Brazil squad gear up to face Costa Rica

After tying with Switzerland in their World Cup opener, the Brazilian seleção resumed their training routine ahead of the next clash, on Friday (Jun. 22), against Costa Rica. The athletes had practice early on Monday (18), in the main field of Brazil’s training center, in the Russian city of Sochi.

The players that started the game with Switzerland worked individually. A group did field activities, whereas others engaged in physical therapy and workout sessions.

Neymar, Thiago Silva, and Paulinho underwent recovery procedures. None of the three athletes is reason for concern, the Brazilian Football Confederation reported. Goalkeeper Alisson trained separately with goalkeeping coach Taffarel and his assistant Rogério Maia.

The substitutes, in turn, had ball training under the supervision of head coach Tite and his assistants. Before the field activities, Douglas Costa, Taison, Geromel, Filipe Luís, Fernandinho, Renato Augusto, Fagner, Marquinhos, Fred, Firmino, Ederson, and Cássio did muscle activation work at the gym.

In the field, the session focused on attack against defense in a small-sided game for about 45 minutes; next, finishing with goalkeepers Cássio and Ederson taking turns. At the end, Filipe Luís, Fagner, and Douglas Costa practiced penalty kicks.

The training session was open to the press. After the activities, team members were dismissed and are to report at the hotel early in the morning. In the afternoon, the squad are expected to hold another training session, but the press will only be allowed to watch the first 20 minutes. Brazil’s next fixture is slated for Friday at 9 am (Brasília time), in St. Petersburg.

Brazilian player Fred - Direitos reservados/Lucas Figueiredo/CBF