Brazil are retaining their playing cards near their chest beneath the highlight of being the odds-on favorites as they put together to face Serbia of their World Cup Group G opener on Thursday.
The stress is on as Brazil intention for a document extending sixth title with a squad loaded with expertise however filled with younger gamers, with 16 of them making their World Cup debut.
A brand new era of gifted children like Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Raphinha, Eder Militao, Bruno Guimaraes and Antony, amongst others, have emerged on the elite stage of European membership soccer.
Paring the younger weapons with an in-form Neymar have made Brazil a juggernaut, profitable 37 of the 50 video games performed since their 2018 World Cup quarter-finals loss to Belgium in Russia.
In that interval, Brazil misplaced one official match, a 1-0 defeat by bitter rivals Argentina within the Copa America remaining.
They conceded 19 objectives on this World Cup cycle, ending 33 of these 50 matches with a clear sheet.
Tite’s background as a defensive coach means there was a lot hypothesis over his workforce choice for the match towards Serbia, with the largest query mark surrounding Vinicius Jr.
The 22-year-old scored Real Madrid’s winner within the Champions League remaining towards Liverpool and completed eighth within the Ballon d’Or poll final month, elevating him to world-class degree in his fifth season with the LaLiga facet.
However, he nonetheless has to safe a spot, with Tite not disclosing whether or not he’ll pair Fred along with his Manchester United workforce mate Casemiro to strengthen the midfield or unleash Vinicius up entrance alongside Neymar, Richarlison and Raphinha.
Even the gamers do not but know for positive who will likely be taking part in from the beginning towards Serbia, who clinched an automated berth in Qatar with a comeback 2-1 win over Portugal of their final Group A qualifying match.
Overall, Serbia received six video games and drew two, sending second-placed Portugal to the playoffs.
They arrive on the World Cup filled with confidence after ending high of their Nations League group, sealing promotion to top-tier League A with a 2-0 away win over Norway with objectives from strike duo Dusan Vlahovic and Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Serbia have by no means moved previous the group levels on the World Cup because the breakup of Yugoslavia however will likely be trying to seize momentum in a robust Group G that additionally consists of Switzerland and Cameroon.
Source: www.thehindu.com