Santos pair Neymar & Rafael to start for Brazil against USA

Neymar & Rafael to start for Brazil against USA

May 30, 2012 3:45:00 PM

Lucas Moura and Jefferson make way for the two Peixe youngsters, who were ruled out of the previous clash against Denmark due to club commitments

Brazil coach Mano Menezes has confirmed that Santos duo Neymar and Rafael Cabral will both be on the pitch when the Selecao lock horns with the United States on Wednesday.

The youngsters were unavailable during Saturday's 3-1 victory over Denmark due to their involvement in Santos' Copa Libertadores triumph over Velez Sarsfield just two days previously, but met up with the rest of a youthful Brazil squad in the United States looking forward to the latest friendly.

As confirmed by Globoesporte following the South Americans' final training session on Tuesday, both Rafael and Neymar will feature from the beginning against Jurgen Klinsmann's team.

The goalkeeper has the chance to impress ahead of the Olympics in London as he replaces Botafogo's Jefferson between the posts, while Neymar comes in for Sao Paulo teenager Lucas and will form a three-man attack alongside Hulk and Leandro Damiao.

Menezes explained his decision to drop the 19-year-old in favour of the Peixe star, stating that it was a logical step given the forward's superior form.

"The tactical set-up is basically the same as against Denmark. The difference is that at the moment Neymar is playing better than Lucas, but still there are great expectations for Lucas," the coach told reporters.

"But we have to recognise that Neymar is on another level."

Probable Brazil team (4-3-3): Rafael; Danilo, Juan, Thiago Silva, Marcelo; Sandro, Romulo, Oscar; Neymar, Hulk, L. Damiao.

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