Alves or Maicon? Brazil's Right-Back Conundrum

There have been many debates in football over the years about the ability of certain players being able to play together. At the 2002 Word Cup, Argentina boss Marcelo Bielsa had two of the world’s best center forwards in Gabriel Batistuta and Hernan Crespo.

Despite calls from the media and fans that they both start, Bielsa ultimately decided that they were too similar and elected to go with Batistuta. Many in the media blamed that decision for Argentina’s group stage exit.

In England, the debate about whether Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard can play together has gone on for years. Sven Goran Eriksson, Steve McClaren, and Fabio Capello have all decided that they could and should play together, with mixed results. Only Capello has been able to get the best out of the pairing.

Brazil have also been subject to such debates, especially at the last World Cup when coach Carlos Alberto Parreira decided that his magic quartet of Adriano, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaka could play together.

Although Brazil seemed to be gaining momentum after a sluggish start, they were eliminated by Zinedine Zidane and France, with none of the big four making much of an impact.

This year’s version of Brazil has similar debate, but it does not involve the likes of strikers or creative midfielders, but rather right backs. One can say with some conviction that Brazil coach Dunga has the two best right backs in the world in Dani Alves and Maicon.

The two are built in the same mold of Brazilian right backs of the past such as World Cup winning captains Cafu and Carlos Alberto Torres. Although they have proven themselves as more than adequate defenders, they both pride themselves on going forward.

Maicon of Inter Milan has been a favorite of Dunga since the former Brazil captain became manager after the 2006 World Cup.

Alves has often been left on the bench by Dunga, but after his best season yet in winning the treble with Barcelona, Alves has been pushing for more playing time for the National Team. He has received it after Maicon got injured during a 1-1 draw with Ecuador in March.

Alves stepped in and was a part of Brazil’s three straight wins that have seen them soar to the top of the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying Standings. Alves played a big role in all the games, including scoring the opener in an historic 0-4 win in Montevideo against Uruguay.

After starting again in Brazil’s 4-3 win over Egypt in the first match of the Confederations Cup, Alves was relegated to the bench for the next three games. It is clear that Dunga feels that Maicon is more disciplined and may be a better defender than Alves.

Maicon starred for Brazil, scoring a goal against the USA, but when things were going poorly against South Africa in the semifinals, Dunga turned to Alves as a left back, even though it was clear Maicon looked fatigued. It took little time for the change to pay off, and Alves scored a sensational free kick two minutes from time to see Brazil into the final.

It would be surprising if Dunga opts to play Alves as a left back from the start against the United States, but could there  be another spot for Alves in the team? In the 2007 Copa America Final, the two played together when Alves entered the game as a right-sided midfielder as a first-half substitution.

Dunga’s gamble paid off back then, with Alves scoring in Brazil’s 3-0 win against arch-rivals Argentina.

While many managers would be tempted to play both of these marauding fullbacks, it seems likely Dunga will not do that. He has been stern in keeping the balance of the team and formation during his tenure, and has strayed away from the philosophy many Brazil coaches use of simply playing the best players and biggest stars.

That is perhaps why the 2006 World Cup team failed, and most likely why Alexandre Pato finds himself on the bench, and Ronaldinho and Ronaldo are both watching at home.

Dunga may not win with any style points, but he makes sure to get the results. Therefore, no matter tempting it may be to play both Alves and Maicon, Dunga will most likely shy away from it. The question then becomes, who deserves the start? Maicon looked less than fresh last match, and Alves scored the winner, so you know where my vote lies.