4 Key Battles to Decide Brazil vs. Ecuador Copa America Clash

Brazil get their Copa America campaign underway on Saturday, 4 June, against World Cup qualifying leaders Ecuador. The game will be held at the Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California, which holds happy memories for the Selecao; it was where they lifted their fourth World Cup, in 1994, with a penalty-shootout victory against Italy.

Saturday's match is likely to be a little more low-key, but there will be some vital areas across the pitch where this South American contest may be won or lost.

Frickson Erazo vs. Jonas

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Assuming Dunga starts with the same team that took to the field against Panama on Sunday, Jonas will be leading the line for the Selecao. The man most likely tasked with keeping him at bay for longer than the Panamanians managed will most likely be Atletico Mineiro’s Frickson Erazo.

The central defender has been part of Brazilian club football’s revolving-door policy over the last two years, playing first for Rio giants Flamengo before joining Gremio and Belo Horizonte outfit Atletico. Comfortable on the ball and an imposing force at the back, as well as being blessed with pace and a strong aerial presence without resorting to outbursts of violence, he will nevertheless have his work cut out against the in-form Jonas.

Were Brazil to start with the younger Gabriel, as has been mooted in several publications over recent weeks, the Santos teenager would be unlikely to see much of the ball if played in at height.

Jonas, on the other hand, bagged 32 goals for Portuguese champions Benfica in 2015-16 and opened the scoring against Panama on Sunday before many fans had taken their seat in the stadium. Coming in to replace Ricardo Oliveira, the striker could use this Copa America to cement his place in the Brazil side ahead of the Olympics and World Cup qualifiers later this year. He has a lot at stake.

On the evidence of watching Erazo in the Campeonato Brasileiro, he is not prone to surges upfield and is unlikely to be drawn out of position if given a man-marking mission on Brazil’s target man. The struggle between the pair promises to be a battle of strength between two of the game’s bulkier performers, to put it lightly.

Jonas, as well as on the lookout for goals, will seek to hold the ball up and bring others, particularly Willian and Philippe Coutinho, into the attack. His ensuing battle of force and wits with his Ecuadorian guard will go a long way to deciding how successful Brazil are in the final third.

Walter Ayovi vs. Willian

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Without question, Willian has been one of the most consistent performers for both Brazil and Chelsea over the past 12 months. His Energizer Bunny-like work rate, dead-ball ability and creative vision have become vital assets to Dunga, as well as making him one of the best players in last season’s Premier League despite Chelsea’s 10th-place finish.

Keeping him quiet will be pivotal if Ecuador are to take anything from Saturday’s opener. The man likely to be handed that unenviable mission is veteran Walter Ayovi.

The 36-year-old is a versatile option for coach Gustavo Quinteros, with the ability to play in central defence, holding midfield and full-back. And it is at left-back, the position he usually takes up for Ecuador, where he will have his work cut out on Saturday.

The Brazil wide man has become one of his country’s leaders inside the lines, a role that will take on further prominence in this tournament with the absence of Neymar and the absence of former captain Thiago Silva.

Willian has been called up to every Brazil squad during Dunga’s second spell in charge and is likely to have the freedom of the right flank to try to terrorise his veteran opponent. Positional sense and an ability not to panic will be vital tools for Ayovi in his battle to keep the Chelsea man in check, so his vast experience of over 100 caps should come in handy.

The Brazilian is arguably his country’s best creative outlet at this edition of the Copa America. If he is given licence, or allowed space down his favoured right flank, then Ecuador, in excellent form in World Cup qualifying, will have an uphill struggle on their hands from the off.

Antonio Valencia vs. Filipe Luis

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This game looks like it could be decided on the flanks and, consequently, the ability of full-backs to contain wingers.

With Filipe Luis arriving late for national duty following Saturday's UEFA Champions League final, it was left to understudy Douglas Santos to fill the left-back slot against Panama for the Selecao. However, expect Luis to claim back his place when Brazil kick off their Copa America campaign.

Despite missing the majority of the season for Manchester United through injury, Valencia is in Ecuador’s squad and should take up residence on the right wing. Built like the proverbial brick house, his sheer body strength and pace, should he be fully fit, will give Luis a stern test.

Considered a more conservative option than the marauding Marcelo, the Atletico Madrid full-back will need all his defensive nous if he is to stop the Ecuadorian wide man turning provider for his country's forwards.

Over the past season, according to WhoScored.com, Luis averaged close to four tackles per game and almost three interceptions. His tenacity and positional discipline will be vital in not allowing Valencia the time and space he craves.

The key will be Valencia’s ability to last the pace. Looking at WhoScored.com, the 30-year-old wide man only managed a shade over 1,000 minutes in the past season. Compared to Luis’ full slog (close to 4,000 minutes) for Atletico in their challenge for the Primera Division title and gut-wrenching penalty shootout defeat to city rivals Real in the Champions League final, this promises to be a battle of stamina as much as wits.

How much fatigue has accumulated in Luis’ limbs over the past nine months? Will Valencia suffer from ring rust and need to time to ease back into high-stakes competitive football?

Enner Valencia vs. Miranda

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Ecuador's most dangerous goal threat against the man Dunga has decided to build his defence around. Enner Valencia’s comfort on the ball and eagerness to shoot from just about anywhere make him far more than a penalty-area poacher.

Experienced Brazilian stopper Miranda will have a tough job marshalling the West Ham United forward, whose penchant for dropping deep to collect the ball means marking him may be more than a one-man job.

However, the 31-year-old will be organising the Brazil guard, and should Valencia indeed start searching for the ball in other areas, the assistance of Luiz Gustavo or Casemiro—as now appears more likely, per Agencia Gazeta Press (h/t ESPN Brazil)—in holding midfield will be a welcome reprieve.

Valencia’s pace has the potential to cause Miranda serious problems. Not blessed with great speed but not boasting the turning circle of a Sherman tank, the Brazilian’s experience and canny ability to read the game will need to be maximised to help him snuff out the attacker's threat.

An attempt to catch Valencia offside would be a high-risk option, his velocity able to make a mockery of any slight miscalculation. The battle between the pair is shaping up to be akin to plotted moves on a chess board, each sizing up not only the position of the adversary but their potential next move, the one after and then, for good measure, the one after that.

Whereas the duel between Jonas and Erazo at the opposite end may come to resemble a battle of strength, the tactical astuteness of Miranda and Valencia could go a long way to deciding the winner of this particular contest.

He who blinks first loses. If it turns out to be Miranda, Valencia’s raw pace and precise finishing ability could prove fatal.