SAO PAULO — Brazil and Argentina have already secured their direct spots at next year’s World Cup, but are approaching Qatar very differently.
Brazil has tested — and will continue to test — several players for nearly all positions, even Neymar’s, while dominated the South American qualifying competition.
Coach Tite is trying to find variations that make his team less predictable against top rivals, as many critics say happened in the 2018 World Cup quarterfinal elimination against Belgium, according to AP.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is giving confidence to a group of frequent starters who helped Lionel Messi win the Copa America in July. The Argentines are hoping players like Rodrigo de Paul, Leandro Paredes and Giovani Lo Celso will bring the support 34-year-old Messi needs to lead them to a World Cup title.
Both approaches have been working. Argentina held Brazil to a 0-0 draw at home on Tuesday and secured its spot in Qatar when Chile lost 2-0 to third-place Ecuador. Brazil had already taken the first of South America’s four direct entries for the World Cup.
Tite has been experimenting with different combinations since losing the Copa America final to Argentina at the Maracana Stadium. Though much celebrated by the Argentines, as it should be, it had little impact on the Seleção as a whole. But it weighed heavily on individuals.
That was the case of left-back Renan Lodi, defensive midfielder Douglas Luiz and striker Everton, whose absences opened room for other players. Since qualifying rounds in September, Brazil has found potential new starters and also reliable players to add to the depth of its squad.
Winger Raphinha and defender Eder Militão appear to finish the year as key players, replacing Richarlison and Thiago Silva. Midfielder Fabinho proved to be a contender for when Casemiro is out. Striker Vinicius Jr showed a Neymar-esque flair in the 0-0 draw with Argentina, when he replaced the injured star.
Tite has also found new options such as Antony and Matheus Cunha, who have shown the stamina to be in the group if needed.
Richarlison, Brazil’s top goal scorer in the gold medal run at the Tokyo Olympics, and Roberto Firmino, until recently one of team’s regular starters, are now waiting for another chance. Gabriel Jesus, who has been benched, appears to be next.
