Copa America 2015 Preview: Brazil
Overview
The Carnival festival is back underway.
Following its traumatic exit from last year's World Cup, a match that is surely among the most shocking results in the history of international football, Brazil is enjoying a resurgence as it looks to capture a ninth Copa America title.
Leading the revolution is manager Dunga, a bad-tempered figure who is far from popular in the streets of Brazil, largely because he values pragmatism over samba futebol, the fast-paced, free-flowing, creative style of play that values enjoyment as much as winning and defined the Selecao in past eras.
It was Dunga's defensive approach that was blamed for Brazil's collapse at the 2010 World Cup, which marked the end of his first stint as manager of the national team.
Things are going far better this time around, however.
Since Dunga kicked off his second spell following last year's anxiety-inducing World Cup fiasco, the Selecao have amassed a record of 10 wins in 10 friendlies, scoring 21 goals while only conceding two.
Under the 1994 World Cup winner, Brazil will never play the colourful style of football that captivated the planet in previous decades. But as long as the results keep pouring in, Dunga won't be going anywhere, even if there is a change at the top of the Confederacao Brasileira de Futebol, who are currently rocked by the corruption scandal engulfing FIFA.
Of course, supporters can still expect to see a Lambreta or two from Neymar, still bathing in the euphoria of Champions League glory, at the Copa America.
Players such as Julio Cesar, Dani Alves, and Hulk are no longer part of Brazil's core, and injuries mean that the Selecao will be without Marcelo, Luiz Gustavo, and Oscar.
In other words, Brazil's starting XI at the Copa America will feature faces that are unfamiliar to many but that are entirely capable of re-establishing their nation's place at the top of South American football.
Group Stage Schedule
| Date | Match | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 - 06 - 14 | Brazil vs. Peru | 18:30 | Estadio Municipal Bicentario German Becker |
| 2015 - 06 - 17 | Brazil vs. Colombia | 21:00 | Estadio Monumental David Arellano |
| 2015 - 06 - 21 | Brazil vs. Venezuela | 18:30 | Estadio Monumental David Arellano |
All times are listed in local time
Projected Starting XI
Jefferson; Fabinho, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Filipe Luis; Casemiro, Fernandinho; Willian, Philippe Coutinho, Neymar; Roberto Firmino
Appointing Dunga as manager indicated that Brazil was set to take a more defensive approach to their style of play.
Through his 10 friendlies at the helm, however, the Selecao have looked anything but defensive, launching numbers forward game after game and walking away with 10 wins as a result.
While Dunga's pragmatism does guarantee more stability at the back, the kind that would have likely never surrendered seven goals in a single match, Brazil's style was not radically altered when he took over, evidenced by the 4-2-3-1 formation from last year's World Cup that continues to be deployed.
El Capitan
In what was one of Dunga's first orders of business as manager, Neymar was appointed as Brazil's new captain last September, a move likely aimed at accelerating the healing process from the Selecao's humiliating World Cup exit.
Neymar, Earth's greatest sub-genius, needs very little introduction.
From his early days at Santos FC, where his jaw-dropping skills took YouTube by storm, to the Treble he recently captured at FC Barcelona, Neymar embodies all the qualities of a Brazilian virtuoso and possesses a perfect blend of individualism and collectivism.
A combination of intelligence, technical ability, and creativity, the Brazilian phenom continues to follow in the footsteps left by Pele, wearing the No. 10 shirt with pride as he leaves his opponents for dead in one-on-one situations.
Football is unfortunately at a point where humiliating opponents is frowned upon, a world where a panna or a Lambreta is frowned upon.
Fortunately, Neymar doesn't appear to have gotten the memo.
The Star
If Thiago Silva had taken the pitch in the semifinals of last year's World Cup, it could have potentially been a different story for Brazil.
Silva's absence became more and more notable as each of the seven goals hit the back of the net. The Selecao's backline no longer showed the sense of unity or discipline they had carried throughout the competition.
What Silva brings to Brazil is defending of the highest quality, expertise in breaking down attacks from the opposition and moving the ball back up the pitch. He is as fluid of a defender as one could ask for. His tackling skills are on another level and his presence both on the ground and in the air leaves opposing forward struggling to find an inch of space.
Furthermore, Silva complements David Luiz, his partner in crime, perfectly. Luiz often pushes forward into the role of a defensive midfielder and is more comfortable with the ball at his feet. When the Sideshow Bob lookalike is caught too far up the pitch, Silva is there to control the situation.
The Copa America will provide Silva with a perfect opportunity to reassert his place as one of football's top centre-backs.
The Young Gun
Christ the Redeemer is smiling on Roberto Firmino.
The 23-year-old forward will likely feature at the top of Brazil's 4-2-3-1 formation at the Copa America, intent on ensuring that he doesn't become a scapegoat like his predecessor Fred.
While scoring is normally not an issue for Brazil, it's been a long time since the Selecao were blessed with a classic No. 9 who can tally goals at an obscene rate. In fact, it would be fair to say that such a player hasn't emerged since the iconic Ronaldo hung up his international cleats.
Dunga could have opted to roll the dice on a number of forwards who were experiencing success in Europe, but he appears to have ultimately settled on Firmino, whose dribbling skills and defensive pressure are above his years.
If Firmino can surface as a constant threat in front of goal, the Brazilian public will welcome his presence in the Selecao's starting XI.
Burning Questions
- Can Brazil continue the excellent run of form its experienced since last year's World Cup?
- Attacking full-backs are a staple of Brazilian football. Can Fabinho and Filipe Luis live up to the hype?
- After carrying more pressure into a World Cup than any other side in history, how will Brazil look in a tournament where the expectations aren't as high?
Odds and Ends
Nickname: The Selecao
Most caps: Cafu (142)
Top scorer: Pele (77)
Best Copa America result: Champions (1919, 1922, 1949, 1989, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2007)