Tite today announced his 24 man squad for June friendlies against Argentina and Australia in Melbourne. The Seleção will play a superclasico against Argentina on June 9th, followed by an exhibition game against Australia in the same stadium- Melbourne’s MCG- on June 13th.
With Brazil already qualified for the World Cup, Tite has taken the chance to rest some established players, look at some fringe players and reinstate some previously unfancied options. Willian and Philippe Coutinho are selected, while Chelsea defender David Luiz is called for the first time in Tite’s reign.
Alisson, Dani Alves, Marcelo, Roberto Firmino and Neymar are all spared. However, Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus is called with clubmate Fernandinho. Luiz’s recall is the biggest surprise, despite his excellent form for league champions Chelsea this season.
Squad in full; Goalkeepers: Diego Alves (Valencia), Weverton (Atletico Paranaense), Ederson (Benfica)
Defenders: Alex Sandro (Juventus), Fagner (Corinthians), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Rafinha (Bayern Munich), David Luiz (Chelsea), Gil (Shandong Luneng), Jemerson (Monaco), Rodrigo Caio (Sao Paulo), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain)
Midfielders: Fernandinho (Manchester City), Giuliano (Zenit St. Petersburg), Lucas Lima (Santos), Paulinho (Guangzhou Evergrande), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Renato Augusto (Beijing Guoan), Rodriguinho (Corinthians), Willian (Chelsea)
Forwards: Diego Souza (Sport), Douglas Costa (Bayern Munich), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Taison (Shakhtar Donetsk)