However, I have enjoyed the first year in the reign of Mano Menezes. It is too early for definitive conclusions. His is still a team in formation. But it seems to me that the initial diagnosis was an interesting one – that in order to reap full advantage of playing the next World Cup at home, the style of play had to change to something more in line with the taste of the Brazilian public. Excessive reliance on the counter attack and the set piece would have to be replaced by a more expansive approach. Menezes has brought to an end the Gilberto Silva era, of a central midfielder who is more of a third centre back, who offers little when the team is in possession.
Especially fascinating have been the experiments in high pressure marking, in putting the opponent forced back in his own half. One of Mano’s opening remarks a year ago was on the need for Brazil to learn to cope with defensive teams who did not offer opportunities for the counter-attack. Pressing high up the field could be one possible solution. I will be very interested to see if this is tried and how it works in the Copa America, where the intense cold of the Argentine winter should allow the team to press for long periods.
Having said that, I also reserve the right to disagree with Brazil’s coach, while always bearing in mind the profound insignificance of my own opinion. For what it is worth, my squad for the Copa America would differ slightly from the one he selected.
Firstly, in goal, I am unconvinced by Mano’s faith in Victor. Of course, Julio Cesar is lined up to be the first choice, but even so, the preference for Victor over Fabio sends out a potentially dangerous signal – that Mano has favourites from his days as a club coach. It is something that could cause problems for him later down the line.
In the defensive positions I was initially as baffled as everyone else by the absence of Marcelo – subsequently cleared up with the Real Madrid left back’s commitment to the national team cause called into question. But I remain unsure about the motives for calling up Maicon – a wonderful player who deserves to be there on merit, and if this was a World Cup I would have no doubts. But Daniel Alves is now clearly first choice, and Menezes has said that one of his priorities in the Copa is to give experience to a new generation. Is there really any point in taking a player of Maicon’s age and achievements? Might it not be better for him to rest while a younger player learns more about tournament life?
The same applies all the more to Luisao. He has been a fine servant to the national team, but he has always been a reserve, and would appear to be the fourth centre back in line this time. Given that in Lucio Brazil already have one veteran in the position, might it not make more sense to give Luisao some free time and instead have a look at a younger option, such as Dede of Vasco da Gama?
In midfield I am disappointed that Hernanes has been excluded. He was thrown straight out after that uncharacteristic red card against France a few months back. It was a lapse, but I thought at the time that Mano should have taken some of the blame. Hernanes was played wide on the left. But he lacks the pace to shine there, and was having problems getting into the game. I am convinced that the red card was largely the result of frustration, of being over-eager to make a contribution – and I feel that with his two footed talent he could be useful in a more central role. It would be interesting, in Copa America conditions, to see if he could develop a range of passing from centre field that might help to open up packed opposing defences.
My main disagreement, though, comes with the attack – and I expect that the position I am taking will put me in a tiny minority.
I would not take Lucas of Sao Paulo, for two reasons. The first is that for all his promise, he is still raw. He has made excellent progress over the last twelve months, but he is far from the finished article. There are times when he still seems to be playing inside a tunnel.
I think that at this stage he would benefit more from going to the World Youth Cup in Colombia, which kicks off at the end of July. With no Neymar in the team, Lucas would have to take on the burden of leading the attack, something which might help him develop the collective side of his game.
The other reason is that I am concerned that the squad lacks target men, penalty area centre forwards who can serve as a reference for the attack. The evidence of the Mano reign has been that Brazil look better with this type of player. Alexandre Pato is a striker of dazzling talent and wonderful movement, but against the stronger teams the attack can look lightweight without a real number nine. The likes of Neymar and Robinho work best when they can exchange passes with a striker who is adept with his back to goal.
The only player of this type in the 23 is Fred – highly talented but injury prone and not in good form. I was there in the stadium for the last game he played for Fluminense before joining up with the squad, and he was booed off the field.
He may have a good tournament. But to my mind it would be preferable to have Leandro Damiao as an option. The big Internacional striker did well on his debut against Scotland and has been playing consistently well for his club. It is hard for me to understand why he should be out and Lucas should be in.
But that is just my opinion.
