Neymar-Inspired Brazil Continue to Show Improvement with Another Clean Sheet

Neymar will steal the headlines for Brazil following their 4-0 win over Turkey on Wednesday night, but the true story of Dunga's initial successes lies deeper.

Brazil, even under Luiz Felipe Scolari, were a free-scoring side in attack, but the 1994 World Cup-winning captain has set his stall out rather differently. This is a Brazil based on immense solidity.

Brazil have played and won five matches since their embarrassing capitulation at this summer's Word Cup, and the statistics tell a clear story: Goals scored, 12; goals conceded, 0. They are figures teams dream about.

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It cannot, either, be argued that Brazil have chosen easier opponents in order to get back on track. Colombia and Argentina are seen as two of the best sides in the world, stacked with attacking talent, while Japan, Ecuador and Turkey are decent, if not outstanding, opponents.

While Turkey showed a moment or two of promise in front of goal on Wednesday night—flashing a header narrowly wide and forcing Diego Alves into one good save—Brazil's frugality under Dunga is now an established trend.

Dunga's side are not overly cautious, either. Danilo was regularly to be seen surging forward from full-back on the right flank, while one of the midfield pair—usually Fernandinho—was also allowed to push forward.

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However, with Filipe Luis and Luiz Gustavo offering something of a shield, with the energetic harrying of Oscar and Willian leading the defensive effort from high up the pitch, this is a Brazil side displaying increasing solidity.

That's certainly the feeling Dunga has, with the manager of the opinion that their World Cup woe is behind them. "We are starting to play well and hopefully we keep improving," he is quoted by Goal.com as saying.

The players would appear to be responding well to their manager's plans. Neymar, captaining his country at just 22, has been inspired of late and took his international goal tally to 42 with another brace on Wednesday night.

Oscar, in fine form with Chelsea, was effervescent, while his team-mate Willian stole the show with moments of sublime craft in the attacking third. From a player used primarily for his work rate at club level, it was good to see that innate flair remains.

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How Willian? https://t.co/CezRMiKskY

— Football Vines (@FootballVines) November 12, 2014"

Luiz Adriano, starting in attack in the absence of Diego Tardelli, worked hard and did his best to claim a goal that will ultimately go down against Semih Kaya's name. He will now hope for a further chance to impress against Austria next time out.

Dunga, though, can only be delighted with the progress his side are making, and it starts from the back, with David Luiz, Miranda and Luiz Gustavo presenting a solid unit game after game this season.

The boys up front will take the credit, but Dunga is spearheading a Brazil team built upon a solid base, and long term that may prove to be the side's greatest strength.