5-star Selecao’s tricky Serbia test

24 November 2022, 04:00 AM

UPDATED 24 November 2022, 10:00 AM

After high-flying Argentina were humbled by Saudi Arabia, all eyes will be on their archrivals Brazil as the title aspirants begin their World Cup campaign against Serbia today. Selecao fans will hope for Neymar and company to keep their smiles intact and maintain their pre-tournament form. Photo: AFP

Brazil are keeping their cards close to their chest under the spotlight of being the odds-on favorites as they prepare to face Serbia in their World Cup Group G opener on Thursday.

The pressure is on as Brazil aim for a record-extending sixth title with a squad loaded with talent but full of young players, with 16 of them making their World Cup debut.

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A new generation of talented youngsters like Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Raphinha, Eder Militao, Bruno Guimaraes and Antony, among others, have emerged on the elite stage of European club football.

Paring the young guns with an in-form Neymar have made Brazil a juggernaut, winning 37 of the 50 games played since their 2018 World Cup quarter-finals loss to Belgium in Russia, while finishing 33 of those 50 matches with a clean sheet.

"We're an attacking team and having more players up front helps us because of our DNA," Raphinha told a news conference.

However, coach Tite is yet to disclose whether he will unleash Vinicius up front alongside Neymar, Richarlison and Raphinha or pair Fred with his Manchester United team mate Casemiro to strengthen the midfield against Serbia, who clinched an automatic berth in Qatar with a comeback 2-1 win over Portugal in their last Group A qualifying match.

Overall, Serbia won six games and drew two, and arrived at the World Cup full of confidence after finishing top of their Nations League group.

Although Serbia have never moved past the group stages at the World Cup since the breakup of Yugoslavia, Serbia defender Stefan Mitrovic believes coach Dragan Stojkovic has instilled the right mentality for the team to reach the knockout stages.

"With his [coach Stojkovic] experience, he can show us how to be successful in this tournament," Mitrovic said on Sunday.

Both Mitrovic and goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic admitted the South Americans are one of the tournament favourites, but they had no qualms about playing the five-times champions so early.

"Everyone knows their history, their mentality and the quality of the players... But I think it's excellent that we play Brazil immediately," Milinkovic-Savic said.