A wounded Brazil have to pull themselves up by their bootstraps today in Sao Paulo, Brazil when the four-times world champions face in-form Argentina in a crucial World Cup 2002 qualifier.
The current fortunes of the two bitter rivals and neighbours could hardly stand in starker contrast as Argentina have romped to the head of the qualifying group with five wins from five outings while the Brazilians have won two, drawn two and lost one - to Paraguay a week ago.
That defeat in Asuncion, only the Brazilians' second World Cup qualifying loss in history - the other coming in 1993 at La Paz when they lost 2-0 to Bolivia - sparked a storm among their fans. Not a day has passed since without loud calls for the head of coach Wanderley Luxemburgo.
Brazil are the only country to have qualified for all previous World Cups, but they now stand just fifth in the 10-country group from which only four will claim automatic berths for the finals in Japan and South Korea.
Luxemburgo claims "something is missing from this team" but opinion polls show almost half of the fans want the Brazilian Football Federation to sack him. One poll showed almost two thirds of supporters believed Luxemburgo was failing to get the best out of his players and none other than Pele entered the fray at the weekend to chastise the coach for not keeping a settled side.
Full back Antonio Carlos earlier blasted the "lack of character" in the squad - but his observation has only served to stir up a hornets' nest with striker Emerson hitting back and insisting that "everyone in the group has plenty of character. All this business is just a lot of nonsense."
Luxemburgo has already had several pep talks with the players - and also stripped Cafu of the captaincy for leaving the group last week. The wing back was suspended in any case for the Argentina match after his sending off against Paraguay.
Antonio Carlos could now take the captain's armband for a match which is likely to make or break Luxemburgo - although the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) president Ricardo Teixeira insists he will not be fired.
Luxemburgo would not be drawn on what his line-up would be. "I will reveal the line-up in the dressing-room before the Argentina match," he insisted after training.
A first team selection beat the "reserves" 4-1 on Sunday with Barcelona star Rivaldo playing in attack alongside rising star Ronaldinho Gaucho, with Alex bossing the midfield. The pattern worked well with Rivaldo scoring all four goals. At the back Luxemburgo is set to draft Evanilson in place of Cafu.
Borussia Dortmund's Evanilson will have his hands full, however, with Claudio Lopez and Hernan Crespo leading the line for the visitors, who have nonetheless lost star striker Gabriel Batistuta to a leg injury.
The skilful, if temperamental, Ariel Ortega is set to play just behind the front two.
Marcelo Bielsa's Argentines, who are sitting pretty with a five-point lead over Uruguay and seven points ahead of Brazil, have been preparing at their hideaway at Ezeiza, 30 kms outside Buenos Aires and defender Roberto Sensini has made the obligatory noises about not getting complacent.
"It will not be easy for us because they are down and will be looking to give everything in order to bounce back. The match has the potential to be a classic."
