Brazil v Venezuela: Luiz Gustavo expecting a tough clash

Venezuela will prove difficult to break down but Brazil
have the quality to win even without Neymar, says Luiz
Gustavo.

Luiz Gustavo is wary of a difficult encounter when Brazil take
on Venezuela in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.

Both sides fell to defeats in their opening fixtures of the
campaign, with Dunga's men beaten 2-0 by Chile and Noel
Sanvicente's side losing 1-0 at home to Paraguay courtesy of
Derlis Gonzalez's 85th-minute strike.

Captain Neymar will be absent for Brazil as he serves the final
game of his four-match suspension, but Wolfsburg midfielder
Luiz Gustavo is confident they have the depth to see off a
Venezuela side that he expects to play in a compact manner.

"Our team can play very well, we have quality players," he said.

"It's probable that Venezuela will come defensively having lost
at home, but we will try in every way possible to create spaces
and situations to score from and win."

The midfielder acknowledged that defeat to Chile – the first time
Brazil have ever lost their opening qualifier – has piled on the
pressure to earn their first points of the campaign, but again
emphasised his belief in the squad.

"We know the competition that we're playing in. We faced the
Copa America champions, tried to do our best but unfortunately
did not get the positive result," he added.

"This increases the difficulty, but we have an excellent group."

Dunga will also be without David Luiz – who was replaced by
Marquinhos in the 36th minute of the clash with Chile – and
Marcelo Grohe after the pair withdrew from the squad due to
injury and the coach did not take up the option to call on any
replacements.

Luiz Gustavo admitted that it was a blow but called upon
whoever is drafted into the starting line-up to seize the chance,
with the introduction of Lucas Lima further forward also a
distinct possibility.

"It is always sad, especially when an injury happens. I hope they
recover quickly and can return to help the national team and
their clubs," he continued.

"Everyone has the ability to play. Whoever enters will have to
take the opportunity in the best way."

Venezuela handed a debut to former Barcelona man Jeffren
Suarez in their clash with Paraguay, but midfielder Tomas
Rincon still believes improvement is needed in attack if they are
to improve upon a dismal record of just one win in 22 meetings
with Brazil.

"We have to improve in the final third. Perhaps choosing when
to pass or when to attack better," Rincon said.

There are no new injury worries for Sanvicente, who will be
hoping his side can get a better result than the 2-1 defeat they
suffered when the two nations last met at Copa America 2015.