Brazil’s recent performances in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers have left fans and pundits alike scratching their heads. A lacklustre draw against Colombia followed a similarly uninspired win over Venezuela, and the cracks in Tite’s tactical framework are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. While the Selecão remain a formidable side on paper, their on-field displays suggest a team struggling to find cohesion and purpose.
The Persistent Void:
Between Defense and Attack
At the heart of Brazil’s struggles lies an enduring issue:
the disjointed space between their defensive and offensive units. Since the
2018 World Cup, this gap has remained largely unaddressed, a glaring flaw in
Tite’s otherwise meticulous approach. While Alisson and Casemiro provide
solidity at the back and Neymar leads the charge up front, the midfield lacks
the creativity and structure to bridge the two ends effectively.
Tite’s reliance on formations such as the 4-2-2-2 and his
favoured 4-1-4-1 has failed to resolve this disconnect. Players like Fred and
Gabriel Jesus, pivotal in recent matches, have appeared out of sync with the
tactical demands placed upon them. Fred, in particular, has struggled to impose
himself, often overwhelmed by opponents and unable to inject the creativity
needed to unlock defences.
Misplaced Roles and
Missed Opportunities
One of Tite’s most puzzling decisions has been the
deployment of Lucas Paquetá in roles that do not suit his natural abilities.
Whether as a winger or a false nine, Paquetá has looked out of place, his
creative instincts stifled by the demands of unfamiliar positions. A deep-lying
playmaker by trade, Paquetá thrives when orchestrating play from midfield, a
role he has rarely been afforded under Tite.
Similarly, Everton Ribeiro’s inclusion as a right-winger
raises questions. While Ribeiro possesses technical finesse, his lack of pace
and incisiveness limits his impact in a position that demands dynamism and
directness. Gabriel Jesus, despite his strong club form, has also struggled to
replicate his performances for Brazil, often left isolated and ineffective in
Tite’s system.
The Search for
Balance
Tite’s challenge lies in finding harmony between Brazil’s
offensive model and the players best suited to execute it. The Selecão have no
shortage of attacking talent, with Raphinha, Antony, Vinícius Júnior, and
Rodrygo Goes all capable of providing the pace and unpredictability needed to
unbalance defences. However, these players require a midfield capable of quick
transitions and intelligent distribution to maximize their impact.
Brazil’s current midfield options lack the versatility and
tactical intelligence seen in their European counterparts. While Rodrigo De
Paul orchestrates Argentina’s play with precision and Marco Verratti dictates
Italy’s tempo, Brazil has yet to identify a midfielder capable of fulfilling a
similar role. The decline of Arthur Melo and Philippe Coutinho has further
compounded this issue, robbing Brazil of two players who could have bridged the
gap between defence and attack.
Tactical
Stagnation
Tite’s tactical evolution, once a hallmark of his success,
now appears to have stalled. His experimentation with a 2-3-5 formation and
other positional adjustments has yielded minimal results. The team’s build-up
play, often reliant on an excessive number of players in defensive positions,
lacks the fluidity and creativity needed to break down organized
opponents.
In contrast, Tite’s earlier successes were built on balance.
At Corinthians and during his early tenure with Brazil, he relied on fast,
incisive attackers and creative midfielders to dictate play. Renato Augusto and
Paulinho, for example, provided a perfect blend of control and penetration,
supporting both defensive transitions and attacking movements.
The Path Forward
Brazil’s current predicament demands bold decisions. Tite
must abandon his over-reliance on underperforming players and instead build his
team around those who can execute his vision effectively. Players like Paquetá
and Bruno Guimarães should be given the freedom to dictate play from midfield,
while dynamic wingers like Raphinha and Vinícius Júnior must feature prominently
in the starting XI.
Additionally, Tite must address the systemic issues in his
tactical setup. A more compact midfield, capable of quicker ball progression
and positional fluidity, is essential. The inclusion of a second defensive
midfielder with a blend of creativity and defensive discipline could provide
the stability needed to connect Brazil’s defensive and offensive units.
Conclusion: A Team in
Transition
This is not the era of Brazilian football where every player
could seamlessly adapt to any position. Instead, Tite must recognize the
specific strengths of his players and deploy them accordingly. The Selecão’s
current crop of talent, while not as extraordinary as past generations,
possesses the potential to succeed if given the right framework.
As the World Cup looms, the question remains: can Tite adapt and evolve in time? His legacy as Brazil’s coach will depend on his ability to resolve the tactical dilemmas that have plagued his tenure since 2018. The clock is ticking, and the Selecão cannot afford to stagnate any longer.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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