Brazil coach Tite will take advantage of the absence of star playmaker Neymar and midfielder Casemiro in the World Cup qualifier against Venezuela on Thursday to experiment with his lineup. Neymar is suspended due to two yellow cards in the previous game against Peru, while Casemiro is sidelined with a tooth infection.

The starting lineup for Brazil includes Alisson, Danilo, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Guilheme Arana, Fabinho, Gerson, Everton Ribeiro, Lucas Paquete, Gabriel Jesus, and Gabriel Barbosa. Tite, usually secretive about his starting XI, revealed the lineup on Tuesday, signaling his confidence in Brazil’s lead in South American qualifying to try new players and formations.

“Our campaign allows us to open opportunities. It wasn’t possible in the campaign for the 2018 World Cup. We are trying to grow and have players with different characteristics. Gerson, for example, is different from Fred. It is all about how you assemble,” explained Tite in a news conference.

Gerson, a more dynamic box-to-box player, is expected to be tested in the upcoming matches against Venezuela, Colombia, and Uruguay. Tite emphasized the importance of balance and the need to test players capable of multiple functions.

The focus will be on how Brazil performs without Neymar, with Tite opting for Gabriel Barbosa up front, often used as a target man at Flamengo. This may result in more attacking freedom for right-back Danilo and left-back Arana. Paquete and Everton Ribeiro might also find themselves moving up front to provide support.

Tite’s assistant, Cesar Sampaio, highlighted the opportunity to trial Fabinho, who couldn’t be used in the recent Copa America. With Casemiro unavailable, this presents a chance to explore alternatives in a crucial position.

Venezuela, struggling with only four points in World Cup qualifying, will face challenges with several players unavailable due to injuries and COVID-19 protocols. The match against Venezuela provides Brazil with a platform to assess different players and strategies, capitalizing on their comfortable lead in the qualifying campaign.