SAMARA, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Defender Marcelo will not start for Brazil in their round of 16 match against Mexico because of a back injury, Selecao coach Tite said on Monday.
The Real Madrid left-back was forced off in the 10th minute of Brazil's 2-0 win over Serbia on Wednesday after suffering a back spasm. He was replaced at Spartak Stadium in Moscow by Filipe Luis, who will start in Monday's match in Samara.
"In a normal and natural situation, there is a natural competition for starting spots," Tite told a news conference. "I cannot have unknown variables in this match, he could be hiding something, but he came to training, he wants to participate, he shows the commitment as a team player and might be able to feature for 45, 60 minutes."
"At the end of the training, we talked, 'Can I count on you?' He said 'you can.'"
Tite said he is seeking a similar performance from his team to the one that saw them account for Serbia.
"I hope the team maintains the standard of the two previous games, even more," he said. "We want to reproduce the physical, tactical, technical, emotional, and type of play like in the last match."
