Raphinha: Brazil will play attacking football no matter who starts
BRAZIL will attack against Serbia in their opening World Cup match regardless of who starts, forward Raphinha said, with the biggest question mark surrounding Vinicius Jr.
Coach Tite has given no clues about his team selection as he prepares the favourites, with Vinicius Jr yet to be guaranteed a place in the line-up for the five-time World Cup winners.
“We’re an attacking team, and having more players up front helps us because of our DNA,” Raphinha told a news conference.
Tite is keeping under wraps whether he will pair Fred with his Manchester United teammate Casemiro to strengthen the midfield, or unleash Vinicius alongside Neymar, Richarlison and Raphinha, with Lucas Paqueta able to play as a second or third man in midfield, depending on the system. “With Vinicius, we have a more vertical and fast team that can run the channels, but having Paqueta in a more attacking role makes us a more dangerous team from the middle,” Raphinha said. Brazil opened the first 20 minutes of their training session to the media on Monday, but kept under wraps the system and players Tite will use in their first match, offering no sight of the 11-on-11 practice match, which was held behind closed doors.
Forward Richarlison agreed with his teammate about Brazil’s approach, and made clear what he would prefer his coach to do.
“For me, I would play with as many players up front as we could,” Richarlison told a news conference.
“With more forwards, the ball would get more often to me and I would score more goals. That is what I want, being Brazil No 9.”
Brazil begin their World Cup Group G campaign against Serbia tomorrow, before facing Switzerland and Cameroon.
| Reuters