Anilava Chatterjee, Qatar: Pre tournament favourites Brazil will take on Switzerland in their second game in Group G at Stadium 974 on Monday. The Selecao have lived up to the expectations with a resounding 2-0 win over Serbia in the opening fixture of FIFA World Cup 2022 here in Qatar. Richarlison scored a world class goal. But despite the win, Coach Tite will be scratching his head as to who will replace injured Neymar Jr and Danilo in the playing XI against the Swiss. The Brazilian coach has not named his playing XI ahead of the match against Switzerland, thereby raising speculations.
Neymar will miss the rest of the group stage after suffering an ankle ligament injury in the latter stages of the match against Serbia. Considering that the Paris Saint-Germain player is given a free role for his national side, Tite may need to make some tactical adjustments with him missing. The Brazilian team had a light training at the Al Habibi Sports Complex on Sunday.
Real Madrid’s Rodrygo Silva, who is being hailed as the latest prodigy in Brazilian football is tipped to replace Neymar. If Rodrygo is not included in playing XI then Fred can be drafted in the midfield beside Casemiro and Paquita can be brought in the attacking line. Former Barcelona star Dani Alves can replace Danilo but it is not clear whether the veteran footballer is hundred percent fit as he is carrying an old injury. There are talks that Real Madrid’s Eder Militao can be played in an unfamiliar position at right side-back by Tite
According to Ol Globo journalist, Tite has not revealed his playing XI in the pre-match conference. He prefered to keep his playing XI a mystery. The Brazilian gaffer on being asked about the availability of Neymar and Danilo did reiterate that he is confident that they will be available during this World Cup. He didn’t say a date for when they can return to the pitch but he is convinced both of them will play during this World Cup.
Tite said he has options in hand but at the same time Brazilian team needs Neymar because he is the biggest player of the team.
Brazil’s possible starting lineup against Switzerland will be: Alisson; Eder Militao, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Alex Sandro; Casemiro, Fred, Paqueta; Raphinha, Richarlison, Vinicius Junior
Watch Brazil’s training session at the Al Habibi Sports Complex ahead of Switzerland game: