Brazil coach Mano Menezes will have a lot on the line in Wednesday's friendly against Argentina, when only a victory will allow him to fend off increasing criticism over his performance as head of the national team Brazil and Argentina will play in the northern city of Belem to decide the Superclassic of the Americas, a home-and-away friendly series in which both teams are using players from local clubs. The teams drew 0-0 in Cordoba, Argentina two weeks ago, and Wednesday's winner will take home the trophy. Another draw will prompt a penalty shootout. But the trophy seems secondary to Menezes, who is under pressure after average results since taking charge of the Brazil team following the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Menezes has led Brazil to victories against team such as United States, Ukraine, Iran and Romania, but has failed when confronting traditional powerhouses—losing to Argentina, France and Germany and drawing at home against the Netherlands. Brazil also failed in its first official tournament under Menezes' command, being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Copa America in Argentina after a penalty-shootout loss to Paraguay. The pressure would only increase with a setback against the South American rivals on Wednesday, considering that Brazil enters the match favored to win. In addition to playing at home, Menezes will be using a squad that includes two-time FIFA player of the year Ronaldinho and young sensation Neymar, touted as a future star. “We have to win it, that has to be the goal,” Menezes said recently. More than 25,000 fans attended the team's practice at the Mangueirao stadium on Monday and the venue is expected to be packed for Wednesday's match. “It's amazing to see how much the fans are enjoying having us here,”midfielder Lucas said. “It would be perfect to win the match and make them happy.” Menezes won't be able to count on midfielder Paulinho, who was dropped from the squad Monday because of an injury. He also won't have young right back Mario Fernandes, who decided to skip the match against Argentina because “personal problems” left him “too stressed” to play for the national team. Argentina will be without veteran playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme, who is nursing a left knee injury sustained in Boca Juniors' 0-0 draw with Argentinos Juniors on Sunday in the Apertura tournament. Four Argentina players are coming from Brazilian clubs—Mario Bolatti, Andres D'Alessandro, Pablo Guinazu (all Internacional) and Walter Montillo (Cruzeiro.) The match at the Mangueirao is scheduled to start at 9:50 p.m. local time (0050 GMT).
