It all started so well for Brazil, the tournament favourites as they kicked off their World Cup opener against Switzerland on Sunday night. With a control and shot action that was so familiar it could be considered a single motion, Philippe Coutinho, in trademark style, curled a right-footed shot into the top corner of the net to give his side a first-half lead. It didn’t last, though.
Switzerland worked their way back into the match, scoring an equaliser through Steven Zubar, who lost his marker, with the help of a shrewd push, to head home from a corner kick. It wasn’t undeserved, though. Brazil allowed their grip of the contest to slip, with the Selecao even somewhat fortunate to hold on to a point by the time the full-time whistle was blown.
This was the consequence of a number of problems, but most concerning for Tite was the way in which Brazil lost control of the midfield in the second half. They brought Fernandinho on for Casemiro to provide the back four with protection, but there was nobody in front of the Manchester City man to pick up the ball and drive it forward.
It’s for this reason that Brazil must call on Fred for their next group game against Costa Rica on Friday. The 25-year-old, who is expected to put the finishing touches on a £52 million move to Manchester United, is the sort of player who will give the Selecao the presence and energy through the centre of the pitch that they lacked latterly against Switzerland.
Of course, Brazil have plenty of creativity around the attacking midfield area. Coutinho, as he demonstrated in the group opener, is capable of making the difference against the highest calibre of opposition, while Willian and, of course, Neymar are also adept at dropping deep before driving forward.
But there’s a missing link between the midfield platform forged by one of the two deep-lying options of Casemiro and Fernandinho and the final third. This is a role Paulinho should have performed against Switzerland, but the Barcelona man was crowded out by a Swiss midfield led by the irrepressible Valon Behrami, who was the man of the match for many.
Fred, assuming he is fit, should start instead of Paulinho in Brazil’s next game. He is capable of providing the likes of Coutinho, Willian and Neymar with the service they need, while also helping out Casemiro/Fernandinho in a defensive sense. He would be the one to pick the ball of their toes and push it forward, meaning the pair can stay in their positions, preserving Brazil’s structure. Fred might not fix all Brazil’s problems, but he would at least address one deficiency.