World Cup Group E preview: Tite revives Brazil's beautiful game

    Source: Xinhua| 2018-06-01 15:20:26|Editor: Shi Yinglun
    Video PlayerClose

    By Michael Place

    RIO DE JANEIRO, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Given their proud history and superb recent form, it comes as little surprise that Brazil will be among the favorites to win the World Cup when the tournament begins on June 14.

    It seems unfathomable that two years ago the five-time world champions were in danger of missing football's showpiece event in Russia.

    Their confidence still sapped by a calamitous 7-1 home loss to Germany in the semifinals of the 2014 World Cup, Brazil were languishing in sixth place in the South American qualifying group for the 2018 tournament.

    A nadir was reached in June 2016 when the team coached by 1994 World Cup-winning captain Dunga were eliminated from the centenary edition of the Copa America without reaching the knockout phase.

    The Brazilian football confederation (CBF) responded by sacking Dunga and replacing him with former Corinthians manager Adenor Leonardo Bacchi.

    The man affectionately known as Tite vowed to recover Brazil's attacking DNA, lost under Dunga's dour stewardship, without forgoing defensive organization and discipline.

    The transformation was evident in Tite's first match. The Selecao routed Ecuador 3-0 in Quito, inspired by a brace from 19-year-old debutant Gabriel Jesus. The striker's first goal was a sublime backheel flick that recalled the artistry of the country's array of past attacking greats.

    It was the start of a run that saw Brazil win nine consecutive World Cup qualifiers. Along the way, they became the first team to secure a place in Russia, other than the hosts, and reclaimed the world No. 1 ranking for the first time since 2011.

    But it is the way that Tite changed the Selecao's style of play that most impressed seasoned Brazil observers.

    The team netted 30 goals in their final 12 qualifiers compared to 11 in the first six. Suddenly, Brazil looked flush with attacking options — a stark contrast from the threadbare Dunga era — as Neymar, Philippe Coutinho, Willian and Jesus revelled in the freedom to play their natural games.

    STAR MEN

    There is no more pivotal man in the Brazil squad than Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar.

    The former Santos prodigy has not played since February as he recovers from surgery to repair a broken fifth metatarsal in his right foot.

    However Brazil's team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar has given assurances that the 26-year-old will be in peak condition for the team's World Cup opener against Switzerland on June 17.

    There is good reason why Brazil is hoping that Lasmar is right.

    Neymar has made a habit of lifting his game to another level when wearing the national shirt, especially when the stakes are high.

    That was evident when he scored four goals in five matches before being injured in the 2014 World Cup. In 2016, he converted the winning spot-kick in the Olympic final against Germany at a packed Maracana stadium in Rio, securing Brazil the only major trophy they had yet to win.

    In 83 matches since his debut in 2010, Neymar has scored 53 goals. He is fifth on Brazil's all-time scorers' list, behind Romario (55), Zico (66), Ronaldo (67) and Pele (77).

    That is not to say he is the only key figure.

    Perhaps no Brazilian player has grown more in stature over the past two years than Philippe Coutinho. A bit-part player under Dunga, the former Vasco da Gama attacker is now one of the first men picked on Tite's team sheet.

    He repaid the coach's faith with a series of influential performances in important World Cup qualifiers. Among them was a decisive display against Argentina in Belo Horizonte in which he scored with a trademark 30-yard drive after cutting in from the left channel.

    Coutinho has been used on both flanks by Tite, who has indicated the 25-year-old could occupy a deeper, more central position during the World Cup, allowing Neymar to be deployed on the left side of attack.

    There is also world-class talent at the other end of the pitch. Goalkeeper Alisson was a revelation for Roma last season, helping the team to third in Italy's Serie A standings and the semifinals of the Champions League. His reliability and shot-stopping prowess have reportedly made him a target of Real Madrid and Liverpool, though Roma have said he is not for sale.

    It says something about how highly Alisson is rated by Tite that the former Internacional player is ahead of Manchester City's first-choice gloveman Ederson in Brazil's pecking order.

    In midfield, Brazil boast a mix of organizers and attack-minded playmakers. Leading the former category is Casemiro an indispensable member of the Real Madrid team that won its third consecutive UEFA Champions League in May.

    The former Sao Paulo player is certain to secure one of two holding midfield places in a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 formation in Russia. Like Coutinho, the 26-year-old has grown in confidence under Tite, thriving in a role in which he is able to dictate the pace of the match and exhibit his extensive passing range.

    STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES

    There appears to be few cracks in this Brazil squad. In addition to boasting some of the game's biggest names, such as Neymar and Coutinho, the Selecao also boast enviable depth, with at least one world-class reserve in most positions. The goalkeeping position is a case in point, as is the contest for the central striker's position between Jesus and Liverpool's Roberto Firmino.

    Tite must also decide who among Thiago Silva, Miranda and Marquinhos will fill the two center-back spots. Early indications are that former captain Silva will be relegated to the bench.

    If there is one weakness, however, it as at right-back. A knee injury suffered by Dani Alves has meant that Manchester City's Danilo or Corinthians veteran Fagner are vying for the role. Danilo is expected to be Tite's first option, despite having only recently cemented a starting berth in Pep Guardiola's team. Enditem

    TOP STORIES
    EDITOR’S CHOICE
    MOST VIEWED
    EXPLORE XINHUANET
    010020070750000000000000011100001372230571
    主站蜘蛛池模板: 亚洲日本在线电影| 国产做无码视频在线观看浪潮 | 女生张开腿给男生捅| 久久综合九色综合网站| 玩弄丰满少妇XXXXX性多毛| 国产亚洲欧美日韩在线观看一区二区 | 亚洲综合日韩在线亚洲欧美专区| 裸体跳舞XXXX裸体跳舞| 国产精品欧美视频另类专区| 一区二区三区视频在线播放| 日韩欧美在线精品| 亚洲精品字幕在线观看| 经典国产一级毛片| 国产大学生一级毛片绿象| 91香蕉视频污| 成人免费视频软件网站| 久久精品亚洲综合一品| 欧美日韩国产一区二区三区在线观看| 初尝人妻少妇中文字幕| 韩国全部三级伦电影在线播放| 国产精品自在线| heyzo亚洲精品日韩| 无上神帝天天影院| 亚洲V欧美V国产V在线观看| 波多野结衣一区二区三区高清av | 美国成人免费视频| 国产成人av一区二区三区在线| 8av国产精品爽爽ⅴa在线观看| 婷婷综合久久中文字幕蜜桃三| 久久久久国产精品免费看| 欧美一卡2卡3卡四卡海外精品| 亚洲色欧美色2019在线| 精品国产杨幂在线观看| 国产乱子伦精品无码码专区| 亚洲成a人片毛片在线| 精品无人区一区二区三区| 国产大学生一级毛片绿象| 青青草原在线视频| 在线观看免费宅男视频| 一区在线观看视频| 无人码一区二区三区视频|