Brazil’s 3-1 victory over Venezuela in Caracas might read as a routine triumph for the Selecão, but the performance revealed deeper cracks in the team’s tactical framework. Against a Venezuelan side that had managed just four points before this encounter and had never defeated Brazil in an official match, Tite’s men were expected to dominate. Instead, they laboured through the contest, relying on late heroics to salvage the result.
Venezuela’s Game
Plan: Organized Resistance
Venezuela, aware of the gulf in quality, approached the game
with a disciplined defensive structure and counterattacking intent. Manager
Fernando Batista deployed a compact 4-3-3, with captain Tomás Rincón anchoring
the midfield and Salomón Rondón’s absence necessitating a reshaped attacking
trio of Peñaranda, Ramírez, and Machís.
Their plan bore fruit early. Brazil’s right flank, manned by
the struggling Danilo and supported by an out-of-form Everton Ribeiro, was
repeatedly exposed. It was from this vulnerability that Yeferson Soteldo,
Venezuela’s diminutive creative spark, carved an opportunity. His chipped cross
found Eric Ramírez, who directed a precise header past Alisson to give
Venezuela a deserved lead.
Brazil’s Stagnation:
A Tale of Misplaced Pragmatism
Tite’s reliance on his preferred 4-4-2 system, coupled with
a conservative approach, stifled Brazil’s creativity. The absence of Neymar,
suspended for this match, was glaring. Lucas Paquetá, deployed as a No. 10,
struggled to provide the incisiveness needed to unlock Venezuela’s disciplined
defence.
Brazil’s midfield pairing of Fabinho and Gerson offered
solidity but lacked the dynamism to transition effectively into attack.
Meanwhile, Ribeiro’s ineffectiveness on the right flank further compounded the
team’s issues.
Opportunities came sporadically, often through individual
moments rather than cohesive team play. Gabriel Jesus and Gabigol both missed
chances, while Ribeiro’s crossbar-rattling effort symbolized Brazil’s lack of
clinical finishing.
The Turning Point:
Injecting Dynamism
The introduction of Raphinha at halftime proved
transformative. The Leeds United winger brought pace, creativity, and
directness to the right flank, exposing Venezuela’s defensive frailties. His
set-piece delivery immediately caused problems, with Thiago Silva’s disallowed
goal serving as an early warning sign for the hosts.
Vinícius Júnior’s arrival further shifted the balance.
Deployed on the left, the Real Madrid starlet injected urgency and flair,
repeatedly troubling Venezuela’s defence with his pace and dribbling. His
presence raised the question: why wasn’t he included in the starting XI?
Brazil’s Revival
The equalizer came in the 71st minute, courtesy of a corner
from Raphinha. Marquinhos rose highest to power a header past Venezuela’s
goalkeeper, Wuilker Faríñez, bringing Brazil level and reigniting their
attack.
Tite then made two crucial substitutions, introducing Antony
for the underwhelming Jesus and Emerson Royal for Danilo. These changes
provided the Selecão with the attacking impetus they had lacked throughout the
first half.
Vinícius and Raphinha continued to terrorize Venezuela’s
defence, forcing errors and creating opportunities. It was Raphinha’s
relentless pressure that led to a penalty, as Gabigol was fouled inside the
box. The Flamengo striker converted confidently, giving Brazil the lead.
Antony, making his debut, capped off the night with a
well-taken goal after a sublime assist from Raphinha, sealing a hard-fought
victory for the visitors.
Lessons for Tite
While the result might paper over the cracks, Brazil’s
performance highlighted systemic issues. Tite’s pragmatic approach, while
effective against stronger opponents, often stifles the creative potential of his
squad against weaker sides. With players like Vinícius, Raphinha, and Antony,
Brazil possesses the tools to play a more expansive and attacking brand of
football.
The continued reliance on Danilo and Ribeiro on the right
flank is another area of concern. Both players struggled to cope with
Venezuela’s pace and physicality, and their lack of offensive contribution
further hindered Brazil’s attack. Emerson Royal and Raphinha demonstrated that
better options exist.
Conclusion: A Pyrrhic
Victory
Brazil’s late revival in Caracas showcased the team’s depth
and individual brilliance but also underscored the limitations of Tite’s
tactical philosophy. Against stronger opponents, such pragmatism might yield
results, but against teams like Venezuela, it risks undermining the Selecão’s
attacking identity.
If Brazil is to truly capitalize on its wealth of talent,
Tite must embrace a more proactive approach. The second-half performances of
Raphinha, Vinícius, and Antony offered a glimpse of what this team can achieve
when allowed to play with freedom and creativity. Whether Tite heeds this
lesson remains to be seen, but the road to Qatar 2022 demands more than just
scraping by against underdogs.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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