Luiz Felipe Scolari is unlikely to change Brazil’s starting lineup for the World Cup opener despite struggling in their final warm-up matches.
Scolari said adjustments need to be made to the squad after lackluster performances in the warm-up matches, but he will probably keep the same lineup for the inaugural match against Croatia on Thursday in Sao Paulo.
Brazil didn’t play well in a 4-0 win over Panama on Tuesday and also struggled in the 1-0 victory over Serbia on Friday, when the crowd loudly jeered the team.
The coach was annoyed when asked about the poor performance of Chelsea playmaker Oscar and rejected bowing to public pressure, saying Scolari is “the one who decides who is going to play.”
Scolari has constantly said he will start the tournament with the same lineup that won last year’s Confederations Cup, but questions were raised recently after a few disappointing training sessions and struggles against Panama and Serbia.
Brazil had a bad start against Panama and only improved after a free kick goal by Neymar midway through the first half. On Friday, the team was loudly jeered by the nearly 70,000 fans who packed the Morumbi Stadium.
The biggest doubt is about midfielder Oscar, who was substituted by Chelsea teammate Willian on Friday. Willian also replaced Oscar in practice when the playmaker left the squad for the birth of his daughter earlier this week.
