Liverpool, June 2: Brazil will keep a close eye on the fitness of star striker Neymar when the World Cup contenders face Croatia in a friendly at Anfield, Sunday.
Neymar, who scored four goals in the 2014 World Cup, has not played any form of football since February after breaking his foot. The 26-year-old Paris Saint Germain ace sat out training Thursday as a precaution. But his Brazil teammate Fernandinho has given a positive assessment of Neymar’s condition just two weeks before the start of the World Cup, June 14.
Neymar could play some part as a substitute at Anfield, but Selecao boss Tite is unlikely to take any unnecessary risks, with their opening World Cup fixture against Switzerland looming June 17. That said Neymar must surely have some game-time, with a friendly against Austria in Vienna, June 10 serving as Brazil’s other warm-up fixture.
Brazil, five-time World Champions, have spent the week training at Tottenham ahead of their opening World Cup warm-up fixture. The match with Croatia gives the Liverpool crowd the opportunity to see former Reds star Philippe Coutinho. Brazil forward Coutinho left Liverpool for Barcelona in January, while his international colleague Roberto Firmino will also be hoping to feature on his home club ground.
Brazil have an injury doubt over Renato Augusto and he is likely to miss Sunday’s fixture due to a right knee issue. But Brazil’s squad has had a relaxed feel to it this week ahead of the more serious work.
There is a sense of wishing to right wrongs of the past, with the 7-1 semifinal defeat to Germany at their home World Cup four years ago still weighing heavily on their minds. Yet Brazil have always been regarded as the most watchable team in world football and intend to carry on their role as great entertainers, win, lose or draw in Russia.
