Brazil not so reliant on Neymar this time round
▶ Richard Jolly provides everything you need to know about the four nations that make up GROUP E ahead of the June 14-July 15 tournament
BRAZIL
Qualified Convincingly and quickly, easily maintaining their record as the only team to play in every World Cup. Their only defeat came in the first game, to Chile. They were the first team to qualify in March 2017. They won the South American section by 10 points, taking 32 from 36 after Tite’s appointment.
Manager Tite. A Copa Libertadores winner with Corinthians, he has had a huge impact since replacing Dunga in 2016, winning 15 of his first 19 games in charge, improving the defensive record – they only conceded four goals in 2017 – and sharing the captaincy around in a bid to reduce the dependency on Neymar.
Player to watch Fagner. Brazil thought they had the ultimate leader in the shape of the serial winner Dani Alves but with the Paris Saint-Germain right-back ruled out, much rests on his deputy. Corinthians defender Fagner has pace but lacks experience on the international stage. The alternative is Manchester City’s Danilo.
Talking point Do Brazil have more of a team now? In 2014, they capitulated without the injured Neymar, losing 7-1 to Germany. Their reliance on him in attack partly reflected on how wretched strikers Jo and Fred were. The emergence of Gabriel Jesus and the improvement of Roberto Firmino give superior options now, while Philippe Coutinho brings another creative option to take some of the weight off Neymar’s shoulders. But it is still a concern that the world’s most expensive player has been out since February with a metatarsal injury. Willian and Douglas Costa are his probable deputies but Neymar’s record – 53 goals in 83 caps – makes it imperative he is back and at his best.
Prediction The only side from the Americas to win the World Cup in any other continent and they definitely have the chance to extend that record. Brazil need to win the group to avoid Germany in the last 16; if they do, it is a potential final. There will be questions about Brazil’s psychology after the collapse in 2014 and the lack of a playmaker at the heart of the midfield. But there is solidity at the heart of the team and a strong defensive unit (few countries have two goalkeepers as good as Alisson and Ederson), an excellent front three and a galvanising manager equip them to go a long way.