R10 has played himself back into Menezes' plans.
The full squad is as follows;
Júlio César (Internazionale)
Jefferson (Botafogo)
Fábio (Cruzeiro)
Daniel Alves (Barcelona)
Danilo (Santos)
Adriano (Barcelona)
Marcelo (Real Madrid)
Lúcio (Internazionale)
Thiago Silva (Milan)
David Luiz (Chelsea)
Dedé (Vasco da Gama)
Lucas Leiva (Liverpool)
Elias (Atlético Madrid)
Ralf (Corinthians)
Luiz Gustavo (Bayern Munich)
Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos)
Lucas (São Paulo)
Fernandinho (Shakhtar Donetsk)
Ronaldinho Gaúcho (Flamengo)
Neymar (Santos)
Alexandre Pato (Milan)
Robinho (Milan)
Hulk (Porto)
Leandro Damião (Internacional)
Menezes finally appears to have bowed to common sense (or public pressure) regarding the selection of two players who enjoyed excellent seasons in Europe; Marcelo is included for the first time since a well-documented row with the Brazil coach earlier in the year, and Hulk receives a long-overdue call-up. Leandro Damião, who was inexplicably dropped following an impressive début against Scotland, is back in the squad at the expense of Fred. Elsewhere, André Santos has been dropped in the wake of his horror-show against Germany, whilst Maicon is missing through injury. Young utility player Danilo, meanwhile, makes the step up from the Brazil U20 side.
(Photo credit; Felipe Dana.)
Be interesting to see how Brazil line up against Ghana with Ramires also missing out. Will Ralf play as the Holding player giving Lucas the license to go forward like Ramires had or will Mano go for something different altogether, maybe a 4-3-3 now Hulk is in the squad. Whatever Mano does I hope it is a entertaining game as I can't wait :)
ReplyDeleteThe best squad Mano has selected so far. Still desperately missing Hernanes, and it's a huge shame that Michel Bastos is just not on anybody's radar. Don't know why Nilmar keeps getting left out either. But Hulk - as long as he gets playing time - should be a huge help, and I'm thrilled Andre Santos is out.
ReplyDeleteFrom a tactical perspective, the inclusion of Damiao might just be the most important, however. Brazil has really needed a true target man (which Pato is not) and Damiao should provide that in spades.
Fabulous blog, by the way.
Aaron, Black Matt; thanks for your comments.
ReplyDeleteYes, the midfield will be interesting... I wouldn't mind seeing Lucas Leiva and Fernandinho together, with a playmaker ahead of them. As long as Elias doesn't start, I'll be relatively happy.
As for Michel Bastos... I think he suffers from confused perceptions. Many people write him off as a poor left back (see Brazil in the World Cup), rather than seeing him as a talented winger.
Bastos' wing play against Kazan was brilliant this Champions League Qualifier, deserves a showing. Still don't understand the decision to call Ralf, or Elias, i don't think either are of the quality necessary.
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