Brazil's status as favourites to lift the World Cup supports the idea that there isn't a single team at this tournament capable of stopping them. However, even should that be the case, Tite is quickly finding that other major obstacles to glory also exist: namely, injuries.
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The Selecao look to traverse a quarterfinal matchup against Croatia, with the 2018 finalists looking to make another run themselves.
Both Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles were ruled out of the remainder of the competition last week, further weakening what had been billed as the strongest squad in Qatar.
Fortunately, there was better news on Danilo and Neymar, who were back into contention for the last-16 clash with South Korea. Neymar got the start and went 80 spectacular minutes, and Danilo also managed 72 minutes in a 4-1 romp.
Here, we take a look at how Brazil could line up against Croatia, with Tite having plenty to ponder.
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Brazil lineup vs. Croatia
(4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Alisson (GK) — 14. Militao, 4. Marquinhos, 3. Silva, 2. Danilo — 7. Paqueta, 5. Casemiro — 11. Raphinha, 10. Neymar, 20. Vinicius — 9. Richarlison.
- Injured: Alex Sandro, Alex Telles, Gabriel Jesus
- Suspended: none
Brazil have a number of injuries to worry about. Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles are out of the tournament after suffering injuries in the final group-stage game against Cameroon.
Alex Sandro was hoping to shake off his hip injury after missing the Round of 16 win over South Korea, with Eder Militao having filled in at right-back. Danilo and Neymar returned for that game following ankle injuries and are part of an unchanged XI.
Militao is on a yellow card and would be suspended for the semifinal with another booking, as are Fred and Bruno Guimaraes.
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Brazil World Cup squad
Here are the 26 names on Brazil's current World Cup squad in Qatar:
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| Position | No. | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | 1 | Alisson | Liverpool (ENG) | 30 | 56 |
| GK | 23 | Ederson | Manchester City (ENG) | 29 | 18 |
| GK | 12 | Weverton | Palmeiras (BRA) | 34 | 11 |
| DEF | 4 | Marquinhos | PSG (FRA) | 28 | 70 |
| DEF | 14 | Eder Militao | Real Madrid (SPA) | 24 | 23 |
| DEF | 3 | Thiago Silva | Chelsea (ENG) | 38 | 108 |
| DEF | 2 | Danilo | Juventus (ITA) | 24 | 15 |
| DEF | 16 | Alex Telles | Sevilla (SPA) | 29 | 7 |
| DEF | 13 | Dani Alves | Pumas UNAM (MEX) | 39 | 125 |
| DEF | 6 | Alex Sandro | Juventus (ITA) | 31 | 37 |
| DEF | 24 | Bremer | Juventus (ITA) | 25 | 1 |
| MID | 15 | Fabinho | Liverpool (ENG) | 28 | 28 |
| MID | 5 | Casemiro | Manchester United (ENG) | 30 | 64 |
| MID | 17 | Bruno Guimaraes | Newcastle United (ENG) | 24 | 8 |
| MID | 8 | Fred | Manchester United (ENG) | 29 | 27 |
| MID | 7 | Lucas Paqueta | West Ham (ENG) | 25 | 34 |
| MID | 22 | Everton Ribeiro | Flamengo (BRA) | 33 | 22 |
| FWD | 26 | Gabriel Martinelli | Arsenal (ENG) | 21 | 3 |
| FWD | 20 | Vinicius Jr. | Real Madrid (SPA) | 22 | 15 |
| FWD | 10 | Neymar | PSG (FRA) | 30 | 120 |
| FWD | 19 | Antony | Manchester United (ENG) | 22 | 10 |
| FWD | 21 | Rodrygo | Real Madrid (SPA) | 21 | 6 |
| FWD | 11 | Raphinha | Barcelona (SPA) | 25 | 10 |
| FWD | 9 | Richarlison | Tottenham (ENG) | 25 | 37 |
| FWD | 25 | Pedro | Flamengo (BRA) | 25 | 2 |
| FWD | 18 | Gabriel Jesus | Arsenal (ENG) | 25 | 56 |