Brazil calls up Alex Sandro, Renato Augusto for friendlies

Brazil coach Tite on Monday named defender Alex Sandro and midfielder Renato Augusto to the squad for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Cameroon.

Sandro will be taking the place on the back line usually filled by Marcelo, who was injured Oct. 28 playing for Real Madrid against Barcelona, the Brazilian Soccer Confederation (CBF) said in a statement.

Marcelo was unable to play for the Blancos on Sunday against Celta Vigo and “has not recovered completely” from his injury, the CBF said.

Augusto is stepping in for Philippe Coutinho, hurt while playing for Barcelona.

After the friendlies in the United Kingdom against Uruguay and Cameroon, Brazil will next take the field in March 2019 to prepare for the Copa America tournament, which the giant South American nation is hosting in June.

Tite’s men have won their last four matches - friendlies against the United States, El Salvador, Saudi Arabia and Argentina - after losing to Belgium in the quarterfinals of the 2018 World Cup,