Geromel, Corinthians pair Cassio and Fagner in 23-man Brazil squad for Russia

Geromel, Corinthians pair Cassio and
Fagner in 23-man Brazil squad for
Russia

Gremio centre half Pedro Geromel and
Corinthians pair Cassio and Fagner were the
surprise inclusions in Brazil's 23-man World
Cup squad on Monday.
The three were the only home-based players
in a squad that will go to Russia as joint
favourites having lost just one game in 19
since Tite took over in 2016.
The only country to win the World Cup five
times, Brazil kick off their World Cup campaign
against Switzerland on June 17 before playing
Costa Rica and Serbia in Group E.
Gremio defender Geromel has just two caps
but was outstanding in leading the Porto
Alegre side to the Copa Libertadores last
season.
"Gremio have played at a high level for the
last two years," Tite told a packed room of
reporters at the Brazilian Football
Confederation. "Geromel has been great during
that whole period."
The former Gremio and Corinthians coach,
who was tasked with revamping the country’s
reputation after their 7-1 mauling by Germany
in the 2014 World Cup semi-final, said he had
not decided who will fill the void left by Dani
Alves. The defender was ruled out last week
with a knee injury.
He selected Fagner of Corinthians and Danilo
of Manchester City to replace the Paris St
Germain right back and said both were up to
the task.
"Of course we are going to miss him but other
paths and opportunities arise," Tite said. "I
have the same confidence in them as I had in
Dani."
Left back Filipe Luis, who recently returned to
the Atletico Madrid side after fracturing his
tibia, was selected as back up to Marcelo.
PSG striker Neymar, who was been out with
an injured foot since Feb. 25, was also named
in the squad as he is expected to be fit by
early June.