Injuries, physical concerns and a guaranteed place could make Tite choose a mixed team

With Brazil already qualified for the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar and with physical concerns, Tite has the opportunity to do something that, historically, is not common in the Brazilian national team: to choose a mixed team in the tournament.

With six points and leader of Group G, the selection plays for a draw with Cameroon next Friday (2) to take the first place. He would then face the second of Group H, which is still undefined.

“We are going to do the physical and physiological reassessment before thinking about the next opponent”, said Tite, minutes after the 1-0 victory over Switzerland, last Monday (28).

Neymar, Alex Sandro and Danilo, all injured, are already banned for the last round. Flu symptoms in Antony and Lucas Paquetá were monitored by the medical department.

Fifa’s World Cup protocol does not require players to be tested for Covid-19. Just recommend. The CBF did not make them.

Of the 26 players called up for the World Cup, Tite used 19. The two reserve goalkeepers, Ederson and Weverton, winger Daniel Alves, defender Bremer, defensive midfielder Fabinho, midfielder Everton Ribeiro and striker Pedro have yet to debut.

Even when playing already classified in the last round of the group stage, Brazil doesn’t usually make many changes.

It was like this in 2010, for example. Still in contention for the top spot, Dunga made just three changes between the team that defeated Ivory Coast and the one that tied with Portugal. Daniel Alves, Julio Baptista and Nilmar entered.

The only exception happened in 2006. After passing through Croatia and Australia, Carlos Alberto Parreira decided to change five pieces to face Japan. Cicinho, Gilberto, Gilberto Silva, Juninho Pernambucano and Robinho received opportunities as starters.

“I felt good. It had been a while since I played in this position and it took me some time [para me acostumar]🇧🇷 But I felt good”, said defender Eder Militão, improvised on the right wing against Switzerland thanks to Danilo’s injury.

The world champion Brazilian teams that reached the last round of the initial phase made few changes.

In 2002, Felipão decided to change only three names to face Costa Rica: Edmílson, Júnior and Edílson entered. In 1994, there were even fewer. Parreira kept the same team that defeated Cameroon for the tie with Sweden.

In 1970, against Romania, there was only one change: Fontana played in the starting line-up.

Tite is not expected to announce the lineup. Not even at his press conference next Thursday (1st). He already said he doesn’t like to show his opponent what he intends to do in the team.

“The boys are doing the job”, said defender Thiago Silva, about the possibility of changes and how the reserves have reacted when given opportunities.

Tite will hardly run the risk of repeating what happened to the selection in the World Cup in Spain, in 1982. Telê Santana did not make any changes between the 11 chosen for the match against Scotland and the one that would face New Zealand. He caused discontent in the reserves who saw in the confrontation with the fragile opponent the opportunity to appear.