Fernandinho and Miranda, both 33, have been fine servants for the Selecao but, with a new era abound, their omissions caused few shockwaves.
Neither did those of most of the 10 World Cup 2018 squad members who were left behind. Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson was left out at his own request due to personal circumstances and the absences Paulinho, Pedro Geromel, Taison, Danilo and Cassio caused little debate.
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That Marcelo and Gabriel Jesus were not included, however, caused quite a stir. Both had played vital roles in Brazil’s evolution under Tite.
So why were they left out? Below, Brasil Global Tour take a closer look at the theory behind a new-look Selecao.
Just 13 of the 23 Tite took to Russia have retained their places in the squad for the first of what technical coordinator Edu stressed were three distinct phases ahead of World Cup 2022: The short, medium and long-term.
The first phase begins now and runs until the end of December, during which there are six Brasil Global Tour friendlies. The next phase then takes Brazil through to the Copa America 2019, before the long-term plan kicks off post-Copa as Brazil look to qualify and prepare for World Cup 2022.
“The first phase will be about giving opportunities, that is the priority,” Tite told a press conference. We can expect to see more new faces, then, in what will provide a rare opportunity for the coaching staff to test a number new players.
“Next year, it is about preparing for the Copa America,” Tite added, meaning March 2019’s Brasil Global Tour fixtures will provide a look at the core of the side that will contest the competition in June.
Few, if anyone, played a more important a role in Brazil’s rebirth under Tite than Gabriel Jesus. An untried teenager who had struggled desperately at centre-forward during the early parts of the Rio 2016 Olympics, the then Palmeiras starlet was a huge gamble when he was made Brazil’s no.9 for Tite’s debut in September 2016.
His pace and desire to run in behind defences saw the entire opposition retreat, which opened the field for Brazil’s inventive midfielders and, crucially, allowed the entre side to move some 20 yards up the field.
The Man City man became the Selecao’s youngest ever no.9 at a World Cup finals tournament, but failed to find the net in Russia as Brazil exited at the quarter-final stage to Belgium. With only Roberto Firmino – a nine-and-a-half who likes to play off the front-line – in reserve, questions were asked over whether they lacked a more traditional focal point.
“This is Pedro’s time, as he is playing well,” said Tite. “He has different characteristics than Firmino and Jesus – he is more of a penalty-box striker.” It remins likely that Gabriel Jesus will return for November’s Brasil Global Tour dates, however. Keen to explore his options, Tite and his staff see little point in calling up both Firmino and Jesus, preferring to include one at a time during this period of experimentation in order to free up spaces to test new players.