Brazil v France: Line-ups, stats and preview for international friendly

Carlo Ancelotti bemoaned the lack of time he has to spend with his Brazil players ahead of the World Cup warm-up against France tomorrow night.

Most of his squad only met up yesterday, three days before Brazil get the chance to test themselves against top-class opposition in Les Bleus before taking on Croatia next week.

The two games will act as crucial preparation for this summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico and Ancelotti is frustrated at having to shoehorn the matches in between a hectic club schedule.

He said: “Many of us [coaches] regret that there is no time to coach and we have to focus instead on the quality of training, meetings… It’s more quality work than time. The methodology within a training session cannot be missing, that is very important. You have to prepare the training well.”

Brazil limped through qualifying, finishing fifth out of 10 teams in the Conmebol table, 10 points behind arch-rivals and world champions Argentina.

If they are to challenge this summer they will need to beat the likes of France and Ancelotti says this is a good test.

He added: “Playing against France is an important match and more so against a team that is among the favourites to win the World Cup. We want to demonstrate a good attitude and quality.

“The most dangerous aspect of the France team is its speed. They have a lot of quality in all the lines and you have to have a balance. We are focused on the quality of our team and whether we can play the counterattack and can defend well.”

Although much of the pre-match press conference centred on the absence of Neymar, Brazil can still boast some world class talent, including Real Madrid’s in-form winger Vinicius Jr.

Vinicius has scored 10 goals and added an assist in his last 11 matches and knows there is pressure on him to perform over the next few months.

“I don’t pay much attention to what people say,” he said. “I know my job and I am very committed to the World Cup; it is where all the players want to be. As for my performance, I always try to be at my best, scoring goals, giving assists… I’m very happy and calm about the World Cup.”

Vinicius accepts that Brazil are not among the teams being talked about as potential World Cup winners, adding: “We are not the favourites based on the results we have had. But the history of the shirt, the quality of the players we have here… 

“We just needed to stabilise, and since Ancelotti arrived we have a better idea of how to play. It takes away a lot of pressure. We have to do everything possible.”

France appear in much better shape than their opponents with a squad stacked with talent.

And they will be eager to give outgoing coach Didier Deschamps a good send-off when he departs after the World Cup with Zinedine Zidane reportedly close to an agreement to succeed the former Juventus midfielder.

Team news for Brazil v France

Gabriel, Alisson and Alex Sandro all withdrew from the Brazil squad with Ancelotti also revealing today that PSG defender Marquinhos is not fit to play.

France’s William Saliba, Gabriel’s defensive partner at Arsenal, has also pulled out, along with Roma’s Manu Kone.

Predicted line-ups for Brazil v France

Brazil: Ederson; Wesley, Bremer, Pereira, D. Santos; Raphinha, Casemiro, A. Santos, Vinicius Jr; Cunha, Pedro

France: Maignan; Gusto, Konate, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Olise, Barcola, Mbappe; Dembele

Where to watch Brazil v France: TV and online streams

Brazil v France kicks off tomorrow at 8pm UK time. It can be watched on ITV4 and streamed on ITVX.

Stats for Brazil v France

• France have won five of their previous meetings, one more than Brazil with three draws
• Brazil won their last encounter, 3-1 in 2015

Prediction for Brazil v France