FIFA World Cup 2022: Neymar starts physiotherapy as Brazil Coach Tite likely to make changes for Cameroon game

Anilava Chatterjee, Qatar: In what comes as a positive news in the Brazil camp, Neymar Jr has started his physiotherapy in the pool.  The team management is optimistic about his progress and are hopeful he can start training from next week. The Selecao are gearing up for their final Group G game against Cameroon at the Lusail Iconic stadium on Friday night. Thiago Silva and his boys had a light training session at the Al Arabi Stadium on Thursday.

Brazil has a number of players unavailable due to injury for the game against Indomitable Lions, with Alex Sandro the latest player to be ruled out after undergoing a scan regarding the hip issue that forced him off against Switzerland. In his absence, Alex Telles is likely to come into the team at left-back, having been brought on for the final five minutes last time out.

Coach Tite may also choose to rest a few Brazil players as a result of already qualifying for the knockout stages, so Bruno Guimaraes, Gabriel Jesus and Antony could be given some more minute.

The veteran coach was asked by the Brazilian media in the pre match conference whether it will be a right move to make multiple changes to the squad, citing the example of France losing their game against Tunisia after Deschamps chose to give rest to his main players including Kylian Mbappe.

According to Tite, he has 26 players to pick from. He is mulling at several options. May be play Liverpool star Fabiano and Gabriel Jesus. He also praised Bruno Guimaraes but the only thing going against the Newcastle United midfielder is his lack of experience. Tite has insisted he wants to keep his bench strength ready in case a need arises.

Brazil reached the round of 16 after two matches and needs only a draw against Cameroon to secure first place in Group G.

Here is the possible line-up of Brazil for the game against Cameroon: Alisson; Militao, Marquinhos, Silva, Telles; Casemiro, Guimaraes, Paqueta; Antony, Jesus and Vinicius Jr