Brazil coach Tite says that changing his team’s shape to 442 in the second half was key to his side’s 2-0 victory over Mexico in their round of 16 victory on Monday afternoon. Gabriel Jesus moved into a wide left role, with Neymar through the centre. .
The switch worked a treat, with Neymar scoring one and creating another in the second half. “It was 4-4-2 with greater freedom, longer marking lines, shorter passing lines, a wide area for the game. Gabriel Jesus sacrificed himself on the left.
“Understanding the game in tactical terms this is what happened. Mexico began to work on the right side, Jesus gave us this support and at the same time we brought Coutinho to play closer to Neymar.”
Tite also praised Mexican goalkeeper Ochoa, who made several excellent saves, “Ochoa did a great job. For one of his saves I was already celebrating. Paulinho shot, Ochoa took it and I said ‘it is not possible!’”
