Football
Liam Twomey, Chelsea correspondent 6y

Brazil's Dani Alves on England clash: 'We don't think it's just a friendly'

LONDON -- Brazil captain Dani Alves has insisted his side will not take a youthful England team lightly in Tuesday's friendly clash at Wembley.

Brazil have lost just two of their last 18 matches and bring a star-studded squad to Wembley for the match. England, in contrast, are without a host of key players including Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Raheem Sterling, leading Southgate to call up several youngsters to their first senior international squad.

But speaking at a news conference on Monday, Alves and Brazil boss Tite were adamant that Brazil do not view this match as an easy assignment.

"It's very special to play at Wembley," Alves said. "We know the history of this place and we respect England's history and their name. For that reason we have prepared accordingly and we know what we need to do to strengthen the team for this match. We don't think it's just a friendly."

Tite added: "The English team is very technical and has a physical presence. We're going to be playing at Wembley. This is a heritage site of world football, like Maracana."

Asked if England should be considered one of the favourites to win next summer's World Cup in Russia, Tite replied: "Yes, all of the big teams are favourites -- especially England with their young players like Alli, Kane and the experience of [Gary] Cahill."

Brazil's formidable attack will likely feature Neymar, the world's most expensive footballer, as well as Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho and Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus -- the latter of whom has made a spectacular impact on English football since arriving from Palmeiras in January 2017.

"For all that he's done, all that he's achieved, there's no pressure [in playing for Brazil]," Alves said of Gabriel. "He's doing what he loves. I wasn't joking when I called him the new Ronaldo. They have a similar drive. He's already great and will get even better."

Tite added: "City should be very happy with Palmeiras, who formed an athlete who was already prepared. He had a natural fluency when he arrived [in England]."

Eric Dier will captain England for the second time in four days against Brazil, while Southgate confirmed on Monday that youngsters Dominic Solanke, Angus Gunn and Lewis Cook could be handed their senior international debuts from the substitutes' bench.

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