Liam Brady and Richie Saidlier are confident that Brazil are able to cope without Neymar in the World Cup following his injury.
Neymar picked up a nasty looking ankle injury in the victory over Serbia that will keep him out of the group stages of the tournament, and it remains unclear what further participation lies ahead for him in the World Cup.
Prior to his injury, it was a disappointing performance from the forward, who came into the competition in great form for PSG. However, his injury record has once again caught up with him at a vital stage of his career.
The 30-year-old had missed vital games for PSG in the Champions League due to injuries, while he was absent for Brazil in their infamous 7-1 defeat to Germany in the 2014 World Cup.While there is no doubting his ability, Neymar has been expected to bring his performances to the level of Messi and Ronaldo, but it just hasn't happened in the way he had hoped.
Speaking on RTÉ ahead of Brazil's game against Switzerland, Liam Brady was critical of Neymar's performance against Switzerland, and the 2014 World Cup, where he suffered an injury.
🇧🇷 v 🇨🇭
🗣️'Neymar was just diving all over the place.'
Liam Brady and @RichieSadlier think that Brazil will cope just fine.
📺 Watch live now on @rte2 & @rteplayer: https://t.co/JYf06cJLAe
📱 Live updates: https://t.co/kfml3U8fBK#FIFAWorldCup #BRASUI #RTESoccer pic.twitter.com/EPUQfxFROS— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 28, 2022
"Neymar himself, if you remember was diving all over the place. I know his coach Tete said he needs more protection, and there were plenty of fouls on him in the first game. There's a great array of talent in the brazil team.
For me, they've been the team so far, both in attack and defence."
Richie Saidler also claims Brazil's options going forward mean Neymar's absence in this year's tournament is less concerning compared to previous years.
"There is a much more measured reaction to his injury this time, certainly compared to 2014. Back then it was panic and wining and grief, the whole country seemed to get fierce carried away.
It was because of the lack of decent alternatives, and I don't think that's the same with the Brazil team today. There is plenty of others they can bring into the team that can do a lot, that wasn't the case in 2014.
Despite their comments, Brazil could have done with Neymar today, as a late goal from Casemiro saw them defeat Switzerland 1-0 to make it two wins from two.
Switzerland were very strong defensively with Brazil struggling to break them down. Vinicius Jr thought he had given Brazil the lead in the second half, but was ruled offside in the build up.
In the end, it was Casemiro's powerful strike that saw them brake the deadlock and earn a deserved victory.
🇧🇷 1-0 🇨🇭
FULL TIME
The magisterial Casemiro supplied Brazil's second win of the tournament and their 85th World Cup win in their history.
📺 Watch live now on @rte2 & @rteplayer: https://t.co/JYf06cJLAe#FIFAWorldCup #BRASUI #RTESoccer pic.twitter.com/Dzqr6MzbJm— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 28, 2022
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