With Neymar out for at the very least one other match, Brazil coach Tite should now begin excited about a substitute – and this time he has loads of choices.
Brazil is just not as Neymar-dependent because it was once, and Tite might go a number of other ways to interchange the Paris Saint-Germain ahead for Monday’s Group G match in opposition to Switzerland.
Neymar harm his proper ankle in Brazil’s opening 2-0 win in opposition to Serbia on Thursday. He has ligament injury and group docs haven’t given a timetable for his restoration — or stated if he’ll be capable to get better in any respect.
Tite introduced 9 forwards to the World Cup, and will additionally add a midfielder as Neymar’s substitute if needed. Probably the most simple possibility can be to make use of Rodrygo in Neymar’s place, preserving Raphinha, Vinícius Júnior and Richarlison in assault. Rodrygo playes extra as an attacker at Actual Madrid, however he has educated in Neymar’s “No. 10” playmaking place whereas with Brazil in Qatar.
One other different can be to place an additional midfielder in Neymar’s place — Manchester United’s Fred or Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães, for instance — liberating up attacking midfielder Lucas Paquetá, who performed nearer to defensive midfielder Casemiro in opposition to Serbia.
One other attacking midfielder obtainable to Tite is Everton Ribeiro, whereas the opposite forwards within the squad are Gabriel Jesus, Antony, Gabriel Martinelli and Pedro.
Neymar attracted a lot of the consideration from the powerful Serbian protection, which stored roughing him up from the beginning. He was fouled 9 instances through the sport, essentially the most by any participant on the World Cup within the first spherical of matches within the group stage.
Neymar is Brazil’s second-best all-time scorer with 75 targets, two behind Pelé’s report with the nationwide group. The final time he was out at a World Cup — due to a again harm sustained within the quarterfinals in opposition to Colombia in 2014 — Brazil went on to get embarrassed by Germany 7-1 within the semifinals.
Tite gained’t be capable to rely on proper again Danilo, who additionally sprained his ankle in opposition to Serbia. Danilo’s substitute will probably be veteran Daniel Alves, though Tite might additionally use central defender Éder Militão within the place.
Brazil, looking for its first World Cup title in twenty years, faces Cameroon in its final group match. It might attain the spherical of 16 prematurely with a win on Monday if Cameroon doesn’t defeat Serbia within the different group match.