Brazil v Morocco: likely line-ups and absentees for World Cup opener | OneFootball

Brazil struggle without Neymar, while Morocco have two absences

Brazil begin their World Cup campaign this Saturday (13) at 7pm (Brasília time). The Seleção face Morocco in New Jersey, in a match that marks both teams’ debut at the tournament. With on-site coverage and direct access to the day-to-day preparation, Coluna do Fla breaks down Brazil’s likely lineup, the absences, and the full picture ahead of this decisive clash.

WHAT IS BRAZIL’S LIKELY LINEUP?

Carlo Ancelotti kept the core of his training sessions unchanged throughout the week in New Jersey. Brazil are likely to take the field with: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães and Alex Sandro; Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães and Lucas Paquetá; Raphinha, Vini Junior and Matheus Cunha.

It is worth noting that the Coluna do Fla reporting team is following everything from the national team’s training center. Although the coach has tested variations such as Ibañez and Douglas Santos as a physical precaution, the lineup mentioned above has seen more use in the main sessions.

In this tactical setup, Flamengo players Alex Sandro and Lucas Paquetá play key roles in the structure put together by the Italian. In addition, the coaching staff confirmed the absence of Neymar, who remains in the medical department and will miss the team’s opener.

After a turbulent cycle in the qualifiers and the Copa América, coach Carlo Ancelotti has brought stability. As a result, the yellow-and-green side picked up positive results in recent friendlies against Panama and Egypt.

HOW DOES THE MOROCCAN NATIONAL TEAM ARRIVE?

Morocco, semifinalists in the last World Cup, are going through a period of renewal under Mohamed Ouahbi, who has been in charge since March. The ‘Atlas Lions’ come into the match with important absences, such as center-back Nayef Aguerd and forward Abde Ezzalzouli, both ruled out through injury. On the other hand, full-back Mazraoui has been cleared after a shoulder scare.

Morocco’s likely lineup is: Bono; Hakimi, Diop, Riad and Mazraoui; Bouaddi and El Aynaoui; Brahim Díaz, Ounahi and Sbaï (Talbi); Saibari.

FLAMENGO WELL REPRESENTED?

The presence of Flamengo players in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad reinforces the weight of the red-and-black club’s brand within the national team. The Coluna do Fla reporting team, which stays in direct touch with day-to-day life at Ninho do Urubu, points out that the called-up players are fully focused on the opener.

That way, with Alex Sandro taking over at left-back and Paquetá making up part of the attacking unit, the expectation is that these players’ experience in high-stakes club matches will help maintain concentration throughout the ninety minutes against the Moroccans.

WHERE TO WATCH BRAZIL’S WORLD CUP OPENER?

The match will be broadcast by TV Globo and SBT on free-to-air television, and by CazéTV on YouTube. As we do every day at Ninho do Urubu, Coluna do Fla brings all the details of the opener with the journalistic eye of those who follow Flamengo players’ routines on and off the pitch, now with Brazil looking for their first three points.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.