Brazil-Senegal is a friendly and will be played on Tuesday at 21:00: odds, predictions, statistics, insights.
The announcement is close. According to O Globo, the most important Brazilian newspaper, very close. The white smoke is expected by the end of June: only then will Brazil announce Carlo Ancelotti, who is preparing to become the new technical commissioner of the Seleçao, the one who will lead it towards the 2026 World Cup. The coach from Reggiolo will remain at Real Madrid until 2024, as per contractual agreement. Then he will throw himself headlong into his next adventure.
For the time being, interim head coach Ramon Menezes, who took over from Tite after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which ended in elimination in the quarter-finals through Croatia, will continue to lead the cariocas. Since then, Brazil has played only two matches, friendlies against Morocco and Guinea. Last March, the Seleçao lost 2-1 against the great revelation of the last World Cup, while on Saturday they swept the field 4-1 against the Africans, returning to savour the sweet taste of victory since December. As many as three Real Madrid players, Rodrygo, Militao and Vinicius, all three finished on the scoresheet along with Newcastle midfielder Joelinton.
Brazil will close the friendly cycle by facing another African selection, Senegal. Mané and his teammates are coming off their match against Benin, valid for the qualification for the next African Cup of Nations – they are the holders after having triumphed in the 2022 edition – which will be played in January 2024. Only a draw for the Lions of the Teranga, who were coming off six straight victories. A half-hearted misstep that was practically painless, as Aliou Cissé’s men have already snatched a pass for the final phase. The last time they faced Brazil was in 2019: the friendly ended 1-1 and Firmino and Diedhiou scored.
Mané
The Prediction
The feeling is that it will be a real game in Lisbon, with Senegal trying to put a qualitatively superior selection like Brazil to the test thanks to their organisation of play. It could turn out to be an entertaining match, with at least two goals in total.
Brazil-Senegal’s likely line-up
- BRASILE (4-3-3): Alisson; Vanderson, Militao, Marquinhos, Lucas; Casemiro, Joelinton, Paqueta; Rodrigo, Richarlison, Vinicius.
- SENEGAL (4-3-3): Dieng; Jakobs, Diallo, Koulibaly, Mendy; Kouyaté, N. Mendy, Ciss; Mané, Jackson, Sarr.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
