FIFA World Cup: Brazil, England sweat over injuries ahead of Round of 16 games
Brazil and England are sweating over key injury concerns ahead of their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clashes. Both Carlo Ancelotti and Thomas Tuchel are readying for tough challenges.
The FIFA World Cup knockout stage leaves little room for error, and Brazil and England are heading into their respective Round of 16 clashes with injury concerns surrounding two of their most important players.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has received a timely boost with winger Raphinha returning to training, but the Barcelona star is unlikely to start against Norway. England, meanwhile, are still waiting on the fitness of Reece James ahead of Sunday's clash against co-hosts Mexico, with Thomas Tuchel admitting the defender faces a race against time to even make the bench.
For Brazil, Raphinha's return comes after a frustrating two-week spell on the sidelines following the hamstring injury he suffered against Haiti during the group stage. While the winger has recovered quicker than expected, Ancelotti made it clear that the forward is not yet ready to play a full match.
"Raphinha is progressing very well. He is still not at 100%, but he is available to be on the bench and to be able to play a few minutes or be useful at certain moments," Ancelotti said on Saturday.
"He recovered very well and very quickly. We are very happy with this because Raphinha is a very, very important player for the team."
BRAZIL STRUGGLING TO FIND PAQUETA REPLACEMENT
While Raphinha's return gives Brazil another attacking option on the right side alongside Ryan and Endrick, Ancelotti has a fresh midfield headache after Lucas Paqueta was ruled out with a hamstring strain sustained in the win over Japan.
The veteran Italian admitted there is no like-for-like replacement for the West Ham midfielder.
"We don't have a player in the squad with Lucas Paqueta's quality, so we have to replace him with another player," Ancelotti said.
"The characteristics are different. Danilo is different from Gabriel, who is different from Matheus Cunha and Ederson. I will choose the player based on our game plan."
Brazil also have another major challenge waiting in the form of Norway captain Erling Haaland, who has been one of the standout forwards of the tournament.
"We are focused on preparing well for the match, obviously including Haaland's characteristics, which we must take into account because he is a very, very dangerous forward," Ancelotti said.
Midfielder Bruno Guimaraes echoed those concerns, insisting Brazil's priority would be to cut off the supply to the Manchester City striker.
"We have to try to prevent the ball from reaching him," Guimaraes said. "With just one ball he can decide a match."
ENGLAND WAIT ON REECE JAMES
England's injury concerns are centred around Reece James, whose persistent hamstring problem has already forced him to miss the victories over Panama and DR Congo.
The Chelsea defender has not completed a full training session since picking up the injury during England's goalless draw against Ghana in the group stage, leaving Tuchel uncertain about his availability against Mexico.
"Reece can maybe make it onto the bench. He needs a last assessment from the doctors and medical opinion if this makes sense," Tuchel said.
There was better news elsewhere for England. Jarell Quansah has recovered from the ankle injury that ruled him out of the Round of 32 and is available for selection after returning to full training.
"You saw that Jarell trained, Jarell trained fully, is fully available," Tuchel confirmed.
Midfielder Declan Rice has also been managing a hamstring issue but is expected to start in Mexico City.
With both Brazil and England chasing quarter-final places, the fitness of key players could prove decisive. Brazil are hopeful Raphinha can provide an impact off the bench against a dangerous Norway side, while England will wait until the final medical assessment before deciding whether James can feature against Mexico.
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The FIFA World Cup knockout stage leaves little room for error, and Brazil and England are heading into their respective Round of 16 clashes with injury concerns surrounding two of their most important players.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has received a timely boost with winger Raphinha returning to training, but the Barcelona star is unlikely to start against Norway. England, meanwhile, are still waiting on the fitness of Reece James ahead of Sunday's clash against co-hosts Mexico, with Thomas Tuchel admitting the defender faces a race against time to even make the bench.
For Brazil, Raphinha's return comes after a frustrating two-week spell on the sidelines following the hamstring injury he suffered against Haiti during the group stage. While the winger has recovered quicker than expected, Ancelotti made it clear that the forward is not yet ready to play a full match.
"Raphinha is progressing very well. He is still not at 100%, but he is available to be on the bench and to be able to play a few minutes or be useful at certain moments," Ancelotti said on Saturday.
"He recovered very well and very quickly. We are very happy with this because Raphinha is a very, very important player for the team."
BRAZIL STRUGGLING TO FIND PAQUETA REPLACEMENT
While Raphinha's return gives Brazil another attacking option on the right side alongside Ryan and Endrick, Ancelotti has a fresh midfield headache after Lucas Paqueta was ruled out with a hamstring strain sustained in the win over Japan.
The veteran Italian admitted there is no like-for-like replacement for the West Ham midfielder.
"We don't have a player in the squad with Lucas Paqueta's quality, so we have to replace him with another player," Ancelotti said.
"The characteristics are different. Danilo is different from Gabriel, who is different from Matheus Cunha and Ederson. I will choose the player based on our game plan."
Brazil also have another major challenge waiting in the form of Norway captain Erling Haaland, who has been one of the standout forwards of the tournament.
"We are focused on preparing well for the match, obviously including Haaland's characteristics, which we must take into account because he is a very, very dangerous forward," Ancelotti said.
Midfielder Bruno Guimaraes echoed those concerns, insisting Brazil's priority would be to cut off the supply to the Manchester City striker.
"We have to try to prevent the ball from reaching him," Guimaraes said. "With just one ball he can decide a match."
ENGLAND WAIT ON REECE JAMES
England's injury concerns are centred around Reece James, whose persistent hamstring problem has already forced him to miss the victories over Panama and DR Congo.
The Chelsea defender has not completed a full training session since picking up the injury during England's goalless draw against Ghana in the group stage, leaving Tuchel uncertain about his availability against Mexico.
"Reece can maybe make it onto the bench. He needs a last assessment from the doctors and medical opinion if this makes sense," Tuchel said.
There was better news elsewhere for England. Jarell Quansah has recovered from the ankle injury that ruled him out of the Round of 32 and is available for selection after returning to full training.
"You saw that Jarell trained, Jarell trained fully, is fully available," Tuchel confirmed.
Midfielder Declan Rice has also been managing a hamstring issue but is expected to start in Mexico City.
With both Brazil and England chasing quarter-final places, the fitness of key players could prove decisive. Brazil are hopeful Raphinha can provide an impact off the bench against a dangerous Norway side, while England will wait until the final medical assessment before deciding whether James can feature against Mexico.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
