Brazil names nine attacking-minded strikers for World Cup

Tite is not beating around the bush with his bid to claim a sixth World Cup for Brazil at Qatar 2022.

Anyone hoping there is some way that Brazil can field a mediocre team for the World Cup in Qatar this month will be sorely disappointed by Monday’s team announcement.

Head coach Adenor Leonardo Bacchi, known as Tite, has named no fewer than nine forwards in his 26-man squad, highlighting not only their breadth of options up front, but also giving an indication as to the type of attacking strategy high pressure. we can expect to see the most successful World Cup team at this year’s tournament in Qatar.

“We are one of the favourites,” Tite told reporters in Rio on Monday.

Neymar, a veteran of the Brazil team despite being only 30 years old, is at the forefront of Brazil’s attack, supported by youngsters like Vinicius Jr, Gabriel Martinelli and Rodrygo.

Dani Alves, the 39-year-old former Barcelona right-back, was also included in the list, which features eight defenders and six midfielders, despite not playing an official match for two months.

Alves will be the oldest player ever named to a Brazilian World Cup squad, but his long history with the national team and locker room leadership were not the main reasons he earned a place in the squad, Tite said. .

“He adds technical and tactical aspects that are impressive, to be an organizer, an articulator,” said the coach.

Disappointment

Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino has been left out of the squad. Aston Villa attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho will also be bitterly disappointed after a thigh injury in training over the weekend sidelined him for several weeks.

Brazil will take four centre-backs: Bremer from Juventus, Marquinhos from Paris Saint-Germain, Thiago Silva from Chelsea and Eder Militao from Real Madrid, leaving out Roger Ibáñez from Roma, Lucas Verissimo from Benfica and Gabriel Magalhaes, whose goal at the weekend put Arsenal back at the top of the English Premier League.

The Brazilian Football Federation also announced that former PSG coach Ricardo Gomes will join Tite’s coaching staff as an assistant.

The team and Tite will meet on November 14 at Juventus’ training facility in Turin, where Brazil will hold a five-day training camp before flying to Doha on November 19.

Brazil will play in Group G, with Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon. Serbia and Switzerland also had the misfortune of being in Brazil’s group four years ago in Russia, when the Brazilians lost to Belgium in the quarter-finals. Brazil’s World Cup campaign in Qatar begins against Serbia on November 24.

The 61-year-old Tite, whose childhood mentor Luiz Felipe Scolari led Brazil to their most recent World Cup victory 20 years ago, has already announced he will step down after this tournament after six years in charge of Brazil.

The entire Brazilian squad

Goalkeepers:

• Alison (Liverpool)
• Ederson (Manchester City)
• Weverton (Palms)

Defenders:

• Dani Alves (Cougars)
• Marquinhos (Paris Saint Germain)
• Thiago Silva (Chelsea)
• Eder Militao (Real Madrid)
• Daniel (Juventus)
• Alex Sandro (Juventus)
• Alex Telles (Sevilla)
• Bremer (Juventus)

Midfielders:

• Casemiro (Manchester United)
• Fred (Manchester United)
• Fabinho (Liverpool)
• Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle)
• Lucas Paqueta (West Ham)
• Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo)

Forward:

• Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain)
• Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)
• Richardson (Tottenham)
• Raphinha (Barcelona)
• Antony (Manchester United)
• Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
• Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
• Peter (Flemish)
• Rodrigo (Real Madrid)