Brazil faces Switzerland and shows its face without Neymar in the World Cup

The Brazilian team has already shown different reactions in important moments in which it could not count on Neymar.

In 2014, when he was injured in the quarterfinals of the World Cup, the sequence was disastrous. His absence was not the only reason, but the next match was the historic 7-1 defeat by Germany at Mineirão, in Belo Horizonte.

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari opted at the time to replace shirt number 10 with Bernard. He understood that he should opt for a player with characteristics somewhat similar to those of the starter instead of reinforcing the midfield, largely dominated by the visitors.

Five years later, in 2019, Neymar suffered an injury on the eve of the Copa America. The competition, also held in Brazil, did not have the same importance, but the cast’s reaction was much better – worse would be difficult.

Without the main name on the field, some players assumed greater responsibility on the way to the only title in Brazil under Tite’s command. Between youngsters like Everton Cebolinha, now out of the group, and veterans like Daniel Alves, current reserve, several made up for the need for the technical leader.

In Qatar, the green-yellow team is again without Neymar, who injured his right ankle in the first round of the World Cup, in the 2-0 victory over Serbia, and will be out of at least the entire group stage. It’s time for the 2022 team to show its face.

This will be done from 1 pm (Brasília time) this Monday (28). Brazil will face Switzerland at stadium 974, in Doha, and, to demonstrate that this face is good, it has a generation that seems to have significantly reduced dependence on its star player.

In the debut, even before the injury of the number 10, players like Vinicius Junior and Richarlison, who scored two goals, stood out. Neymar was not on the most inspired night, he was hunted – he suffered nine fouls, more than anyone else in the Cup in the first round – and succumbed.

For better or for worse, the 30-year-old striker attracts attention. And he ends up offering greater freedom to his companions. In his absence, the front men will share the spotlights that had a specific direction.

The Swiss tried to say that their preparation had not been altered by their rival’s injury, in which they were not particularly convincing. “There’s a lot of quality on the field. I don’t sleep better knowing that Brazil will play without Neymar”, said defender Nico Elvedi.

The defender echoed the speech of his commander, Murat Yakin. “We’re up against an opponent who, I think, also have strong players on the bench. They can definitely organize two or three different teams. They won’t be any weaker because of that,” said the coach.

Yakin did not have confirmation of the team he will face. Without Neymar and also without right-back Danilo, another who had an ankle injury and was ruled out of the first phase, Tite did not announce the green-and-yellow formation.

“It is my habit, from now on [risos]pass [a escalação] at the time of the game”, joked the gaucho, who used to announce previously the 11.

On the side, despite the praise for veteran Daniel Alves, 39, the option should be for defender Éder Militão, who has played on the right at some points in his career. His functions will be more defensive and at the beginning of the plays.

In Neymar’s vacancy, who has been acting as a striker behind Richarlison, Rodrygo would mean the simplest change, as he is the member of the cast who brings together characteristics more similar to those of the usual owner of the position. And he won praise from the boss.

But the 21-year-old has never been a starter for the Brazilian national team, an inexperience that raises concerns. That’s why, in the last preparatory training session for the confrontation with Switzerland, the option most rehearsed was with the entry of midfielder Fred. Thus, Lucas Paquetá was advanced in midfield.

“Football is a context. And sometimes it is strategic in relation to the opponent. These are adjustments that can be executed, with one or another formation”, said Tite, noting that the successes are not based on improvisation. “The team already has a history, it’s nothing new. It has a history and a way of playing. It has three adjustments that it makes, it’s not going to change.”

The coach sought to demonstrate confidence that he will not be without Neymar for a long time. He stated that the player will still play in the Qatar Cup. Based, according to him, on what the selection doctors say.

According to defender Marquinhos, the two injured have spent “24 hours doing physiotherapy”.

The return, however, is still an incognito. And, on the way back, the forced stop can get in the way. This was already a problem in 2018, in Russia, when Neymar arrived at the World Cup recovering from an injury to his little toe. He failed to shine as expected and was heavily criticized for the time he remained lying on the lawn.

At the moment, and for the foreseeable future, the main name of the team is not available. An opportunity for people like Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Paquetá, Rodrygo and Richarlison to show their face in the main football championship on the planet.