Isolated leader with 36 points and still undefeated after 14 matches, the Selection continues the testing and adjustment phase before the World Cup
In the first home match of the year of the Qatar World Cup, the Brazilian National Team faces Paraguay, at 21:30 (Brasília time), reaching the biggest unbeaten series in the South American Qualifiers: with 32 games without defeat. The match is valid for the 16th of the competition.
Isolated leader with 36 points and still undefeated after 14 matches, the Selection continues the testing and adjustment phase before the World Cup.
Coach Tite’s team will go to the field quite modified in relation to the match against Ecuador, last Thursday. There will be six changes in the lineup, most of them in the defensive sector.
In goal, Ederson will gain another chance in Alisson’s place. In defense, Daniel Alves replaces the suspended Emerson Royal, the same situation as Marquinhos in the place of Éder Militão. On the left, Alex Telles will replace Alex Sandro, who was diagnosed with Covid-19. In the middle, Fabinho and Lucas Paquetá, who were suspended in the last round, will take the places of Casemiro and Fred. Up front, Tite will keep the young attacking trio from the last three matches, with Raphinha, Vini Jr and Matheus Cunha.
On the Paraguayan side, coach Gustavo Schelotto will have to change the team that was defeated by Uruguay 1-0. He will not have defender Gustavo Gómez sent off. Thus, Balbuena should earn a chance and act alongside Junior Alonso. Another change is in the midfield: suspended, Matías Rojas gives way to Villasanti. Alan Benítez may also gain an opportunity in the sector.
The Paraguayans come from six games without a win. The last triumph was over Venezuela, in September of last year. It was also against Venezuela, still in 2020, the only victory of the team as a visitor in these Qualifiers.
