90min

Brazil predicted lineup vs South Korea - World Cup

By Grey Whitebloom

Tite may be holding up five fingers but Brazil are aiming for their sixth World Cup
Tite may be holding up five fingers but Brazil are aiming for their sixth World Cup / Jean Catuffe/GettyImages
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Brazil have been pitted against South Korea for their World Cup round of 16 tie on Monday night.

Vincent Aboubakar's stoppage-time winner for Cameroon condemned Brazil to their first group-stage defeat since 1998. Despite the loss to Norway that year, the Selecao conspired to reach the final - though the less said about that infamous evening in Paris the better.

Here's the XI Tite may deploy to keep Brazil's dream of reaching the final (and winning it this time) alive.

Brazil predicted lineup vs South Korea (4-2-3-1)

Vinícius Júnior
Vinicius Junior has been used as a substitute for half of his 18 international caps / Simon M Bruty/GettyImages

GK: Alisson - Brazil's number one hasn't even had to make a save yet at this tournament.

RB: Eder Militao - One of just two players that started against Switzerland and Cameroon, Militao may be in line for a third outing on the spin in light of Brazil's fitness struggles.

CB: Thiago Silva - By his own admission, Silva is "a shy person and I struggle to make friends".

CB: Marquinhos - PSG's captain has been used more than any other compatriot since Tite took over the national team.

LB: Danilo - Back in training, the versatile defender may be shoehorned into the XI on his unnatural flank in the potential absence of Alex Sandro.

CM: Fred - During his formative years, Fred was coached by Brazilian World Cup winner Eder - a "great person" and a "top guy" according to Manchester United's midfielder.

CM: Casemiro - Dubbed "the best midfielder in the world for a long time" by Neymar after his game-winner against Switzerland.

AM: Rodrygo - Due to be born on Christmas Day 2000, Rodrygo's father, Eric, feared that his son would be at a disadvantage as the youngest in his age group so pleaded with his wife: "For the love of God, don’t let him be born now.” Denise held on until 9 January.

RW: Raphinha - The Barcelona forward described the varzea tournaments which he played in trying to catch the eye of professional clubs as "the Wild West".

ST: Richarlison - During his first international tournament with Brazil, Richarlison started the first game, got mumps, recovered and came on in the final to score a nerveless 90th-minute penalty to win the 2019 Copa America. A brace in Brazil's opening World Cup game greased the wheels for another eventful campaign.

LW: Vinicius Junior - Neymar may be his idol but Vinicius is the forward most likely to be tasked with taking up the attacking burden created by the 30-year-old's fitness concerns.

Harry Symeou hosts Andy Headspeath, Toby Cudworth & La Liga TV presenter Semra Hunter to look back on the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa - join us!

If you can't see the podcast embed, click here to download or listen to the episode in full!

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