Brazil stormed to World Cup qualification by finishing 10 points clear of their closest challengers in South America. A run of 10 wins and two draws after Tite replaced Dunga as head coach last June saw them become the first team to qualify for Russia 2018.
It is, though, still difficult to assess just how strong Brazil are. It was a strange qualifying campaign in South America. There were various coaching changes throughout the field and some of the region’s other major powers struggled for form. As the ever-sage, former forward turned newspaper columnist Tostao mused in September:
“Are the qualities of the Brazilian national team indisputable or have they been excessively overvalued because of their superiority over the other South American teams?”
In that context, Brazil’s friendlies against Japan on Friday and England at Wembley next Tuesday will provide a useful test of their credentials. The two teams may not represent the very best that the rest of the world has to offer, but the opportunity for Brazil to refine their strengths and evaluate their weaknesses against different styles and approaches will provide Tite with valuable information as he builds towards next summer’s tournament.
Under his command, Brazil have played attractive and effective football. They build play out short from the back and with quick exchanges, good movement and the occasional moment of individual brilliance are able to create space inside the final third. Tite always speaks of his desire to combine aggression, creativity and structural balance.
It is easy to rattle off 10 of his preferred starting XI: Alisson in goal; Dani Alves, Miranda, Marquinhos and Marcelo in defence; Casemiro in front of the back four; Paulinho and Renato Augusto in central midfield; Neymar on the left and Gabriel Jesus up front. The only doubt is whether it is Willian or Philippe Coutinho on the right.
It is a strong base to work from and one that proved highly productive during qualification. Now, Tite’s task is to look for alternative approaches and ensure that there is enough genuine competition for places to ward off complacency.
His 25-man squad for this international break featured few surprises. All have previously been called up during his time in charge and there were no wildcard picks. Given that Brazil have just two further friendlies in March (against Germany and Russia) prior to the naming of their World Cup squad, it seems unlikely others will now force their way into contention.
New solutions will therefore have to be found from within the current pool of players. Brazil can count on strong back-up options in most defensive and offensive positions; it is in midfield that the majority of the personnel and systemic experimentations are likely to be seen.
Tite has detailed his intention to flip his midfield three to give Casemiro and Fernandinho some minutes together in a double pivot with a more attacking player ahead of them, while he may again trial Coutinho in a central midfield role. Meanwhile, Fenerbache’s Giuliano is keen to make a case for himself as an adaptable operator capable of performing in midfield or further forward.
Brazil will leave no stone unturned in their preparations for the World Cup; Tite has already enlisted the support of the analysis departments of the country’s top-flights clubs to gather intelligence on all of their potential opponents. But he knows that it will be his own side’s ability to change systems and seek alternative solutions that will be key if they are to make good on their status as one of the favourites next summer.
This week’s friendlies will provide his first opportunity to put the process of expanding his side’s competencies into competitive practice.
