Brazil’s forward Richarlison with teammates during a training session at Al Arabi SC in Doha yesterday.
Doha: Despite missing their talisman Neymar, mighty Brazil are tipped to get three points against Switzerland, who have warned they are more experienced than the side that faced the Selecao four years ago.
The Swiss held the five-time champions 1-1 in Russia – their second World Cup game against the South American giants after both the sides played a 2-2 draw at the 1950 World Cup.
The two sides will square off at the Stadium 974 with today’s result likely to determine the Group G winners.
Brazil, seeking an end to their 20-year trophy drought, rode on a second half brace from Richarlison to blank Serbia 2-0 in their first match, while Cameroon-born Breel Embolo scored the winner to help Switzerland start with a 1-0 win against a spirited Cameroon.
The victory over Serbia sealed eighth successive victory for Brazil, who are unbeaten since their defeat in the 2021 Copa America final.
But Brazil will go into the match sans Neymar and full back Danilo, who suffered ankle injuries against Serbia.
Brazil coach Tite insisted that both the key players will return to play for the side at this World Cup.
“Brazil is dependent on every great talent, and Neymar is an extraordinary talent. Of course it depends, but so does the preparation of others,” he told reporters yesterday.
“I believe that Neymar and Danilo are going to play in the World Cup. Medically, clinically, I don’t have a place to speak. But I also have the medical words that they have. I keep doing it, not only for Neymar, but for Danilo too, who seemed in a more comfortable situation. I believe we are going to use them in the Cup,” he added.
Defender Marquinhos, who is also Neymar’s teammate at Paris Saint-Germain, said Brazil will miss the two key players but warned the Selecao would still be formidable without them.
“Obviously we wanted to have Neymar and Danilo. The coach wanted all 26 players available for the World Cup. But we are ready and confident that we can show how strong the squad is, that we are well trained and ready for whatever the tournament throws at us,” said Marquinhos.
“In a World Cup the team that starts the tournament is not always the team that finishes it, because of injuries or because some are playing better than others. Everyone has an important role to play,” he added.
Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, 21, is likely to play in Neymar’s position alongside Vinicius, Richarlison and Raphinha, if Tite opts to continue with
four up-front against Switzerland.
Meanwhile, Swiss coach Murat Yakin said Brazil remain a tough side without Neymar.
“I think that team has enough excellent players to build three teams,” he told reporters yesterday. “The challenge is not going to get easier for us.”
Swiss midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri said his side, boasting more experienced players, is capable of pulling off better result against Brazil than they did four years ago.
“We are aware of what we can do and I think we have made progress. We have more experience and have been challenged by greater teams since,” he told reporters before adding that Swiss must avail their chances against the tough side.
“If you don’t get a lot of opportunities, you really need to take advantage of them,” he said. “That’s what we want to do tomorrow [today].”
Switzerland, who topped the Qatar 2022 qualifying group that included European champions Italy after an unbeaten campaign, are eyeing the knockout stage berth for fourth time in last five editions.
They advanced through the group stage in 2006, 2014 and 2018 — but were eliminated in the first stage in 2010.
When: Today at 7:00pm
Where: Stadium 974
Capacity: 44,089
Key stats:
- Brazil, unbeaten in qualifying for Qatar, have won the World Cup five times and are favourites to win a record-extending sixth title.
Switzerland have reached the knockout stage in three of their last four World Cups — in 2006, 2014 and 2018 — but crashed out at the group stage in 2010.
- Brazil have played in every World Cup since 1930 but have not reached the final since they last won the title in 2002.
- Switzerland were unbeaten through qualifying, topping a group that included European champions Italy.
Previous meetings:
- Monday's match will be the third time Brazil will have played Switzerland at the World Cup.
- The teams last met in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where they drew 1-1. They also drew 2-2 at the 1950 World Cup.
- In nine matches against Switzerland, Brazil have recorded three wins, four draws and two losses.
