WORLD CUP: Balanced Brazil reduces dependence on Neymar

[ASFN Admin]

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SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil is shaking off the embarrassment of losing 7-1 to Germany in its home World Cup. Since Tite took over as coach in 2016, the five-time world champions have become a winning machine again and were the first to qualify for Russia. Neymar, who missed the Germany humiliation through injury, is now racing to recover from a broken foot to make the trip to Russia. But there isn't such a reliance now on the world's most expensive player. In six games without Neymar, Brazil still won four times, including a friendly against Germany in Berlin in March. "He will be missed by any team," defender Thiago Silva said, "but not having him sometimes helps us consolidate the style we want."

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