Seven Players From Felipão's Line-Up Face Problems

04/23/2014 - 10h50

In the beginning of this month, the Brazilian coaching staff travelled to Europe where, for more than a week, they watched some matches played by the athletes that will be called to defend the countries' team.

They also took the chance to observe potential rivals, like Germans and Spaniards.

The coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, however, was not there to observe only.

The coach accompanied by the technical coordinator, Carlos Alberto Parreira and the assistant coach Flávio Murtosa, used the tour to meet some of the players chosen to join the team and reassured them.

It is only 49 days left to the opening game and at least seven of the first eleven that Felipão hopes to see on the pitch in June 12, against Croatia, (in Itaquerão Sao Paulo), are going through some level of discomfort in their careers.

Some of them are dissatisfied for being a reserve or for been draft an unhoped position and others have personal issues. The coaching staff decided it was the appropriated moment to confirm their presence in the World Cup and relief the pre-draft tension.

According to CBF, that could even cause a decrease in their efficiency.

According to Felipão, the ideal team would be Júlio César; Daniel Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz and Marcelo; Luiz Gustavo, Paulinho, Oscar and Hulk; Neymar and Fred.

The only four players who are "comfortable" are Daniel Alves (even though his bad phase for Barcelona), Thiago Silva (has a fracture in his face and an unease about the Swedish striker Ibrahimovic), Hulk (who is playing in Russia, far from the media) and Oscar (who was a reserve in yesterday's Chelsea semi-final match for the Champions League).

The major concern is Neymar, who did not need to be drafted in advance because he is the Brazilian star.

It is not the injury in his left foot, which will stop him from playing and training for up to four weeks, that is the matter. The coaching staff thinks it might be good if he can rest before reporting for duty on May 26.

Last week, before the injury, Neymar played in a different position from the one he holds in the national team (lone striker) and faces some other complications, like the investigations around suspected irregularities in his transfer to Barcelona.

His emotional condition is a concern, and so is the bad use of the other players.

Júlio César has finally signed with a club, but he will play for a Canada team, in a weak, North American league.

Júlio, at least is playing frequently. There are some athletes who did not enter the pitch, like Paulinho, who is now getting back on track.

He was a Tottenham (ING) reserve during most part of the season, where he competes for a spot as a first midfielder, not second, like he used to do in Corinthians and how he does for the national team (see other examples above).

"Who criticizes them [Neymar and Paulinho]? Someone is interested in criticizing them. In my opinion, they are assets to their clubs. They not considered assets only by the people who want to criticize them", said Felipão last week, in an event held in Sao Paulo.

It is 50 days to the World Cup and the aim is to defend the group from criticism.

Translated by JULIANA CALDERARI

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