Japan vs Brazil: André Luiz replaces Rayan in lineup

André Luiz replaced Rayan in Brazil’s lineup against Japan. The Corinthians midfielder started alongside Andrey Santos and Bruno Guimarães, while Gabriel Bontempo was left out of the starting eleven.

Brazil began the friendly with Pedro Morisco; Wesley, Jair, Gabriel Magalhães and Carlos Augusto; Andrey Santos, Bruno Guimarães and André Luiz; Estêvão, Raphinha and Vini Júnior.

The change caused by Rayan’s absence

Rayan had been prepared for a role as the third midfielder but took a knock to his ankle in training on Friday, November 13. Ge reported that tests in Singapore showed swelling and that the forward would miss the friendly.

Before the team was confirmed, André Luiz and Gabriel Bontempo were competing for the place. Selecting André preserved the projected 4-3-3 shape without changing the other ten players in the latest expected lineup.

Confirmed Brazil lineup

UOL, Gazeta Esportiva and Lance all published the same eleven. Earlier lists showing Bontempo, or placing the two candidates in parentheses, therefore reflect only the projection stage.

The CBF squad announcement confirms that André Luiz and Bontempo were in the group, but it did not provide the starting team. The direct answer is: André Luiz filled the place opened by Rayan’s absence; Bontempo did not start.