Hosts Brazil overwhelmed Venezuela 3-0 in the opening match of Copa America 2021 to start their title defence on a rousing note. But head coach Tie has hinted he'll continue searching for his ideal strike force in the game against Peru. (More Football News)
Tite tested Everton Ribeiro, Everton and Gabriel Barbosa up front at practice instead of Lucas Paqueta, Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus, who started in Brazil's 3-0 win over Venezuela. Roberto Firmino, who was on the bench against Venezuela, didn't participate in the practice game at the time while the Brazilian football confederation broadcast training to the media. The coach also tried a change in defense with Thiago Silva replacing Marquinhos as Eder Militao's partner and a defensive midfield duo with Fabinho joining Fred in place of Casemiro.
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Tite has said the 20 days of Copa America will be used to test some things, with an eye the World Cup in Qatar next year. He and his players publicly said they were against the Copa America taking place in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic but would always answer the call for national selection.
Midfielder Fred seemed to disagree with his boss, saying Brazil's national team is already in good shape for Qatar.
“We are a great team, we have great players. The coach and the coaching staff are doing great work. If the World Cup started today Brazil would be ready,” he told a news conference. “At this Copa America coach Tite can give chances in the team, that's important. He always talks about it, about us being ready when the opportunity comes."
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Two years ago, Brazil comfortably beat Peru 3-1 in the 2019 Copa America final. The Peruvians then counted on striker Paolo Guerrero, who will not be at the match in Rio. Peru were just coming off their first World Cup appearance in decades. Now the scenario is totally different, with Ricardo Gareca's team in the last position in South American World Cup qualifiers.
Copa America is once again being played in Brazil, despite alarming COVID-19 figures, after Colombia and Argentina were dropped as tournament co-hosts.
Peru had their first practice session in Brazil amid fears of contagion in the squad. On Monday, fitness coach Nestor Bonillo tested positive in Lima for the coronavirus. He did not travel to Brazil.
It was not clear whether he was counted by Brazil's health ministry as one of the 52 confirmed cases related to the tournament. Gareca has not confirmed his starting lineup to face Brazil.
Match and telecast details
Match: Copa America 2021, Group B match between Brazil and Peru
Date: June 18 (Friday), 2021
Time: 5:30 AM IST
Venue: Estadio Olimpico Nilton Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
TV Channels: Sony Sports Network
Live Streaming: SonyLIV
Squads
Brazil: Goalkeepers - Alisson, Ederson, Weverton; Defenders - Emerson, Danilo, Alex Sandro, Renan Lodi, Eder Militao, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Felipe; Midfielders - Casemiro, Douglas Luiz, Everton Ribeiro, Fabinho, Fred, Lucas Paqueta; Forwards - Everton, Roberto Firmino, Gabriel Barbosa, Gabriel Jesus, Neymar, Richarlison, Vinicius Junior
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Peru: Goalkeepers - Renato Solis, Jose Carvallo, Pedro Gallese; Defenders - Luis Abram, Luis Advincula, Miguel Araujo, Alexander Callens, Aldo Corzo, Marcos Lopez, Jhilmar Lora, Christian Ramos, Anderson Santamaria, Miguel Trauco; Midfielders - Pedro Aquino, Christian Cueva, Martin Tavara, Sergio Pea, Edison Flores, Christopher Gonzales, Yoshimar Yotun; Forwards - Luis Ibrico, Andre Carrillo, Paolo Guerrero, Gianluca Lapadula, Alex Valera, Raul Ruidiaz.
