The Selecao return to action for the first time since World Cup 2018 as the Brasil Global Tour returns to the United States
This month Brazil return to action for the first time since World Cup 2018, where they fell to Belgium in the quarter-finals.
The Brasil Global Tour has returned to North America, where the Selecao will face USA in New Jersey on Friday before hosting El Salvador near Washington on Tuesday.
Coach Tite agreed to remain after the World Cup to continue his excellent work and over the next three months will trial a number of new faces in the six remaining Brasil Global Tour dates of 2018.
With one eye on Copa America 2019, the work ahead of World Cup 2022 in Qatar starts now.
The Chevrolet Brasil Global Tour returns with a double-header in the United States.
Brazil will meet USA in New Jersey on September 7 before hosting El Salvador in Washington on September 11.
Brazil last met USA in September 2015 when Neymar scored twice to inspire his side to a 4-1 victory in Foxborough.
The five-time world champions’ previous meeting with El Salvador arrived in 1998 when goals from Romario and Edmundo helped them a 4-0 win Los Angeles
It is true the resurgence of the Selecao had expectations sky high once again in Russia earlier this year, but nobody can deny the excellent work Tite and his staff have done since taking control in June 2016.
Brazilian football was at a real low point following the infamous 7-1 defeat to Germany and two disappointing Copas America, but Tite transformed the side almost overnight and quickly ensured the five-time world champions returned to the elite of world football.
Under his command, Brazil have won 20, drawn 4 and lost only 2 matches – their only setbacks coming to Belgium at the World Cup and a 1-0 defeat for an experimental side against Argentina on the Brasil Global Tour in June 2017.
Ahead of his squad announcement last month, Tite and his technical coordinator Edu made it clear that the six Brasil Global Tour dates of 2018 would be used to experiment with new faces.
The task now is to being to put together the team that will compete for the Copa America on home soil next year.
Throughout his two years in charge, Tite has maintained a strong consistency throughout his squad selections, but with a new cycle beginning this month, big changes have been made.
No fewer than 11 players who failed to make his World Cup squad were invited to USA this month as part of his original 24-man squad: Neto (Valencia), Hugo (Flamengo), Dede (Cruzeiro), Felipe (Porto), Fabinho (Liverpool), Alex Sandro (Juventus), Andreas Pereira (Manchester United), Arthur (Barcelona), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo), Everton (Gremio) and Pedro (Fluminense).
Coach Tite has become well-accustomed to late withdrawals from his Brazil squads. And this month has been no different.
Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson requested to be left out of the squad for personal reasons ahead of the squad announcement. Midfielder Renato Augusto was included in the 24, but then followed suit by citing personal reasons for his withdrawal. With squad maximums of 23, Renato was not replaced.
Fluminense striker Pedro was the first to withdraw though injury. He was replaced by Everton forward Richarlison who is now hoping to make his full international debut.
Right-back Fagner then withdrew with a physical problem of his own and replaced by young Porto defender Eder Militao.
Brazil squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Allison (Liverpool), Neto (Valencia), Hugo (Flamengo).
Centre-backs: Dede (Cruzeiro), Marquinhos (PSG), Thiago Silva (PSG), Felipe (Porto).
Full-backs: Alex Sandro (Juventus), Flipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Fabinho (Liverpool), Eder Militao (Porto).
Midfielders: Andreas Pereira (Manchester United), Fred (Manchester United), Arthur (Barcelona), Pilippe Coutinho (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo).
Forwards: Douglas Costa (Juventus), Everton (Gremio), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Neymar (PSG), Richarlison (Everton), Willian (Chelsea).
Neymar suffered a disappointing World Cup both on a collective and personal level. The PSG forward accepted the criticism for his apparent histrionics as he was repeatedly targeted with heavy fouling from opposition players.
The 26-year-old fronted up shortly after the tournament and vowed to change that side of his game – and he returns to the Selecao this month as a senior player who will be asked to lead by example.
Entering the peak years of his career, Neymar will be vital to the Selecao’s fortunes over the coming years and his fine form looks set to continue in USA this month.
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