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Neymar’s surprise Brazil replacement for Switzerland clash revealed


A surprise member of Tite’s Brazil squad is expected to be introduced to the country’s starting XI to face Switzerland, according to reports.

Tite, of course, has been left with no choice but to shuffle his deck ahead of the Selecao’s 2nd group stage outing of the Qatar World Cup.

This comes after none one, but two important members of his first-choice XI were ruled out for the remainder of the group stage.

The first comes in the form of Juventus defender Danilo, who has picked up an ankle concern.

The former Manchester City star, in turn, is likely to be replaced by one of Dani Alves or Eder Militao on Monday evening.

The other personnel blow suffered by Brazil during the country’s meeting with Serbia, on the other hand, proved of an altogether more high-profile nature.

This too came owing to an ankle injury, forcing star attacker and talisman Neymar to depart the Lusail Stadium pitch looking close to tears.

Neymar, as a result, is too certain to miss both of the Selecao’s upcoming fixtures, against Switzerland and Cameroon.

Such a blow has forced manager Tite into something of a reshuffle, with reports over the course of the week to date having pointed towards one of Rodrygo and Gabriel Martinelli as most likely to step into a starting berth next time out.

If the latest word stemming from Brazil on Sunday is anything to go by, however, then this in fact will not prove the case.

Instead, a change in formation appears to be incoming, amid claims on the part of the reliable Globo Esporte that Manchester United midfielder Fred has been chosen as Neymar’s replacement.

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Conor Laird

Conor Laird

Die-hard Juventus fan with a love for all things Italian, and a real soft spot for Arsenal cult heroes. Emmanuel Eboue, Nicklas Bendtner, Philippe Senderos... Give them all statues outside the Emirates.


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