Positive Signs for Dunga's New-Look Brazil but Tougher Tests Lie in Wait

Much like the man at the helm of their ship, this was efficient, brisk and almost business­like. Brazil, as they step up their preparations for the upcoming Copa America, were not what you might describe as vintage but nevertheless comfortably saw off the challenge of a far-from-full­-strength Mexico side 2­-0 at the Allianz Parque in Sao Paulo.

An excellently taken goal from Philippe Coutinho and a well­-worked effort finished by Diego Tardelli—who is doing his part to show that China is not a forgotten land on the international football landscape—made it nine wins from nine for Dunga's Brazil 2.0. The former Atletico Mineiro forward is locked in a battle with Hoffenheim's Roberto Firmino for the line-leading role, and he snatched his opportunity to remind Dunga of his versatile talents.

On the afternoon, it was Coutinho who left the field happiest with his display.

"

Coutinho: "My first goal ever for Brazil? I'm happy with my goal and performance, I hope more good moments will come" pic.twitter.com/aPljiaP8Ln

— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats) June 7, 2015"

With Oscar never included in the Copa America cast, later to be joined by Diego Alves, Luiz Gustavo and Marcelo, the Liverpool player of the year stepped up to show what he can bring to a side that is still trying to find its feet.

The numbers are indeed impressive. That's 20 goals netted and a paltry two conceded, with World Cup captain Thiago Silva, lest we forget, consigned to the bench.

"

VINE - GOLAÇO de Coutinho! https://t.co/tvK1Wf9I35

— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats) June 7, 2015"

The Copa America is not the most enticing dish on the table when you are five­-time world champions, and this is indeed a time of transition for the Selecao Brasileira.

Close to a year on, the 7­-1 mauling at the hands of reigning world champions Germany is still spoken of in hushed terms, and this month's continental competition in Chile is the country's first chance to make an attempt to banish the ghosts of that fateful game in Belo Horizonte.

And even if the boss hadn't wished to make drastic changes, his hand was forced, not only by circumstance but also necessity. For the first time in his second spell in charge, Dunga was forced to do without talismanic No. 10 Neymar, away with Barcelona as they won the UEFA Champions League. The 23-­year­-old could also miss Tuesday's final Copa warm-up against Honduras, as reported by the Mail Online.

As if that wasn't enough to contend with, Dunga was handed the task of giving his midfield a complete overhaul. Prior to Sunday's victory at the new home of Palmeiras, Dunga had favoured a midfield trio of Luiz Gustavo, Oscar and Willian, who had started in seven of the Selecao's previous eight outings.

It has been a topic of great discussion whether Oscar or Coutinho is the rightful holder of the playmaker role in this new-­look Brazil side, or indeed if they can play together. But with three assists and two goals since the World Cup, Willian has been quietly proving his worth in the yellow of the national side.

Andre Penner/Associated Press

And with the Copa America on the horizon, and Dunga's hand forced, it looks as if this team could very much be built around the industrial, lung-­busting Energizer Bunny of a creative midfielder, charging, motoring and at the same time capable of picking a deft pass to create an opening for the floating front men.

As is almost customary if a blistering start is not made, there were boos. Even for Brazil, however, this was taking the proverbial, with Elias, currently under contract with Palmeiras' rivals Corinthians, and Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred, who had presumably been confused with the No. 9 and unfairly named villain of the Mineirao, taking the most heat.

It would be a pleasant and welcome surprise if support could be given from first whistle to last, but this is a demanding corner of the world, where playing at home can resemble the deafening din of the most intimidating, tightly ­packed away ground.

But this is looking a far different unit than the side that tried to win the nation's first World Cup on home soil. Luiz Felipe Scolari's men were marked for their emotion: the tears during the national anthem before the tournament opener against Croatia; the sobs and seemingly broken men after prevailing against Chile in the round of 16; the ill-­fated and ultimately disastrous decision to walk out for the semi­final against Germany with the shirt of the missing Neymar held aloft.

The latter, in retrospect, was a passive admission that the game was as good as up without the Barcelona forward.

Now they have shown a colder side to their play, and it has set the side in good stead ahead of competitive action for the first time in nigh on a year. Friendlies will only get you so far.

Scolari's Selecao notched up nine wins on the trot before failing so spectacularly when it mattered. Dunga's cohorts have the chance to go one better against Honduras on Wednesday, but it will count for little if genuine progress is not seen in Chile. Whether that will finally put a stop to mentions of the Mineirao is another matter entirely.