RIO DE JANEIRO, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian national team coach Luiz Felipe Scolari on Thursday announced part of the lineup for the World Cup, which opens on June 12 with Brazil against Croatia.
At a press conference in Sao Paulo, Scolari said he plans to use the same strategy that helped the team win the 2012 championship for the fifth time: namely, designating a quartet to lead the team.
The quartet include captain and defender Thiago Silva, David Luiz, goalkeeper Julio Cesar and forward Fred.
"I had already selected them" to lead, said Scolari, adding he had spoken with each of those players during different trips.
In a recent visit to London, Scolari met with Luiz and his three Chelsea compatriots, midfielders Oscar, Willian and Ramires, and Totthenham's Paulinho, offering clues as to who else he might pick to complete the lineup.
Scolari said he wasn't worried about star Brazilian player Neymar, who plays for Barcelona.
"Barcelona isn't doing well," said Scolari, making a distinction between the player and the club. "I have zero concerns about Neymar."
The coach added he hoped Chelsea would be eliminated by rival Atletico de Madrid before the finals of the European Champions League, saying that this way his "four players would be rested" for the World Cup.
In their first-leg match on Wednesday, the two teams tied 0-0.
Scolari told reporters the remainder of the lineup, to be announced on May 7, will not hold any surprises.
"There won't be big news. It's possible for you to guess the names," he said.