Christian Schäfer - Der Professor

1

Christian Schäfer's Brazil side completed their preparations for the Copa América with a fixture against USA. This was seen as the last chance for fringe players to impress, and there was no better place to do so than in front of an enthusiastic support in São Paulo.

vs USA (12/06/2023)

Goalkeeper Felipe made his debut for Brazil, replacing the injured Zulu, but it was USA goalkeeper Roberto Castro who caught the eye, making a number of stunning stops throughout an action-packed game which the home side certainly dominated. A back three of Lucas Iago, Ronaldo and Marquinhos looked to cement their places in the side, while a front three of Neymar, Philippe Coutinho and Oscar looked to supply an attacking spark.

American goalkeeper Roberto Castro was called in to action after just fifty seconds, and he proved to be up to the task at hand. USA's free-kick was easily dealt with by Marquinhos and Brazil countered at pace. Neymar and Coutinho combined before the latter picked out right wing-back Fabinho with a precise chipped pass, but the wide player's drive was parried away by Castro.

Brazil came even closer to scoring ten minutes later, only to be denied by the frame of the goal. Bruno Paulista picked out left wing-back Wendell in space but his powerful effort cannoned off the crossbar and back in to play.

Wendell was denied once again, this time by Roberto Castro. Neymar showed Cameron Carter-Vickers a clean set of heels before threading Wendell through. However, he was unable to beat the onrushing goalkeeper.

Despite Brazil controlling the first half, it was the US who opened the scoring, with just two minutes remaining in the first half. Jordan Siebatcheu's cross was turned in by the unmarked Juan Agudelo to give the away team a surprise lead.

Brazil responded two minutes later, however, and it was Wendell who finally found the back of the net. From a throw-in on the right, the ball found its way to Casemiro who lofted a pass towards Wendell on the left. The wing-back controlled the ball on his chest and rounded Brendan Ballard before powering a shot underneath Roberto Castro and in to secure Wendell's first goal for his country.

Brazil took the lead through Neymar five minutes in to the second half. Bruno Paulista's long-range effort was parried by Roberto Castro and Neymar's initial rebound was then turned to the side by the goalkeeper, but Brazil's captain was not to be denied as he swept the ball in to the back of the net to give his side the lead in the game.

Substitute Felipe Anderson then had the opportunity to double Brazil's lead but his low effort was deflected to the side by the in-form Roberto Castro. Felipe Anderson then had the opportunity to redeem his missed chance in the ninetieth minute when Neymar's through ball presented him with a one-on-one opportunity but Felipe Anderson could do nothing more but hit the post.

Casemiro (Brazil) 9.0

Brazil Milestones:

---

• Neymar made his 140th appearance for Brazil.
• Neymar scored his 95th goal for Brazil in the 50th minute.
• Malcom made his 55th appearance for Brazil when he came on as a 66th minute substitute.
• Wendell made his 10th appearance for Brazil.
• Wendell scored his 1st goal for Brazil.
• Felipe made his debut for Brazil, conceding once in a full 90 minute performance.

Copa América Fixtures

We kick off the tournament against Peru at La Casa Blanca. Our second fixture will be against Honduras B at the same venue, before rounding off the group stage against our main contenders for top spot, Colombia, at the Cuenca Community Stadium. Hopefully we can maintain our 100% win record throughout the group stage.

1

With just two days remaining until Brazil open their Copa América 2023 campaign against Peru at La Casa Blanca, Seleção attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho talked to Brazilian reporter Miguel Rigdinho. They discussed a number of topics ranging from the upcoming competition, to Coutinho's club form at Liverpool, to the methods of current Brazil manager Christian Schäfer.

Philippe, how do you feel about playing in the upcoming Copa América?

Philippe Coutinho: "I love playing for Brazil and to be called up to a major competition is a huge honour for me. We have not performed so well in recent years but to be able to pull on the yellow strip of Brazil and to battle for our country is a great privilege which I hold close to my heart. You never know when your international career may end, especially with football as it is these days, and so I cherish each and every moment I am on the pitch."

How do you fancy Brazil's chances this year?

Philippe Coutinho: "We have not been good enough in the last few competitions. We have now gone sixteen years without a major trophy, which is just not good enough for a nation of our reputation. We have many players of terrific quality and we should be battling for the top spot. If we can play as well as we know we can, then we can prove to be unstoppable. First and foremost, however, we need to remain focused. Complacency will let us down if we are not careful, you need only look at how we performed in the World Cup last year for evidence of this.

You enjoyed your most prolific league campaign in a Liverpool shirt this past season, scoring fifteen goals, but you still missed out on a top four spot. Is it time for you to move on in order to be consistently playing Champions League football?

Philippe Coutinho: "Not once have I ever considered leaving Liverpool. While we have not played Champions League football all too much, only in two seasons while I have been at the club, I love playing for Liverpool. I love walking on to the pitch at Anfield, clad in the famous red, with the booming echo of You'll Never Walk Alone ringing in my ears. Every moment on the famous turf in Merseyside is a fairy-tale for me, and I'm not ready to let that go just yet. We haven't enjoyed the most successful of seasons recently, but we have generated some terrific moments which will live long in the memories of the fans, and in my own memories."

