There were, once again, few surprises when Brazil coach Tite named his squad for November’s Brasil Global Tour double-header with Japan and England.
Every single one of the 25 players summoned had previously been called up by the boss, though some did resurface after absences as the likes of Diego Souza, Giuliano, Taison and Douglas Costa all returned.
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Below, Brasil Global Tour takes a closer look at a few of those set for reunions as they hope to force their way into Tite’s squad for World Cup 2018.
DIEGO SOUZA
First called up for the squad restricted to domestic-based players for the Game of Friendship against Colombia in January, Sport striker Diego Souza received heavy praise from coach Tite for his ability to lead the line.
Tite noted that big forward offers a different presence to that provided by first-choice striker Gabriel Jesus and that could be key to his chances of making it to Russia. He has since made three further appearances and particularly impressed with a brace on the Brasil Global Tour against Australia in June. With just one more squad prior to Brazil naming their final World Cup squad, November will be a vital month for Diego Souza.
GIULIANO
Still searching for midfield alternatives, Tite appears yet to have settled on his back-ups to his preferred central midfield duo of Paulinho and Renato Augusto. Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho has been trialled in place of Renato, but it seems the coach is still unconvinced.
Giuliano, who worked under Tite at Internacional, has been an intermittent presence since the coach’s arrival and the pacey, inventive attacking midfielder enjoyed a fine season with Zenit in Russia last term. A change of coach and tact at the club, however, brought about a surprise switch to Fenerbahce this past European summer and, keen to get his club career back on track, the 27-year-old is now targeting a role as a permanent midfield reserve. His ability to operate further forward could strengthen his case.
TAISON
Another from Tite’s time with Internacional, dynamic forward Taison remains a potential reserve both for the wide slots either side of the central striker and perhaps even as a substitute centre-forward. He has been called up on previous occasions by Tite and made four appearances under the current boss – all from the substitutes’ bench.
The Shakhtar Donetsk forward found the net in the 4-0 win over Australia in June and is certainly among the contenders to make it to Russia, with Tite – like all international coaches, who have so little time to work with their players – preferring to observe players with whom he is already familiar.
DOUGLAS COSTA
The biggest news this month was the return of Douglas Costa. The Juventus forward was a first-team regular under former Brazil coach Dunga, but a series of untimely injuries cost him a place at three major tournaments and saw him withdraw from the squad for both World Cup qualifiers and Brasil Global Tour dates.
The former Bayern Munich man may well have his last chance to impress this month and, with Tite rumoured to be ready to trial a number of reserves in Friday’s clash against Japan, he will certainly get his opportunity to stake his World Cup claim