2010 FIFA World Cup: Brazil's Starting 11 Is No Mystery

Dunga is of little mystery.

The Brazilian boss doesn't follow the trend among coaches that like to "hide" their starting lineups until hours, sometimes minutes, before the matches.

Brazil was the second team to arrive in South Africa (Australia was first), and yesterday's training session revealed how Brazil might line up for their first match against North Korea June 15th.

Unless an injury occurs, Brazil might start their chase for a sixth star on their crest with Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lúcio, Juan, and Michel Bastos; Gilberto Silva, Felipe Melo, Elano, Kaká, Robinho, and Luís Fabiano.  

I particularly would like to see some changes to this lineup. I would have a more offensive team, with Daniel Alves on the right side of midfield. I'd leave either Gilberto Silva or Felipe Melo out. Dani Alves could work well with Maicon on the right side and move Kaká a little bit to the left. Elano and Gilberto Silva (or Felipe Melo) would close down the middle.

Obviously this is not ideal.

I would have taken at least two other creative midfielders to the World Cup (Ronaldinho and Paulo Henrique Ganso), but it would certainly be a more aggressive formation.

I'm curious to see how Brazil will perform in case Kaká is very well marked, has a bad day, or—even worse—gets injured before the first match.

Who would take his role as the creative mind in midfield? Elano? Seriously?

Brazilian League Quickies:

Corinthians have their revenge against Santos. It took the Corinthians less than two minutes to score the opening goal. Santos was only able to responded at the 52th and made things even with Andre, but Corinthians scored three more goals in the second half. Santos' goal in the 87th minute didn't even pose a threat. Ronaldo didn't play in this match as he is recovering from an injury. HIGHLIGHTS HERE.

São Paulo will have to change their whole defense . After Cicinho, Richarlyson, and Miranda, it's now central defender Alex Silva who has been forced to the sideline. Silva suffered a deep four-inch cut on his brow after a head-to-head collision with Ricardo Xavier from Guarani. The match ended goalless and now São Paulo's boss will have to rearrange his defense for Goiás this coming Wednesday.

Botafogo and Vasco finish 1-1. Both teams left the field complaining about referee Carlos Eugenio Simon (who will represent Brazil in the 2010 FIFA World Cup). The match was very exciting with both teams fighting hard for possession at midfield and creating goal-scoring opportunities. The highlight of the match was Ernani's goal at the 26th minute. HIGHLIGHTS HERE .

Brazilian League Sixth Round Results:

Flamengo 1 -1 Gremio

Avaí 0 - 0 Vitória

Palmeiras 0 - Gremio Prudente

Corinthians 4 -2 Santos

Guarani 0 - 0 São Paulo

Botafogo 1 -1 Vasco

Atlético-MG 1 - 3 Fluminense

Ceará 1 - 0 Cruzeiro

Internacional 4 - 1 Atlético-PR

Atlético-GO 1 - 3 Goiás

Cheers,

Gil