Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari looks set to omit Real Madrid midfielder Kaká from his starting lineup to face Italy on Thursday, with the former World Player of the Year training among the squad’s reserves on Tuesday morning.
The Madrid man’s absence is not the only surprise expected on Thursday, with Atlético Madrid’s Filipe Luis also lining up at left-back ahead of Marcelo in training. Hulk is expected to come into the forward line, while Grêmio’s Fernando is set to start in midfield.
Both Diego Costa and David Luiz, who had been injury doubts, look set to appear in the tie having overcome their problems to take full part in the training session.
Later in the session, the 2002 World Cup winning manager also trialled a 3-5-2 setup which reports suggest could be utilised in the second half of the tie.
Before an injury to David Luiz, Scolari had hoped to test the alternative system against England at Wembley last month
Probable Brazil XI: Julio César, Daniel Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Filipe Luís; Fernando, Luiz Gustavo, Oscar; Hulk, Neymar, Fred.
3-5-2 Alternative XI: Júlio César; David Luiz, Dante, Thiago Silva; Daniel Alves, Fernando, Hernanes, Kaká, Marcelo; Neymar, Diego Costa.
