World Cup 2022: Without Neymar, Brazil rely on shadow worker Casemiro

Doha Stadium 974 serves a variety of purposes. This odd assemblage of removable, removable containers — 974 of them, according to Qatar’s phone number — serves as an environmental safeguard for the World Cup in the Gulf nation. But on Monday, November 28, the enclosure could have been a model for Brazil’s team: in any building, each piece must find its place. In the first match, in the absence of Neymar, who injured his ankle, Brazil fought, but beat Switzerland (1-0). In the absence of a successful performance, the Seleção’s players, who are dreaming of a sixth world title – to the extent that some have drawn a star on their training shorts – have confirmed their ticket to the next round of the competition.

Forced to live without Neymar, who stayed in a hotel to rehabilitate, it was a dirtier Brazil than the one in their opener that took over the pitch. Less liquid, on alternating current. And like the Seleção, which lacks the spark that often appears, the 974 Stadium fell victim to a dip in the intensity of the lights at the end of the first period. But captain Thiago Silva’s partners fulfilled their mission: win, go to the last 16.

Tite is perhaps the only coach among the thirty-two teams that competed at the World Cup to have such attacking equipment. There was no shortage of options to compensate for his lack of No.10. However, the absence of the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player was immediately felt. The author of the double of the previous match did not hide to Richarlison that he missed Neymar. “I’m number 9, I need him to open spaces and I’m alone in front. “Unfortunately, today the ball did not go far in the front”.After the meeting, the Tottenham striker revealed. But according to him, the focus on Neymar’s absence does not take into account the opponent of the evening: Switzerland has one of the best defenses in Europe, it’s a very good team. »

For more than 80 minutes of play, the Brazilians struggled to overcome the Swiss defense. Very structured and in line with his coach Murat Yakin’s plan of tightening the screws on the defense and showing up as soon as possible, Nate sporadically caused problems for Brazil’s rear defence. In contrast, Tite’s men struggled to convert their possession into real opportunities. “Switzerland play a low game and they seem to tell you, ‘Make mistakes and I’ll take advantage of them.'”summed up the Brazilian coach, who was forced to change the flight plan after “read the game” opponents of the day.