Douglas Luiz flops on Brazil duty amid Aston Villa to Juventus transfer rumours
Douglas Luiz was anonymous at times during Brazil’s late 3-2 friendly victory over Mexico, as reports that the midfielder could leave Aston Villa continue to surface.
The 26-year-old started at the base of a three-man Brazil midfield for the Selecao’s friendly with Mexico at Kyle Field in Texas, USA on Sunday (9 June), and was replaced by Bruno Guimaraes after 74 minutes.
Brazil proceeded to lose their 2-0 lead in the aftermath of Luiz’s withdrawal, and although Kendrick’s last-gasp strike eventually won the game, it’s a performance the Villa number six will be disappointed with.
Luiz has already been the subject of several transfer links this summer, with Juventus reportedly leading Arsenal and fellow Serie A side AC Milan in a heated race for the midfielder’s signature [Daily Mirror].
Douglas Luiz must improve on international stage
While Luiz didn’t have a horror show against Mexico in Texas, it was a relatively underwhelming showing from the usually all-action Villa midfielder, particularly with a place in Brazil’s Copa America starting XI on the line.
Sofascore gave the 26-year-old a 6.8 rating, the same as his replacement Guimaraes; but in 74 minutes of action at the heart of Brazil’s midfield, Luiz could have achieved a lot more.
While maintaining a pass accuracy of 96 per cent and finding a team-mate with four of his five attempted long balls, Luiz failed to attempt a single cross or key pass, even with Brazil 1-0 up inside five minutes.
Luiz had a single off-target shot and one successful dribble, yet was otherwise careless in possession, winning just three of his six overall duels (50 per cent), five of which took place on the ground.
Twice he lost possession and another two times he fouled his opponents in what was a somewhat worrying display for a defensive midfield pivot, making just a single tackle and clearance apiece and failing to put in any blocks or interceptions.
It’s in stark contrast from Luiz’s exceptional form for Villa, with whom he averages a 7.27 SofaScore rating.
While his duel success rate is similar at Premier League level (51 per cent), Luiz’s defensive numbers suggested far more activity, with 5.3 ball recoveries per 90 and 1.7 tackles.
The midfielder, if he stays put at Villa Park, will be playing Champions League football in claret and blue next season, and after what’s ideally a strong Copa America showing with Brazil, will go into the new season full of confidence.
Let’s just hope this performance for Brazil was a one-off and he gets back to his best soon – ideally in a Villa shirt.
In other Aston Villa news, Unai Emery must give John McGinn a chance after what he has showed for Scotland.
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