Brazil World Cup 2018 team guide – opponents and fixtures, kits, key player, probable line-up
Taking an in-depth look at one of the favourites to win in Russia
Brazil take part in their 21st World Cup this summer.
marvelbet369.com take an in-depth look at the Group E nation...
MANAGER
Adenor Leonardo Bacchi, commonly known as Tite, is hugely popular in Brazil. He was in charge of Corinthians when they became the last South American side to win the Club World Cup in 2012, beating none other than reigning European champions Chelsea in the final.
The 56-year-old took a sabbatical year to study modern football at the end of the 2013 season, before returning to Corinthians in 2014 and guiding them to the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A win in 2015 the following year.
It became clear the national team had made a mistake opting for Dunga instead of Tite in 2014, but they atoned for their error by firing Dunga after a disappointing Copa America.
Since Tites 2016 appointment, the Samba Stars have gone from strength to strength, winning nine-consecutive qualifying matches to book their place in Russia with ease
CAPTAIN
Well, this is anyones guess. The captaincy became a contentious issue for the Selecao after Neymar publicly resigned from the role just after leading Brazil to gold at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Instead of appointing a permanent skipper, Tite has decided to share the armband around the squad, leading to 15 different captains in their last 18 games. Its his own quirky way of bringing out leadership qualities in all of his players.
KEY PLAYER
In a team of world-class talent, it speaks volumes that Neymar quite clearly stands out. The hopes of an entire nation rest largely on the worlds most expensive player.
The phrase Neymar dependencia has genuinely established itself in Brazilian football parlance, so you can imagine the panic when he suffered a fractured metatarsal and sprained ankle early in March. The 26-year-old made a scoring return to action in Brazil's pre-World Cup friendlies.
ONE TO WATCH
A key reason why Brazil have faltered since 2002, is because they failed to replace one of the greatest strikers in World Cup history: Ronaldo.
But, in Gabriel Jesus, they look to have finally found their man. Only Edinson Cavani scored more goals than the 21-year-old in South American qualifying and he has brought a new dimension to Brazils play.
Home-grown heroes matter in Brazil. Its a large part of the reason why Jesus starts over Roberto Firmino. The fans can relate to Jesus, having watched him come through at Palmeiras between 2014 and 2017.
FIXTURES
Sunday, June 17: Brazil v SWITZERLAND (Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don) kick-off 19:00
Friday, June 22: Brazil v COSTA RICA (Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg) kick-off 13:00
Wednesday, June 27: SERBIA v Brazil (Otkrytiye Arena, Moscow) kick-off 19:00
KITS
RECORD IN QUALIFYING
Everyone knows the toughest route to the World Cup is via South America. Just ask Chile, who finished sixth on goal difference and wont be travelling to Russia.
Brazil, however, made light-work of the group, finishing ten points clear of nearest-rivals Uruguay. This despite starting the campaign under the unsuccessful Dunga and switching manager midway through.
Back-to-back 2-2 draws against Uruguay and Paraguay in March 2016 left Brazil feeling the pressure, before Junes underwhelming Copa America. Tite took the reins for a difficult trip to Ecuador in September 2016, and his side cruised to a 3-0 victory to get their campaign back on track.
They never looked back under their new boss, stringing nine-consecutive victories together to make qualification an absolute breeze.
TOURNAMENT PREPARATIONS
The city of Liverpool can look forward to a tasty friendly between Brazil and Croatia at Anfield on Sunday June 3rd.
They will then travel to face Austria on Sunday June 10th at the Ernst Happel Stadion, leaving a week to prepare for their opening game.
Brazil have impressed in recent friendlies, notably beating Germany 1-0 at the Olympiastadion Berlin in March earlier this year.
BASE CAMP
Swissotel Resort Sochi Kamelia, Sochi
PROBABLE LINE-UP
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