Brazil Copa America Centenario Predicted Lineup: Probable Starting 11 for the Selecao
The long club football season has just finished, but there is no reason for football fans to despair as the Copa America Centenario is just days away. Brazil is one of the traditional football superpowers, but they have seen their dominance wane in the recent past. With Neymar slated to play in the Olympics instead of the Copa America, Brazil will have a tough task at hand to win this prestigious tournament.
We take a look at the 23 man squad and pick the probable starting 11 for the Selecao at the Copa America Centenario. Here is the 23 man squad for Brazil:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Alisson (Internacional, BRA), Diego Alves (Valencia, ESP), Marcelo Grohe (Gremio, BRA)
DEFENDERS (8): Dani Alves (Barcelona, ESP), Rodrigo Caio (São Paulo, BRA), Fabinho (Monaco, FRA), Gil (Shandong Luneng, CHN), Filípe Luís (Atlético Madrid, ESP), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), Miranda (Inter Milan, ITA), Douglas (Atlético Mineiro, BRA)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Renato Augusto (Beijing Guoan, CHN), Casemiro (Real Madrid, ESP), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool, ENG), Elias (Corinthians, BRA), Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg, GER), Kaka (Orlando City SC), Lucas Lima (Santos, BRA), Lucas Moura (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), Willian (Chelsea, ENG)
FORWARDS (3): Gabriel (Santos, BRA), Hulk (Zenit St. Petersburg, RUS), Jonas (Benfica, POR)
Goalkeeper – Diego Alves
Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves will most probably be handed the shot stopping duties for the Selecao at the Copa America. The experienced goalkeeper has had plenty of exposure at the top level having made more than 200 appearances for Valencia and Almeria in the La Liga.
The 30-year old has only had 8 senior caps for Brazil so far, but in the absence of Julio Cesar, he will be looking to make his mark for the national team. Alves is renowned for his shot stopping skills and is calm and composed while dealing with crosses.
An expert at saving penalties, Alves has saved 16 out of the 37 penalties taken against him in La Liga. Dunga will be hoping that the Valencia goalkeeper replicates his club form at the international level.