Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Brazil could line up for Thursday’s CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier against Colombia.
Brazil interim boss Fernando Diniz is set to make a late call on the fitness of Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus before naming his side to face Colombia in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying on Thursday.
Jesus has surprisingly been named in Brazil’s 24-man squad and is expected to fly to South America to link up with the national team despite missing Arsenal’s last five games in all competitions with a muscle injury.
Tensions appear to have grown between Brazil and Arsenal over the status of Jesus’s condition, with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta recently stating that the striker is “far from” ready to train let alone play for either his club or the national team, and it remains to be seen whether he will be involved against Colombia at Estadio Metropolitano.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Ederson has withdrawn from the squad due a foot injury, and Diniz is also having to cope without injured quartet Neymar, Casemiro, Richarlison and Eder Militao – seven uncapped players have subsequently been called up to the senior setup.
Seventeen-year-old Palmeiras forward Endrick, who will join Real Madrid in the summer of 2024, is in contention to make his senior debut, while Brighton & Hove Albion’s Joao Pedro, Atletico Mineiro’s Paulinho and Porto’s Pepe are also in contention to make their first appearance, although Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Raphinha and Gabriel Martinelli are all seemingly ahead of them at present in the pecking order.
The absence of Ederson, who started each of Brazil’s previous six internationals, is set to see Liverpool’s Alisson Becker return between the sticks, while Emerson Royal is expected to start at right-back, potentially joining Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes and Carlos Augusto in the back four.
Douglas Luiz, Joelinton and in-demand Fluminense star Andre are all set to battle for a start in centre-midfield alongside Bruno Guimaraes, as will Raphael Veiga who could be deployed in the number 10 role in the absence of Neymar.
Brazil possible starting lineup: Alisson; Emerson, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Augusto; Guimaraes, Andre, Joelinton; Rodrygo, Pedro, Vinicius Jr
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