Brazil World Cup bid built on solid foundations despite Neymar worries, Brazil may be concerned about Neymar’s ankle, but if a strong defense is the cornerstone of a successful World Cup campaign, then Tite’s team has a good chance of taking home the trophy in Qatar. Brazil’s Selecao has not given up a goal or even a shot on goal in two games as they attempt to win a record-tying sixth World Cup. Victories over Serbia and Switzerland allowed them to secure their place in the round of 16 with one group game remaining.
Brazil World Cup bid built on solid foundations despite Neymar worries
Although it is still early in the tournament and Brazil always starts out strong — they are currently unbeaten in a World Cup group stage record 17 games — things are looking up for Tite and there is no need to rely too heavily on Neymar. Alisson Becker of Liverpool, Thiago Silva, and Marquinhos in the center of defense, along with Casemiro anchoring the midfield, appear to be enough to withstand whatever the other top contenders have in store for them, even if it is likely to be much more than what the Swiss presented on Monday.
Tite admitted that Brazil missed Neymar in that game, with the Paris Saint-Germain superstar still recovering from a sprained ankle suffered in the opening 2-0 win over Serbia. Yet their defensive displays so far have been in keeping with their formidable record during an unbeaten South American qualifying campaign in which they kept 13 clean sheets and let in only five goals in 17 matches. That is one reason why Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, who scored the late winner against Switzerland, believes Brazil are a stronger side than four years ago.
They never really fired at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and went out in the quarter-finals to Belgium. “Four years have gone by, there are new players and we have a wider range of options,” he said after Monday’s match. Â “The defenders are more experienced. That is another match with a clean sheet, and it’s not just about Alisson or the back four — it starts from Richarlison up front.”
– Perfect understanding –
Having a strong defence is key — the six goals France let in four years ago was the most conceded by a World Cup winner since Italy in 1982. Â Spain let in just two goals in seven games during their victorious campaign in 2010, just like Italy in 2006 and France in 1998. Casemiro is so central to maintaining balance in a Brazil team overloaded with outstanding attackers — even without Neymar — that Liverpool star Fabinho is not a regular in Tite’s line-up. Neymar himself took to Twitter after the Switzerland game to hail Casemiro as having been “the best midfielder in the world for a long time”.
“I don’t usually comment on other peoples’ opinions,” said Tite. “But this time I will allow myself to say that I agree with Neymar.” Behind him the pairing of Thiago Silva, still going strong at 38, and Marquinhos may be even more important. The duo were teammates at PSG for seven years before Silva left for Chelsea in 2020, but Marquinhos was hardly used at the 2018 World Cup when Joao Miranda was preferred to him.
Marquinhos was a standout as Brazil won the Copa America in 2019 and advanced to the final of that competition once more the previous year. Tite has since realized the significance of Marquinhos. And Marquinhos and Silva get along like old friends. Marquinhos praised the presence of the Brazilian captain, saying, “Having someone alongside me who I know well is great for me.” He is a fantastic athlete, human being, friend, and brother from whom I have learned a great deal.