Christian Schäfer has brought in some radical ideas since becoming the manager last summer. Have you bought in to his philosophies, or are you in any way sceptical?

Philippe Coutinho: "I have nothing but praise for the manager. It was difficult for him at first to arrive in Brazil without the ability to speak Portuguese but this is a language which he has picked up quickly, and there are a number of players who are situated at clubs in Europe who he can communicate with through German, Spanish, Italian or English. Only a handful of players found it difficult to communicate with him at first, but now everybody understands each other and there is a great harmony.

What I love about having Christian as manager is how he inspires the players to perform better in each aspect, from training to playing. He has given us so much freedom to play to the best of our abilities and to show what we are capable of, while still having tactical solidity. Our performances in the games leading up to the Copa América have proven his ability to find weaknesses in opposition sides, and formulating a plan to exploit these weaknesses. He is a genius and a gentleman, and I have an endless amount of time for him."

Philippe, you are now thirty-one years old. Neymar and Oscar are both of the same age. Do you see this tournament as the last chance for you three to be a part of a winning nation?

Philippe Coutinho: "This tournament is very important for us, especially for the more experienced players. We have come a long way since our Brazil careers have began, and we have not won anything worth celebrating just yet. We will be thirty-four by the time the next World Cup comes around, and there is every possibility that we won't be around for that. I can only speak for myself when I say that I wish to continue playing for Brazil for as long as possible, but there comes a time when you must re-evaluate your career and prioritise your playing time. For myself to be a part of a winning Brazil side, it is now or never."

Brazil opened their Copa América campaign with a hard-fought victory over two-time winners Peru in front of a capacity crowd at La Casa Blanca. In a game which Brazil created more chances, they could only find the back of the net twice, with both goals the result of corner routines. Peru fought their way back in to the game, halving the deficit in the first half, but could not find an equaliser.

vs Peru (18/06/2023

Christian Schäfer opted, once again, for three central defenders in a 3-4-2-1. Thiago Maia (DM) and Fernandes (DC) missed out through injury, while Philippe Coutinho (AMC) could not break in to a front three of Cebolinha, Neymar (C) and Oscar.

It took no longer than five minutes for Brazil to open the scoring, and it was central defender Lucas Iago who made his mark on proceedings. Neymar's short corner to Oscar was not closed down by any Peruvian defenders, and the latter picked out Lucas Iago at the front post, who's well-executed header was unmatched by goalkeeper Gustavo Sánchez.

The Seleção doubled their lead twenty minutes later, and Lucas Iago was at the heart of it once more. Another Neymar-Oscar short corner was not picked up by Peruvian defenders, and the latter's cross once again picked up by Lucas Iago at the front post. The central defender controlled the ball with his back to goal but before he could turn, Renato Tapia had brought him down illegally, handing Brazil a penalty. Up stepped Neymar, who made no mistake in sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and putting his side in a position of control.

Peru did half the deficit just minutes later, much against the run of play. Overlapping full-back Luis Advíncula had space on the right, and his low cross was turned in by the unmarked Yordy Reyna, bringing life back in to Peru's chances.

Yordy Reyna nearly grabbed his and Peru's second of the game when he broke free of the Brazil defence early in the second half, but his low effort was blocked by the legs of Brazil goalkeeper Cajú.

Substitute Philippe Coutinho made an impact when he came on, and nearly assisted in Brazil's third. Liverpool's magician wiggled his way through a number of challenges inside the area before playing a no-look pass to Bruno Paulista, who's first-time shot cannoned off the crossbar.

Neymar thought he had his second of the game when he got on the end of some excellent Brazilian passing, only to find his low bending effort tipped out for a corner by goalkeeper Gustavo Sánchez.

Neymar's chance proved to be the final one of the game, as Brazil ran out 2-1 victors. Not the vintage scoreline that Christian Schäfer may have wanted, but three points on the board none-the-less.

Oscar (Brazil) 9.0

Christian Schäfer's Post-Match Interview:

---

"I am happy to have started this campaign with a victory. The scoreline did not reflect the performance, as we should have scored more goals. I cannot complain with the three points, however, and we will hope to have another three points after the Honduras game."

Copa América Group B

Victory sees us rank second, behind Colombia on goal difference following their 3-1 victory over Honduras B. We will be looking to claim victory over Honduras in our next fixture, giving us another three points and almost certainly guaranteeing our place in the quarter finals.

1

1

1

1

Brazil dominated their second group fixture, against Honduras, but it took two goals in the final twenty-five minutes to secure the victory as the Seleção failed to take a number of chances throughout the game.

vs Honduras (24/06/2023)

Christian Schäfer made two changes to the side that defeated Peru, with Fabinho and Casemiro coming in to replace Bruno Paulista and Mosca in midfield. Otherwise, it was an unchanged line-up as Der Professor looked to mark his tenth game in charge of Brazil since taking over with a win.

The first chance of the match presented itself to Marquinhos. Brazil's infamous short-corner routine involving Neymar and Oscar caught out the Honduras defence, and the latter picked out Marquinhos at the near post but his half-volley was blocked by the out-rushing defender Ricardo López.

