Neymar is irreplaceable, says Brazil coach

MOSCOW, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Brazil will not try to replace injured forward Neymar in international friendlies against Russia and Germany over the next week, according to Selecao coach Tite.

Douglas Costa will take Neymar's place on the left side of Brazil's attack for Friday's clash against Russia in Moscow, and Tite said he told the Juventus winger to play his natural game while urging others to assume greater responsibility.

"Neymar is irreplaceable due to the fact that he is one of the three best players in the world," Tite told reporters. "That's a fact. Douglas Costa won't replace Neymar. He is going to be Douglas Costa. We have to take on the challenge of being a strong team. I can't rely on our best player to do everything."

Tite cited recent comments made by retired Brazil great Kaka as an example for his players to follow. Kaka won the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year award after helping AC Milan to the Champions League and Club World Cup trophies.

"Kaka said recently that he was considered the best player in the world because the team was playing well and that he owed a lot to his teammates," Tite said. "That's emblematic. Neymar is going to be strong if the team is strong. And eventually, there are going to be times when we are going to have to play without him."

In addition to Costa's inclusion, Tite is expected to hand a starting berth to Chelsea midfielder Willian for Friday's match, relegating Beijing Guoan's Renato Augusto to the bench.

The fixture will be played at Moscow's refurbished Luzhniki stadium, which will host the World Cup final on July 15.

Brazil will then travel to Berlin for a friendly against Germany next Tuesday in the teams' first meeting since the 2014 World Cup semifinals, when Joachim Low's side routed the tournament hosts 7-1. Enditem