Manuel Sanchez Gomez
Doha, Nov 21 (EFE).- Several questions are running through Tite’s head. What to do with the sides, which nine to eliminate and whether or not to put Vinícius Júnior. The Real Madrid striker is certainly not the undisputed owner of the ‘yellow-and-greens’ and his role in the team will be decided when the Brazilian coach gives the formation for the duel against Serbia.
The current situation suggests that Tite, in a more defensive profile, can shelter the midfield with the entry of Lucas Paquetá, as he has already done against Tunisia (5-1) and against South Korea ( 1-5), the last two friendlies of the Brazilian team before the World Cup.
That would leave Vinícius out of the equation. Paquetá would act as inside left, with Neymar in the ’10 position, Raphinha in right profile and Richarlison or Gabriel Jesús up front. Behind there will be the double pivot, with the position assured for Casemiro, accompanied by Fred or Fabinho.
The possible replacement of Vinícius is not a surprise within the Brazilian squad. The Real Madrid footballer continues with the previous season’s good momentum at club level, but his performance and packaging with Brazil are not similar.
While he scores every two games with the ‘Whites’, he has only scored once in 16 appearances in Brazil. Indeed, since his debut in November 2019, Vinícius has only played one complete match – against Argentina (0-0) in November 2021 – and has only started seven times.
So it’s no surprise that Tite thinks a player with Paquetá’s international experience (35 caps) can give Brazil more balance in midfield. Where Vinícius stands out is in the management of important matches. He played in the most important rounds of the Champions League, as well as being fundamental in the final with a goal against Liverpool. Paquetá, for his part, has not won titles in Lyon or West Ham and in the Copa América that Brazil won in 2019 he did not participate for a minute in either the semi-finals or the final.
This decision, however; That can change as the tournament progresses, given that Serbia, with Dusan Vlahovic, Aleksandr Mitrovic and Filip Kostic, are the strongest rivals in the group stage and the one that can create the most problems for a defense that also has some uncertainties, with doubts in the wings (Alex Sandro and Danilo) and in the center of defense (Thiago Silva or Militao).
If the result against the Serbs is positive, Tite, whose style is always leaning more towards the defensive profile, can choose to attack his formation with the entry of Vinícius. Until then, his role is in limbo. EFE extension
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