Two years ago, 23 players were chosen to represent Brazil as they hosted the World Cup. At Copa America Centenario, only four of them remain.
Julio Cesar, Dante, David Luiz, Marcelo, Maicon, Fernandinho, Oscar, Bernard, Fred: all gone. If Brazil are trying to forget their semi-final humiliation by Germany – one of the Selecao’s most disastrous defeats ever – then they’re really not taking any chances, culling nine of the players who started that day. Thiago Silva, Paulinho and Ramires are out as well, joined by seven other cast-offs, as manager Dunga attempts to inject new life into the team.
And still, Brazil go into Copa America Centenario needing to convince their many critics. Last year’s Copa brought an early exit to Paraguay (beaten 6-1 by Argentina in the next…
