Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Switzerland did not only cost them the points but also cost them the fitness of several top stars that may miss the next match or not be fit to take part in the entire 90.
One most notable absentee from training due to fitness concerns is the world’s most expensive player Neymar whom PSG acquired from Barcelona the previous summer.
The dazzling 26-year-old was on the receiving end of several on-pitch assaults from Swiss stars as they desperately tried to neutralize his effectiveness during the proceedings.
They quite managed to make sure the number of shots he had on target was very limited but their gain directly translates to the Samba Boys’ loss as he could possibly miss the next game against Costa Rica on Friday.
The PSG superstar is not the only one to have been battered by the Swiss players as the likes of captain Marcelo, Manchester City’s surprise package Gabriel Jesus and PSG captain Thiago Silva all got knocks in the match and had to train on their own as the team sweats on their fitness.
Neymar lamented the constant fouling by the Swiss players and requested for protection in the coming matches.
“All I have to do is play football, or try to do it. It is for the referee to see it. I guess that will be normal, we have to pay attention to it, but that’s something normal in football,” said Neymar after their 1-1 draw with Switzerland.
Brazil will be looking to win the trophy before the first time since beating Germany in the final of the 2002 edition.
They hosted the competition four years ago and did well to reach the semis before being taught footballing lessons by an excellent German side.
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