With more offensive options in a good phase, Brazil depends less on Neymar

Tite was irritated at the press conference after the 2-0 victory over Serbia, last Thursday (24). He didn’t like hearing questions about Neymar’s continuity in the World Cup. He has repeatedly said that the striker will play again at the World Cup in Qatar.

The attacker suffered a ligament injury in his right ankle and should only return to the team in the round of 16. This Monday (28), the selection plays its second game. It faces Switzerland and, if it wins, it guarantees the classification. This should give greater peace of mind for the coaching staff to wait for the number 10.

“Today [quinta] became one of the most difficult moments of my career… and again in a world cup. I have an injury, yes, it’s annoying, it’s going to hurt but I’m sure I’ll have the chance to come back because I’ll do everything possible to help my country, my teammates and myself”, wrote the striker on his Instagram account.

Injured in the quarterfinals in 2014, against Colombia, he suffered a crack in the metatarsal of his right foot four months before the 2018 tournament. In the past, it was easier to make a statement than it is today.

“It is inevitable, speaking of Neymar, an exceptional player, one of the best in the world, to regret that he will not be in the next game. However, we have quality players. If you compare him with Neymar, of course it will be difficult to find a player of his level We have quality players to replace their position”, said Casemiro this Saturday (26).

In the amount of titles and numbers, it is possible to see that, if no team becomes better technically without Neymar, the selection no longer has him as a lone star in the attack as it was in the past.

Without Neymar, injured, Brazil won the 2019 Copa America. He was not called up for the campaign that ended with the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics last year. With the number 10 on the field, the team lost the 2021 Copa América final to Argentina.

Out of almost 30% of games in the 2022 World Cup cycle, Neymar was very important, but not as much as in the 2014-2018 period. A campaign in the qualifiers that took the team to Qatar with 45 points, a record for the current format stipulated by Conmebol.

In his debut against Serbia, Neymar had a lackluster performance, despite the protests of his teammates when asked about the matter.

“I didn’t think so, no.”, replied Antony.

Tite recalled that, despite being injured, he remained on the field for more than 10 minutes to help the team. It was Richarlison who scored the goals that secured the three points.

“He smells goals. He looks for goals, he’s always wanting to score. I even joke that he’s a little hungry, but he’s good for us. He’s a great player”, said Casemiro about the top scorer in the first match.

Tite took advantage of the increase in the number of subscribers (from 23 to 26) and reinforced the offensive options. He didn’t have any Neymar problems in mind, but he has the options for his main player’s absence to be mitigated against Switzerland and Cameroon. Almost all are doing well at their clubs in Europe or Brazil — in Pedro’s case.

Even before presenting the list, he already said that a dispute for a place in the starting attack was possible. Not having the number 10 shirt will stir it up.

“I didn’t summon them. They summoned themselves”, summed up the commander.

The favorite to join the team is Rodrygo who, like Neymar, was formed by Santos and coming from a season in which he was decisive for Real Madrid’s Champions League conquest.

The advantage of the selection is greater with Neymar than without him. There are 85% of use of points with the presence of the ace. Without it, it’s 73.7%. But the difference was greater in previous cycles. In the cycle from 2014 to 2018, when he did not have the number 10, Brazil had a 68.7% success rate.