Premier League stars Willian and Philippe Coutinho included in Brazil squad for Copa America as Roberto Firmino misses out
- Willian and Philippe Coutinho will have short breaks before Copa America
- But Liverpool midfielder Roberto Firmino has been overlooked by Dunga
- Brazil will go in search of their first Copa America success since 2007
- Casemiro and Douglas Costa are included among the midfield options
Brazil have named their 23-man squad for this summer’s Copa America in the United States with Premier League stars Willian and Philippe Coutinho included, but there is no space for Roberto Firmino.
Brazil manager Dunga has opted for alternatives to the Liverpool creative midfielder, while Neymar has been omitted after it was confirmed last month that he will play at the Olympic Games in Rio.
Elsewhere, Bayern Munich forward Douglas Costa has made the cut, alongside Barcelona duo Dani Alves and Rafinha, while former Chelsea full-back Filipe Luis is another defensive option at this summer’s special edition to be held on the 100th anniversary of the first tournament.
Chelsea midfielder Willian (right) has enjoyed a fine season and he will be part of Brazil’s Copa America squad
Brazil manager Dunga has opted to select several players from the Brazilian top flight for the tournament
Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho (centre) has made the squad but Roberto Firmino (right) misses out
The goalkeeping options include 23-year-old Internacional stopper Alisson, Valencia’s Diego Alves and Benfica’s uncapped Ederson, while Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos will expect to add to his nine caps.
In the absence of the experienced duo Thiago Silva and David Luiz, Dunga has named Shandong Luneng centre-back Gil and Rodrigo Caio of Sao Paulo, despite the 22-year-old having yet to receive his first senior cap.
Brazil will be relying on experienced Inter Milan defender Miranda for a bit of know-how with plenty of inexperience in the squad, but the midfield options do include Real Madrid anchorman Casemiro and Wolfsburg’s Luiz Gustavo.
Lucas Lima adds to the contingent currently plying their trade in Brazil’s Serie A division, alongside Corinthians midfielder Elias while Renato Augusto’s move to China side Beijing Guoan has not scuppered his international chances.
Douglas Costa will hope to end the season on a high after suffering Champions League disappointment
Real Madrid defensive midfielder Casemiro (right) is named among the midfield options available in the States
Barcelona forward Neymar will be absent from the 100th anniversary of the Copa America to focus on Rio
Costa will provide Brazil their greatest attacking weapon this summer, but he will be assisted by Zenit St Petersburg striker Hulk.
The squad is completed by Santos teenager Gabriel Barbosa and his veteran team-mate Ricardo Oliveira, who is enjoying a renaissance at the age of 35.
Brazil, who will host the next Copa America in 2019, have won the competition eight times but have exited at the quarter-final stage in each of the last two editions to Paraguay on penalties.
