Winners and Losers of Brazil's 2014

And so Brazil’s 2014 was concluded in Vienna, a sixth successive victory—a 2-1 win against Austria—bringing the year to a satisfactory but ultimately unavailing close, for it could have been the greatest 12 months in the country’s glorious footballing history.

A year of veritable ups and downs for the Selecao Brasileira has brought smiles, tears, hope and hysteria. Not necessarily in that order.

It all started so positively. Still basking in the glow and renewed vigour brought about by the country’s convincing Confederations Cup campaign, Brazil continued to play attractive, expansive football as Luiz Felipe Scolari finalised his World Cup blueprint.

But it was precisely in the middle of the year when the formerly well-oiled machine began to grind to a halt.

Was it the pressure of the event? Was the weight of history too overbearing for the players to take? Did emotions simply get the better of them?

There were Brazil players with tears rolling down their faces during the national anthem prior to the World Cup opener against Croatia and yet more following the second-round penalty shootout win against Chile.

An abject humiliation and Scolari exit later, new coach Dunga has made a bright start, but if 2014 has taught us anything, it is that friendlies are hardly an accurate barometer for competitive success.

Here are the winners and losers from Brazil’s rollercoaster ride in 2014.

Jefferson

Ng Han Guan/Associated Press

It has been a tough year for 31-year-old Jefferson domestically, but on the international stage, the Botafogo captain is finally getting the recognition his excellent form at club level deserves.

Sat on the bench during the World Cup, the experienced stopper has grabbed the chance given to him by Dunga, excelling in October's Superclassico das Americas against Argentina with a string of saves to keep Brazil’s great rivals at bay.

He sat out the last two friendlies, as Botafogo continued to fall perilously toward Serie B, but Jefferson has put himself in pole position to be the Selecao’s No. 1 for 2015.

He should, however, look to move on from the Carioca club. Second-tier football is no place for a renowned international 'keeper.

VERDICT: WINNER

Daniel Alves

Leo Correa/Associated Press

The World Cup was one to forget for Barcelona star Dani Alves. Even Scolari, who could quite easily be described as stubborn based solely on his squad selections prior to the FIFA tournament, lost patience with the defender.

Alves was replaced by Maicon for the quarter-final against Colombia, following a poor tournament that included an error against Cameroon that allowed the Africans to score their only goal of the tournament.

Linked with a move away from Camp Nou, as reported by ESPN, Alves has nevertheless remained an integral cog in the Catalan machine. He has played 14 games this season and shown his attacking urges remain undimmed, having delivered an impressive 118 crosses in those games, as per the club's official website.

For now, though, his international future looks bleak, with FC Porto’s Danilo making an encouraging start in the right-back berth.

VERDICT: LOSER

Miranda

Uncredited/Associated Press

Miranda was arguably the biggest surprise omission from Scolari’s World Cup squad and subsequently the most deserving beneficiary of the new Dunga era.

Having formed a solid partnership with Diego Godin as Atletico Madrid wrested the Primera Division title from the Barcelona-Real stranglehold last term, the former Sao Paulo man has since brought his title-winning form to the Selecao.

Harshly overlooked for the FIFPro World XI, he is a huge force at the back and a threat at set pieces. Miranda has three league goals already this term and is rapidly highlighting Felipao’s folly of leaving him at home in the summer.

VERDICT: WINNER

Thiago Silva

Andre Penner/Associated Press

It has come as a huge surprise, but Thiago Silva’s international future is suddenly in doubt with 2015 just around the corner.

Brazil’s captain at the World Cup, his importance to the side was seemingly underlined, highlighted and pinned up on the fridge when the hosts capitulated in his absence, conceding five in the opening 29 minutes of the semi-final against Germany, including four in a six-minute blitz that killed the game as a contest.

Enter Dunga.

Admittedly, Silva was injured when the new coach named his first squad for the friendlies against Colombia and Ecuador, and his like-for-like replacement, Miranda, looks to be forming an understanding with the Mineirao’s resident headless chicken, David Luiz, who was arguably the player most responsible for the ease in which Germany sliced through Brazil’s defence back in July.

For now, though, it is Silva with his nose pressed against the window, aching to be let in from the cold. Luiz, meanwhile, perhaps mistakenly, is on the list for the FIFPro World XI.

VERDICT: LOSER

Fred

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Fred is a player who didn’t so much as retire but was unceremoniously booted from international football.

The Fluminense No. 9 somewhat unfairly became a scapegoat for Brazil’s shortcomings at the World Cup, his every touch at the Mineirao during that semi-final booed with the game already hopelessly out of sight.

Soon after, the striker announced his retirement from the Selecao, although it probably was not necessary. With Dunga’s change in shape and playing philosophy, there is no room for a static front man.

However, his World Cup woes haven't affected his domestic form. Fred currently sits atop the Brasileirao scoring charts, with 15 goals, alongside Cruzeiro’s Ricardo Goulart and Henrique of Palmeiras.

VERDICT: LOSER

Diego Tardelli

Ng Han Guan/Associated Press

Where Fred floundered, Tardelli has prospered. The Atletico Mineiro forward, scorer of his side’s winning goal against Cruzeiro in the Copa do Brasil final second leg on Wednesday, has proven his flexibility when it comes to attack, starting the first four games of Dunga’s reign.

Leader of the Selecao line, his role differs vastly from Fred’s during the World Cup. His incredible work rate and adept positional sense have seen him track across the front line and provide a vital link between the players immediately behind him, especially Neymar—the pair showing early indications they can form a prosperous partnership in the final third.

Two goals against Argentina will have done his confidence the world of good, and a battle between him and Roberto Firmino, who scored a rocket of a winner against Austria, will be one of the most intriguing national duels of 2015.

VERDICT: WINNER