Argentina vs. Brazil: Loss of Thiago Silva Will Doom Brazil

When you are facing Lionel Messi and Co., it's a huge blow to lose a defensive rock like Thiago Silva.

Brazil will be without Silva in its "friendly" with longtime rival Argentina on Saturday, and that puts overwhelming pressure on the collective defense.

Messi himself had 50 goals this season for Barcelona in La Liga and continues to be widely regarded as the best soccer player in the world.

Silva was instrumental in AC Milan, finishing second in Serie A this season. His absence leaves a gaping hole in Brazil's defense, a hole Sao Paulo's Bruno Uvini must try to fill alongside Juan.

Uvini, of course, is just 21 years old. Silva's experience was just as critical as his skills leading up to the contest, and to say Uvini has a tough chore on his hands would be an understatement.

And don't think Uvini isn't aware of the threat Argentina poses.

Uvini said, via the Buenos Aires Herald:

"

It's not necessary to define Messi with my words. He is currently the best player in the world.

But Argentina are not only Messi. They also have [Sergio] Aguero, [Ángel] Di María, [Gonzalo] Higuaín. We cannot think only of Messi, we have to respect Argentina as a whole.

"

Uvini also said in the same article that "there can be no fear." But, fearful or not, Brazil simply isn't equipped to stop an Argentina club in rhythm. It would have been hard enough to stop Argentina's fluid attack with Silva—not having him at all is crippling.

Yes, soccer is a team sport, and very few players single-handedly change a game. But Silva's absence changes the game for Brazil much like Messi changes a game when he's on the field.

Brazil should give a valiant effort against Argentina, but the loss of Silva is simply too much to overcome.

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