance on Thursday to consolidate their position in the race to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. They return to the scene of the most humiliating defeat in their footballing history to face bitter rivals Argentina.
Issued on:
Two years ago at the Estadio Mineirao, Germany thrashed Brazil 7-1 in the World Cup semi-finals.
That massacre led to the departure of coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
His replacement, Dunga, left in June following poor performances at the Copa America.
Tite, the new man, has steered the side to four wins on the trot to propel them to the top of the 10-team South American qualification group with 21 points from 10 of their 18 games.
"I don't have the adjectives. I'm living the dream of any Brazilian coach," Tite said on the eve of the 107th match between the countries. "I try not to think too much about the history. I'm just focused on the strategy."
A resurgent Brazil will face an Argentina boosted by the return of their talismanic skipper Lionel Messi. The Barcelona star missed their last three games through injury.
In his absence, Argentina have fallen to sixth. With the first four qualifying automatically and the fifth-placed side entering a play-off against a team from Oceania, defeat would increase the pressure on Argentina who lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany.
In other matches on Thursday, second-placed Uruguay meet third-placed Ecuador in Montevideo while fourth-placed Colombia take on fifth-placed Chile in Barranquilla.
At the other end of the scale, bottom of the table Venezuela entertain Bolivia who are just two points above them in ninth.
Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning
Subscribe