SA Blog Number 10: Dunga´s Report Card
3rd November 2009
Brazil end 2009 with friendly games against England and Oman in the Middle East. On reflection, the year has been a resounding success for the Selecao; victory in the Confederations Cup was quickly followed by World Cup qualification.
To the moderate thinking football fan, Dunga´s three year tenure has been a success. Yet, back home, the Brazil coach is regularly criticised because of his team´s unfashionable style. Beautiful football is deeply rooted in the Brazilian psyche; they value individual skill and expression over tactical efficiency. And it´s setting up a coherent team model where Dunga specialises, he values the collective over the superstar - a belief many consider sacrilegious in Brazil.
The World Cup winning side of 1970 patented the romantic view of Brazil that´s held across the world. A team blessed with stunning individuals like Pele, Tostao, Jairzinho, Rivelino and Carlos Alberto. The final, in which they demolished Italy 4-1, was the first that was shown on colour television and the bright yellow kit, coupled with the magical performance, captivated global audiences. In the eyes of the neutral, that game elevated the players to almost mythological beings, regarded, even today, as the ultimate exponents of the beautiful game. Subsequently, any coach that followed Mario Zagallo would be judged by those ridiculously high and almost impossible standards.
But a compromise can be reached, albeit, a difficult one. Only victory in the World Cup can convince the Brazilian public that the end justifies the means. Carlos Alberto Parreira achieved this in the United States fifteen years ago. His team were unglamorous and efficacious- displeasing to the erudite Brazilian eye. Parreira deployed two ´volante´s´ in midfield- Dunga and Mauro Silva- similar to the current pairing of Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo. Parreira played a 4-2-2-2 system, while Dunga currently adopts a 4-2-3-1, although there are huge similarities in how both teams set up.
Dunga´s strategy centres around the counter-attack. Brazil´s best performances in qualifying were away from home - defeating Uruguay 4-0, Venezuela 4-0 and Chile 3-0- using this tactic. Dunga has formed a settled team, with a ruthless edge and each individual is aware of his role within the system. Furthermore, the beauty of the formation is in its adaptability; Dunga can switch easily to a 4-3-2-1 or a 4-3-3, depending on the circumstances of the game.
However, there are flaws to this system, particularly when the opposition defend deep, suffocating the space available to Brazil´s danger men. At home this year, when teams ´park the bus´ in front of goal, Brazil have struggled. After the 0-0 draw against Argentina at the Mineirao in Belo Horizonte, Brazil were booed off. It was a vapid, insipid game; Argentina offered no ambition and Brazil had no imagination. This was followed by three further scoreless draws against Bolivia, Colombia and Venezuela.
In South Africa, the problem for Brazil might not be the superpowers, but the smaller nations. Overwhelmed at facing the five-time winners, these teams may adopt a ‘catenaccio’ style against the South Americans. If Brazil meet the likes of Spain, England and Germany, Dunga will be happy for his team to absorb the pressure and attempt to attack on the break. Brazil´s defence is their strength, only conceding a stingy 11 goals in 18 games in qualifying. With only Kaka and Robinho as recognised creative players, when the onus is on Brazil to attack, they could struggle to break cautious opposition down.
Such is the Brazilian love for ´samba football´ that even if Dunga returns with the World Cup, he will never be regarded as a great coach in the eyes of the purist. The current team lack the style of Vicente Feola´s 1958 side and the swagger of Zagallo´s in ´70. However, besides Spain, no nation in world football today can be considered truly great, yet, Brazil will rightly be considered one of the favourites come next June.
In Other South American News.....
Former Argentina International In Critical Condition After Shooting
Maradona Was In ‘State Of Violent Emotion’ During Montevideo Outburst
Colombian Club Punished For Attack On Linesman
Christian Vieri To Sign For Botafogo
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