6 Challenges Facing Dunga and Brazil in 2015

A new year and a new start. For Brazil and the Selecao, that sentiment is particularly poignant as Dunga continues his rebuilding mission.

The ultimate goal is of course the World Cup. The five-time champions have not appeared in a final since winning the competition in 2002.

That said, there are targets to be hit prior to Russia 2018, the Rio 2016 Olympic Games being a particular highlight as a competition in which Brazil have never managed to take gold.

As for 2015, here are six obstacles Dunga and his charges must overcome. 

1. Define the First-Choice Goalkeeper

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Jefferson of Botafogo has put in a string of competent performances since the World Cup, and there were convincing arguments for including him in the first team at the FIFA tournament too.

He only missed his country’s last two friendlies of 2014 as no Brazil-based players were called up to the squad, and his display against Argentina remains one of the finest individual showings of Dunga’s brief reign to date.

However, the stopper and coach now face a dilemma. With Botafogo relegated to the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie B at the end of the season, can Dunga continue to put faith in a goalkeeper playing in a league that will not consistently test his capabilities?

With the likes of Diego Alves and Rafael Cabral breathing down his neck, can Jefferson afford to be so loyal to the Rio de Janeiro outfit? 

2. Decide on a Central Defensive Partnership

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One goal conceded in six games tells its own story, and for now the partnership of Miranda and David Luiz is working well. It is to Dunga’s credit that he was brave enough to leave out Thiago Silva, and handing the captain’s armband to Neymar must surely have sent a message to the Paris Saint-Germain blocker about the uncertainty of his international future.

Nevertheless, can Dunga afford to continue to ignore a defender as reliable and solid as Silva? It does not take a team of analysts to observe he is a far more accomplished defender than club team-mate Luiz, whose reckless attitude toward an early setback in the World Cup semi-final should not be forgotten in haste.

Thiago Silva and Miranda look to be the strongest Brazilian defenders right now. Should they be given a run of games together to forge an understanding, prior to—or even during—the Copa America? 

3. Find a Back-Up for Luiz Gustavo

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Luiz Gustavo is one of the most underrated players in the squad.

Previous manager Luiz Felipe Scolari's team and game plan only began to come together once Gustavo was installed in holding midfield.

If Claude Makelele perfected the role that now takes his name a decade ago, then Gustavo is making it his own in the Brazil side, and he is a key link between defence and the middle of the park.

Were he to be injured, however, Brazil have few proven operators in that position. Dunga would do well to test further options before his hand is forced. 

4. Ease the Burden on Neymar’s Shoulders

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The undoubted star and craque of this Brazil side, Neymar, has shown that he deserves to dine at football’s highest table. His encouraging performances at the Confederations Cup were backed up at the World Cup, and he continues to go from strength to strength.

Scorer of all four goals against Japan and recent winner of the Samba Gold award, given to the best Brazilian player in Europe, Neymar is a freakish talent. However, even the best need a bit of help, and the Barcelona forward cannot carry the rest alone.

If Oscar can find consistency on the international stage, and one of Diego Tardelli or Roberto Firmino can prove their goalscoring credentials on the international stage, the burden on Neymar’s shoulders will be eased considerably.

5. Come Up with a Plan B

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One of Scolari’s biggest downfalls was his inability, or disregard, to develop a Plan B. Brazil played the same way against Cameroon as Germany, with disastrous results.

So far, Dunga has found success with a flexible 4-2-4, but it would do no harm to develop a second plan of attack.

Fred’s efforts as a lone target man were thwarted far too easily at the World Cup, but he is the kind of player that can be effective in the right circumstances.

Throwing all your eggs in one basket is rarely beneficial, and varying options on the bench is often an asset. Dunga needs to ensure his players boast more than one way to win a football match. 

6. Win a Trophy

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All this needs to be backed up by results on the pitch. Following the World Cup humbling, a win in the Copa America would go some way to repairing some of the damage and humiliation this football-proud nation has suffered.

With the continental competition less than six months away, Brazil will be presented with an excellent opportunity to boost morale prior to hosting the Olympic Games the following year.