What Should Brazil's Midfield Look Like in Copa America Opener?

The performance may have been far from pleasing on the eye, but Brazil’s final friendly before the Copa America gets underway served as a valuable lesson for boss Dunga.

As expected, changes were made for Wednesday’s game against Honduras, particularly in the middle and forward sectors, as the coach examined all options available to him ahead of Sunday’s group game against Peru.

Brazil’s defence, previously set in stone, has suddenly been cast into doubt. While the central defensive partnership of Miranda and David Luiz has shipped just two goals in 10 outings, and Filipe Luis has seen the beginnings of what looks a fruitful partnership with Philippe Coutinho down the left flank, Dunga has a decision to make over the right-back berth.

Danilo, previously first-choice, has been forced to pull out after picking up an injury to his right ankle against Mexico last Sunday. In has come Dani Alves, as reported by Rupert Fryer of Goal, whose performances at the World Cup last year were so underwhelming, to put it as courteously as possible, he was eventually replaced by fellow international veteran Maicon.

Fabinho started against Honduras on Wednesday night and, although he did not pull up trees in a dull encounter, he did what he had to do competently and consistently attempted to build the same sort of understanding with Willian down the right side that was paying dividends down the opposite flank.

And it is in the midfield and forward line that Dunga has the most crucial decisions to make. Some look crystal clear: The inclusion of Liverpool’s Coutinho, in for the injured Oscar, has been an unbridled success, assuming the responsibility as the principal chance creator for the side with aplomb, and he has gone so far as to suggest that he can share the mantle of being the team’s protagonist alongside Neymar.

Nabor Goulart/Associated Press

The Liverpool No. 10 has grabbed his chance with both hands, and his Chelsea rival may now find himself in the same unfortunate position as Thiago Silva. The Paris Saint-Germain captain missed Dunga’s first games back as Selecao boss through injury, and he has since been unable to force his way back into the reckoning, losing the captain’s armband to Neymar in the process.

Further back in the midfield, Shakhtar Donetsk's Fred has started the last two friendlies and looks to have done enough to satisfy Dunga he can deputise for the vitally important Luiz Gustavo.

Or rather, judging by a positional shift made by Dunga, he will actually be swapping roles with Fernandinho. The Manchester City man formed the anchor at the base of the middle sector, with Fred given the freedom to push and probe, linking buildup play with Coutinho and the forwards.

The last remaining spot in central midfield will be contested between Elias and Casemiro, although both could well be left out to accommodate Neymar and a false No. 9. If one were to make a call based on the last week alone, the former would surely be given the nod.

Casemiro may well be one for the future, but Elias had a hand in both goals in the 2-0 win over Mexico, while the Real Madrid player struggled to showcase his talents against the disciplined and well drilled Hondurans.

Perhaps the most understated member of this new-look Brazil lineup, Willian has proven his worth to this side’s setup and style of play. Prior to these friendlies, he already had Dunga’s confidence, having started seven of the previous eight games, and his performances this week have gone a long way to showing the world that Brazil do not suffer from a severe case of what has become known is certain sections of the Brazilian press as “Neymar-dependencia.”

One only has to look at how the Selecao’s productivity fell in the second half against Honduras, following Willian’s substitution, to appreciate his contribution to the team’s work rate and creative output.

Further forward still and in keeping with the current tactical trend, lines between midfield and attack have become blurred. Dunga’s most immediate change, which was hopelessly shown up at the World Cup under Luiz Felipe Scolari, was to withdraw the use of a traditional target man.

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Whether it be Diego Tardelli or Roberto Firmino—and both have found the back of the net this week to give Dunga a pleasant selection dilemma ahead of Sunday—their default setting has not been lonely isolation in the field’s final third.

While Firmino may be the more consistent finisher, Tardelli’s work rate, habit of dropping back as well as wide to link with the midfield and ability to drag defenders out of position cannot be understated, creating openings the likes of Neymar and a confident Coutinho should relish.

Tough decisions ahead for Dunga, but, ahead of the first competitive test of his second reign, it is a pleasant problem to ponder rather than a concerning head-scratcher.

Likely midfield and forward line against Peru: Fernandinho, Fred, Willian, Philippe Coutinho; Neymar, Diego Tardelli