FIFA Confederations Cup 2013: Scolari brings back Paulinho

Paulinho of Brazil tangles with Javier Hernandez of Mexico during the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 Group A match between Brazil and Mexico at Castelao on June 19, 2013 in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Getty Images)

Brazil will welcome back defensive midfielder Paulinho as they stiffen the backbone of the side for Wednesday’s Confederations Cup semi-final in Belo Horizonte against South American champions Uruguay.

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari had suggested he would stick with the team which beat Italy to ensure a perfect record in the group stage as they look to win a third straight Confederations title.

But after Tuesday’s training session at the Mineirao stadium, Paulinho appears ready to go having missed the Italy win with an ankle injury.

Defender David Luiz is also set to start having been stretchered off against the Italians with a leg injury.

The Chelsea defender also suffered a broken nose against Mexico in Brazil’s previous game but has shaken off both injuries, allowing Brazil to line up with Julio Cesar in goal, a back quartet of Daniel Alves, Thiago Silva, Luiz and Marcelo, a midfield comprising Paulinho, Luiz Gustavo and Oscar and a strikeforce of Neymar, Fred and Hulk.

Brazil have not lost to Uruguay since Scolari’s first match in charge in his first spell at the helm, in 2001, shortly before he turned his first squad into world champions.

But although the Brazilians have won 32 encounters to their neighbours’ 19 with a further 19 drawn, the Uruguayans did win the biggest meeting of all, their legendary 2-1 “Maracanazo” win in the 1950 World Cup final in Rio.