Brazil have comfortably won all their three group games and qualified for the semis of the Confederations Cup. Although Brazilians might have expected no less from their national team, there were a few doubts about this team as they have barely played any competetive football under Scolari and also their performances and results the friendlies were not very encouraging(Especially considering and they lost and then drew with an under-strength English team). Scolari has done well after taking over the reigns from Mano Menezes,the defence especially looks more settled. And although everyone in Brazil might not agree playing both Luis Gustavo and Paulinho, it makes sense as both the full backs Marcelo and Dani Alves play quite high up the pitch.
A look on Luis Felipe Scolari’s Brazil
3 minutes
The CBs and Julio Cesar
Thiago Silva easily one of the best center backs in the world plays alongside David Luiz in the heart of the defence. Both the CBs have been quite solid although you never know what is going to happen when David Luiz is around. Another option for Scolari would be to play the impressive Dante in defence and move up David Luiz into midfield dropping maybe Luis Gustavo. David Luiz has performed quite admirably in midfield for Chelsea.
By all accounts, Luiz performed very well, offering energy in contrast to Mikel’s solid positioning. Without the ball, his defensive positioning was good, minimising the space between defence and midfield, and he also broke forward, playing one excellent pass to Eden Hazard and generally distributing the ball positively to prompt quick Chelsea attacks.
-Michael Cox On David Luiz playing in midfield
And we at The False 9 predicted long long back that David Luiz will turn up alongside Frank Lampard one day rather than John Terry.
Of course moving Luiz into midfield will be disastrous against sides like Spain and Germany,Luiz will have no time on the ball and also won’t be able to find space. But against sides which are expected to sit back and defend,probably Luiz in midfield will be a good option.
The Full Backs
Dani Alves was one the best full backs in the world during the Pep Guardiola years,but interestingly the problem which Barcelona face at the moment of both the full backs being too attacking,Brazil also has the same issue. Opposition can find space behind the full backs,as both Marcelo and Alves tend to cross the half way line when Brazil are attacking. And with Hulk and Neymar ahead of these two,this might become a serious issue especially if the opposition has strong and speedy wingers. Oscar,Paulinho and Luis Gustavo are the men who generally take up the defensive responsibility,when all the above mentioned scanter forward. Oscar for his age and experience is a very matured player and is quite tactically aware.
Oscar’s role was very selfless, giving both Neymar and Hulk freedom to move inside – he also defended the left flank effectively when Neymar stayed forward, making as many tackles as any other Brazilian player. In this Brazilian system, the number nine and the number ten are very functional and unglamorous, designed to get the best out of the two wide forwards.
-Michael Cox on Oscar’s role
Part 2 will be up soon.
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