BRAZIL THE UNDOUBTED FRONT-RUNNERS IN GROUP E
Switzerland, Serbia and Costa Rica in a battle to join five-time champions in knockout stage
The first team to qualify for this year’s World Cup, Brazil’s campaign was transformed by the appointment of Tite in June 2016 after a rocky start under his predecessor Dunga. A subsequent run of eight straight wins ensured the five-time champions preserved their proud record as the World Cup’s only ever-present nation and revived hopes of landing another title.
Their plans were nearly torpedoed when Neymar fractured a bone in his foot in February, but the 26-year-old is back training with the national team ahead of a redemption mission following their 2014 semi-final humiliation on home soil.
Neymar returned in style with a dazzling goal in a 2-0 World Cup warm-up win over Croatia last week.
“He came back better than I expected. I expected much less, because it is a process,” Tite said of Neymar’s comeback.
With Brazil clear group favourites, Switzerland and Serbia figure to battle it out for second place although Costa Rica will be quietly confident too after reaching the quarter-finals four years ago.
The Swiss, who threatened to force Portugal down the play-off route in qualifying, beat eventual champions Spain at the 2010 edition and took Argentina to extra time in the last 16 in Brazil but have yet to properly exceed expectations on the big stage.
Serbia return to the World Cup after missing out on the last tournament but coach Mladen Krstajic will be taking charge of his first competitive match in Russia having replaced Slavoljub Muslin following qualification.
Costa Rica were steady, if not spectacular as they sealed a place at a fourth finals in five tries.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas is his country’s most high-profile player and conceded just twice in five matches before an agonising penalty shoot-out lost denied Costa Rica a spot in the last four at the 2014 World Cup.
Meanwhile, when Neymar left Barcelona for Paris St-Germain last August he knew the 2017/18 season would be stressful but even for a man who loves to make headlines this year has provided plenty of news, both good and bad.
His brilliance has been offset by unsavoury spats with teammates and rivals and PSG’s canter to the league title was soured by the foot injury that kept him out of the season’s key games in their Champions League last-16 elimination by Real Madrid.
Exactly in what shape Neymar returns from that February injury will go a long way to determining Brazil’s fate in the World Cup, a tournament they have not won for 16 years.
Will he be well rested and raring to go? Or will he lack the sharpness needed at the very highest level?
Everyone in Brazil understands his importance to the team. The 26-yearold playmaker is not only their best player, he is also willing to take on the responsibility of team leader.
“Neymar is irreplaceable,” coach Tite said. “Because of his level, because of his quality and because he is one of the top three [players in the world]. That’s a fact.”
If Neymar plays well, Brazil are hard to beat. His influence will be vital if they are to win the World Cup.
For Switzerland, Xherdan Shaqiri, one of the more impressive performers for Stoke City in a season that ended in relegation from the Premier League, is hoping to do his unquestionable talent justice at his third World Cup.
The stocky, Kosovo-born winger faces an uncertain club future but a breakout performance in Russia would leave the former Bayern Munich and Inter Milan man with no shortage of suitors.
At 26, the ex-Basel standout still has time on his side but must find the right fit with his impending next move to truly establish himself as the “Alpine Messi”.
Serbia’srisingstarSergejMilinkovic- Savic will be among the players to watch in Russia after an outstanding season for Lazio in Serie A.
Manchester United are already reported to be among clubs following the progress of the 23-year-old attacking midfielder who is being compared to Serbian great Dejan Stankovic.
“I am ready to give everything for Serbia,” Milinkovic-Savic said. “The chance to take part in a competition such as the World Cup is the reason why I play football.”