Brazil captain Neymar very nearly opened the scoring on the quarter-hour mark with an outstanding effort. Hulk had begun the game like a man possessed, and his cross was flicked on by Oscar to Neymar, who's acrobatic volley clattered off the crossbar. The Barcelona star had his hands on his head, knowing he had just come within inches of scoring the opener.

Another chance went begging for Neymar, Oscar and Brazil, this time in even more outstanding circumstances. Hulk had cut in from the right-hand side to tee up Neymar, who's first-time shot from the edge of the area cracked off the crossbar, once again. The ball fell kindly to Oscar who scored an easy finish, only to see that the assistant referee had raised his flag. Oscar had drifted offside as Neymar unleashed his woodwork-bound effort. So close, yet so far, for the Seleção.

Honduras were reduced to ten men in the second half as Julio Castillo was penilised for a two-footed challenge on Neymar. The referee did not hesitate to produce the red card, punishing the Honduran for his error. This left the game even more open for Brazil, with the game still somehow without a goal.

The woodwork was struck a third time moments later, with Neymar at the heart of the move once more. The Brazilian skipper found Cebolinha twenty yards out and the in-form striker's rasping effort beat Alberth Ramos in the Honduras goals, only to meet the crossbar and bounce clear.

Brazil did eventually break the deadlock, with just under twenty-five minutes remaining, and it was Cebolinha who found the back of the net. Hulk, who had been playing the game of his career, beat his marker on the right wing before crossing low in to the six yard box. Cebolinha broke free of the defenders to smash a volley past Alberth Ramos to claim his first competitive goal for Brazil.

Brazil very nearly doubled their lead minutes later as the ball found its way to Jorge inside the box but the left wing-back's effort was excellently denied by Alberth Ramos, who had rushed from one side of the goal to the other in a desperate attempt to keep his side in the game.

It was set-piece magic which saw Brazil claim their second of the game, with both Neymar and Cebolinha involved. Honduras had finally copped on to Brazil's short-corner strategy, forcing Neymar in to a deep cross from the set-piece. Cebolinha powered a header at goal and Ronaldo was on hand to re-direct the ball past the goalkeeper and in to the top corner, securing all three points for Brazil.

Hulk (Brazil) 9.0

Christian Schäfer's Post-Match Interview:

---

"Everybody could see just how much we dominated the game. We were a little unfortunate that the woodwork produced three fine saves to deny us even more goals but we came out with all three points, and a clean sheet to boast on top of that. We need to improve on taking our chances because we will not always get as many as we have today. But it is still early days and we can be proud of how far we have come so far."

Copa América Group B

Two wins from two sees Brazil climb to the top of the table. Colombia's draw with Peru means Brazil have already qualified for the quarter finals with one game to spare. There may be some changes to the starting line-up ahead of the final group match, in order to keep players fresh for the next round.

1

1

Brazil secured the top spot in Group B following a much-deserved victory over Colombia. A Wesley Santos goal took the spoils as Christian Schäfer's men continued their run of victories.

vs Colombia (28/06/2023)

*EDIT* Small typo here, the Colombia manager is Mario Yepes, former Paris Saint-Germain & AC Milan defender. Not our hero Christian Schäfer!

Christian Schäfer made five changes to the team that defeated Honduras. Carlinhos replaced Ronaldo in defence, Mosca came in for Casemiro in midfield, while Wesley Santos, Malcom and Felipe Anderson replaced the attacking three of Cebolinha, Neymar and Oscar. While Schäfer looked to rest his three best attackers, the line-up still offered a great attacking threat.

As in the previous fixture, Hulk running rampant on the right wing and his cross was picked up by Wesley Santos but the Bayer Leverkusen striker's shot was deflected wide off of defender Alex Mejía.

Brazil were the team to break the deadlock, but it was not in the most stylish of circumstances. Mosca had threaded a through ball in to the path of Malcom, but Alex Mejía had got a foot on it. Unfortunately for the Colombian, the ball rolled in to the path of the onrushing Wesley Santos, who had an open goal at his mercy to punish Los Cafeteros.

Wesley Santos was presented with an opportunity to double his tally in the second half when Malcom picked him out in the box with an exquisite back-heel, but the former skied his effort.

There was not much else to get excited about in a match where Brazil dominated the ball and held out for the win. The victory gave Brazil a total tally of nine points from the group stage, a figure which would certainly encourage the squad and manager.

Hulk (Brazil) 8.8

Christian Schäfer's Post-Match Interview:

---

"We controlled the ball well today and gave Colombia no chances to score. We made a number of changes to the starting line-up to conserve the energy of some of our important players, but the players who came in performed very well. I am happy that we have won every group game, and finishing top of the group will give the players plenty of confidence."

Copa América Group B

Three victories in three matches means Brazil topped the group quite comfortably. Peru sneaked in to second place with a win over Hondurs, while Colombia finished third. The top two qualified automatically, while Colombia also qualified as one of the two "best third-placed" teams. The full set of group tables and the quarter final draw will come in the next update. Who will Brazil get in the draw?

1

1