SAO PAULO (AP) – Luiz Felipe Scolari is unlikely to change Brazil’s starting line-up for the World Cup opener despite struggling in theirs final warm-up matches.
Scolari said adjustments need to be made to the squad after lacklustre performances in the warm-up matches, but he will probably keep the same line-up for the inaugural match against Croatia tomorrow in Sao Paulo.
Brazil didn’t play well in a 4-0 win over Panama last Tuesday and also struggled in the 1-0 victory over Serbia last Friday, when the crowd loudly jeered the team.
The coach was annoyed when asked about the poor performance of Chelsea playmaker Oscar and rejected bowing to public pressure, saying Scolari is “the one who decides who is going to play”.
Scolari has constantly said he will start the tournament with the same line-up that won last year’s Confederations Cup, but questions were raised recently after a few disappointing training sessions and struggles against Panama and Serbia.
Brazil had a bad start against Panama and only improved after a free kick goal by Neymar midway through the first half. On Friday, the team was loudly jeered by the nearly 70 000 fans who packed the Morumbi Stadium.
The biggest doubt is about midfielder Oscar, who was substituted by Chelsea teammate Willian on Friday. Willian also replaced Oscar in practice when the playmaker left the squad for the birth of his daughter earlier this week.
After being asked about a possible change in the team because of Oscar’s lacklustre performance against Serbia, Scolari abruptly interrupted a reporter to say he wasn’t going to be affected by the opinions of outsiders. Oscar has also been dropped several times this season by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho after below-par performances.
“I’m the one who decides who is going to play.” Scolari said. “I don’t care who says that he is not playing well. I decide who is going to play, that’s what I’m paid for.”
