Neymar and James Subplot Distraction from Vital Brazil-Colombia Clash

Part two of Brazil's Copa America quest gets underway tomorrow night (Wednesday), with the Selecao set to meet what should be the sternest test of the group stages against Colombia.

Their World Cup quarter-final opponents were handed a shock 1-0 reverse in the opening round against Venezuela, meaning their passage to the knock-out stages, should they in fact make it that far, will not be the plain sailing many had originally envisaged.

What it should do is make Brazil's task all the more harder. Colombia now need at least a point to keep themselves in contention of reaching the latter stages of the continental competition. 

The World Cup contest between the two was a bad-tempered affair, and Brazil’s treatment of their opponent’s own creative threat, James Rodriguez, was hypocritically similar to much of the aggression dished out to Neymar, which has drawn so much ire from supporters, players and technical staff.

Going into this encounter, the advantage certainly lies with Brazil. Another victory should be enough to see them progress in the tournament, although Dunga is unlikely to be getting ahead of himself.

He has, of course, already defeated Colombia once in his second reign, 1-0 immediately after the World Cup. This time, his side will need to see a vast improvement on the sluggish performance that saw them edge out Peru at the death.

With Philippe Coutinho having missed his country’s Copa America opener, it is now being suggested he could return for the midweek game, as reported by ESPN Brasil (link in Portuguese). His inclusion would give Brazil a far more constant offensive threat and would offer Neymar greater assistance in the final third.

Last Sunday against Peru, the midfield trio of Fernandinho, Elias and Fred struggled to link consistently with Neymar and Diego Tardelli further forward, with only Willian striving to connect the dots between midfield and attack.

But it is nigh-on impossible to ignore the subplot of this one, the battle between the pair of No. 10s, Neymar and James. Since last year’s World Cup, the Brazilian’s numbers in national colours have been impressive in the extreme, more so than his Colombia counterpart.

Jorge Saenz/Associated Press

In 10 internationals, Neymar has managed nine goals and three assists. In seven outings for Colombia, James has scored a solitary goal and made two assists, as per Globo Esporte (link in Portuguese).

The Brazilian would also appear to have the edge on current form, having scored one and created the other in his side’s 2-1 win at the weekend, having also finished the season as the leading scorer in the UEFA Champions League. Meanwhile, James struggled as Colombia slumped to defeat against Venezuela.

But while it is tempting to focus on the two star draws of the match, this will be a hugely important test for Brazil in more ways than one. A 12th successive victory under Dunga, regardless of how it comes about, would be a strong statement that this side is making slow and steady progress.

The likes of Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred, capable of playing a variety of roles across the middle sector, has shown that versatility will be key to any success Brazil hope to have.

The youngster—who was booed in the friendly against Mexico when the crowd mistook him for his namesake, the Fluminense forward—is gradually proving he has the potential to be a key piece of the Selecao machine, whether that be in a holding role or as a more offensive, box-to-box presence.

Jorge Saenz/Associated Press

Should Dunga start with the same team that faced Peru, preferring not to risk Coutinho from the off, Fred is likely to be pushed further forward, with Fernandinho and Elias sitting deeper.

The Colombian defence remains their Achilles heel, and as Fred begins to find his feet and rhythm in international football, he could snatch the opportunity to imprint his own identity on proceedings.

Further back, the defensive line will need to be back to its sternest to deal with the wealth of options Colombia contain in attack. Just three goals have been conceded in 11 games by Dunga’s Brazil 2.0, but the mishaps by David Luiz and Jefferson cannot be repeated against Colombia. In attack, Jose Pekerman's team boasts not only James, but Radamel Falcao, Carlos Bacca, Jackson Martinez and Teofilo Gutierrez as well.

Being tight at the back, and playing rapid, counter-attacking football to test a creaking back line. Brazil’s blueprint for three more points may not have football purists purring, but it can drag the side closer to their short-term goal.

Colombia, on the other hand, need to desperately get themselves up and running in the competition. There will be more at stake than the individual battle between Neymar and James.