Copa America final: Alisson and Firmino influence explained

The Liverpool duo will aim to secure continental triumph for their country in the showpiece match against Peru at the Maracana.

Ahead of the decisive fixture, we spoke to freelance football writer Jack Lang about the influence Alisson and Firmino have had on Brazil’s run to the cusp of glory...

Brazil are through to the final of the 2019 Copa America after a 2-0 semi-final win over arch-rivals Argentina on Tuesday. How fancied are they now to prevail in Sunday’s final against a Peru side they beat 5-0 in the group stage?

The expectation is that they will win. It’s unlikely to be quite as straightforward as that game in São Paulo was – Peru cannot be that bad again, frankly – but it would be a big surprise if Brazil didn’t lift the trophy now.

How cathartic was it to register that win over Argentina at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte, the venue for their infamous 7-1 defeat by Germany during World Cup 2014?

Somewhat, although the process of coming to terms with that defeat has been a long-term thing. The 7-1 hangover seemed more relevant at the World Cup, and while Tite was asked about it before the Argentina match, it was only a minor part of the build-up in the local press. It wasn’t the first big match they played back at the Mineirao, after all: Brazil beat Argentina in a qualifying game there in November 2016.

Having scored one and set up another against Argentina, Firmino is now the joint-top scorer and assist provider in the tournament. How significant a part of Brazil’s journey to the final has Liverpool’s No.9 been, and what is the overall perception of him in the nation at large?

It has been a good month for his standing in the national team. It took Firmino some time to win Brazil supporters over – the fact he never played top-flight football here didn’t help on that front – but Tite has always been a big fan. The question was whether the Seleção could play in a way that gets the most from him. He doesn’t quite have the understanding with the other forwards that he does at Liverpool, but he is beginning to click with Gabriel Jesus, and his intelligence has shone through.

Firmino was not an automatic starter for Brazil in last summer’s World Cup but came into the Copa America as first-choice centre-forward. What has changed during that time and how much of it is down to his impressive showings in a Liverpool jersey?

Club form had a lot to do with it, with that Champions League win especially eye-catching. But it was also a reaction to that World Cup exit. Tite stuck with Jesus for too long, even when he wasn’t scoring, and realised later that he should have given Firmino a chance. The latter got a run in the team in the friendlies, and he had taken the chance.

Having been forced to choose between one or the other in the past, Brazil coach Tite seems to have found a way to incorporate both Firmino and Manchester City striker Jesus into his side this summer, with the pair setting up one another’s goals on Tuesday. How exactly has he managed that?

Quite simple, really: Jesus has played out wide. It’s something he did when he came through at Palmeiras, and while it does take something away from his game, he still has the freedom to pop up in central areas. That flexibility suits Firmino, who set up goals against Bolivia and Argentina after drifting out to the right.

Alisson has played every minute of Brazil’s Copa America campaign and is yet to concede. How important to Tite’s side is the defensive security that the Liverpool goalkeeper provides?

Extremely. In fairness, the defence in front of him is very good, and the protection provided by Casemiro also helps. But even then, Alisson is a real source of calm: he exudes confidence, whether it’s when plucking crosses out of the air or starting attacks with his feet. And when he has to make a sharp save – one from Paraguay’s Derlis Gonzalez in the quarter-final springs to mind – he does it with the minimum of fuss.