Football
ESPN staff 6y

Fred, Anderson Talisca head list of Brazil squad surprises for upcoming friendlies

Brazil manager Tite has announced his 25-man squad for upcoming World Cup warmups against Russia and Germany. 

Tite took the unusual step last month of revealing 15 players who are guaranteed a place in his World Cup squad for this summer's tournament in Russia.

However, The Brazil boss chose to call up two more players than usual on Monday as he hopes to get a final look at some who are on the fringes of the team, with Besiktas attacking midfielder Anderson Talisca, Real Sociedad striker Willian Jose, Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred and Valencia goalkeeper Neto set to get their chance to impress.

Juventus left-back Alex Sandro and Manchester City full-back Danilo were surprising omissions, however, as Atletico Madrid's Filipe Luis and Corinthians' Fagner joined Marcelo and Dani Alves, who are already going to Russia, at the full-back positions.

The Brazil federation was originally scheduled to reveal the squad two weeks ago, but pushed it back because the doctor for the national teams, Rodrigo Lasmar was en route to France to meet with Paris Saint-Germain about the status of superstar Neymar.

Neymar could be out up to eight weeks after recently having surgery for a crack in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot suffered during PSG's 3-0 win over Marseille last month, and thus was not included in Tite's team.

Brazil's friendlies against Russia (in Moscow) and Germany (in Berlin) are scheduled for March 23 and 27, respectively.

Brazil begin their campaign for a record-extending sixth World Cup triumph against Switzerland on June 17 in Rostov-on-Don. Host nation Russia open the tournament with their match against Saudi Arabia in Moscow three days earlier.

The full squad:

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Roma), Ederson (Manchester City), Neto (Valencia)

Full-backs: Daniel Alves (PSG), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Filipe Luís (Atletico Madrid), Fagner (Corinthians)

Centre-backs: Miranda (Inter Milan), Marquinhos (PSG), Thiago Silva (PSG), Geromel (Gremio), Rodrigo Caio (Sao Paulo)

Midfielders: Casemiro (Real Madrid), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Paulinho (Barcelona), Renato Augusto (Beijing Guoan), Fred (Shakhtar Donetsk), Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona), Willian (Chelsea), Anderson Talisca (Besiktas)

Forwards: Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Douglas Costa (Juventus), Willian Jose (Real Sociedad), Taison (Shakhtar Donetsk).

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