Brazil Must Accept Winning Ugly Under Dunga Is a Necessity at Copa America

It was far from pretty, but they got the job done. By the skin of their teeth, Brazil managed to get off to a winning start in the 2015 Copa America, thanks to a last-gasp goal courtesy of Neymar’s exquisite pass and Douglas Costa’s cool finish.

Dunga, who won the Copa America in 2007 with the national team, must know that his side will need to perform better than this if they are to lift their ninth continental crown. But, on the other hand, it is often claimed that the mark of a good side is one that can pick up results even while playing badly.

And this, both in the run-up to and now in the group opener, has been far from vintage Brazil.

Admittedly, losing Philippe Coutinho to injury meant Dunga and his squad had to change their shape and style at short notice. To add to their woes, not to mention a seemingly never-ending injury list, the Liverpool playmaker had been one of Brazil’s best performers in the friendlies against Mexico and Honduras.

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He had formed the beginnings of a promising partnership with Filipe Luis down the left flank and had surged forward with confidence. His goal against Mexico, expertly taken from a tight angle, screamed of a man playing with the shackles removed.

His absence and the presence of a three man midfield—Fernandinho, Fred and Elias—left Neymar with less offensive support, which did little to hinder him impacting proceedings. His pass for the winner, thread through the eye of a needle to the feet of the eagerly waiting Costa, was the most praiseworthy movement of the 90 minutes, as Brazil once again struggled to arrive at anything resembling a top gear.

The tournament is only one game old, and the South American giants have two remaining group games to find their stride. More importantly, though, they have three crucial points in the bank.

While Dunga and his charges have so far failed to dazzle since reconvening for the Copa America, they have still managed to pick up results. And right now, grinding out results is more important than playing a brand of football that is pleasing on the eye.

Jorge Saenz/Associated Press/Associated Press

Stop me if you’ve heard this one, but the Selecao needed a serious rethink following the train wreck that passed for a World Cup semi-final. Brazil do not currently occupy a seat at international football’s top table, and it is a long, winding road back to their former position.

There is a constant pressure in this corner of the world to not only win but to emerge victorious playing a brand of football that could be only described as “Brazilian.” It’s like Belgian waffles, French wine, English rain: Put the words “Brazil” and “football” together and you conjure images of a time when the country was seemingly filled with expressionists in football boots who could dance the ball into the back of the net.

Their new boss may represent the antithesis of that rather stereotypical and inaccurate picture, but his immediate concern is success, not pandering to past glories. Lift the Copa America and the first stepping stone is in place.

Andre Penner/Associated Press

It doesn’t have to be pretty, and 11 victories from 11 is nothing to be sniffed at, even if only one of those wins came in a competitive outing. Perhaps of greater concern was the momentary lapse of concentration between David Luiz and Jefferson that gifted Peru the lead, a stern message to Dunga that his work on defensive solidity, although highly successful to date, still requires some fine tuning.

With Thiago Silva and the hugely promising Marquinhos both in the 23-man squad, there may remain a little doubt over Luiz’s long-term position at the heart of a rock-solid defence. Against the very best, he remains suspect, and any lack of focus can be punished cruelly.

And if Brazil are to be accustomed to winning ugly, a back line that is hard to breach is imperative. To lose one of the players most capable of breaching the opposition also demands a greater effort from those guarding your back gate, and should Coutinho not win his race to be fit in time for Wednesday night’s clash with Colombia, fans may need to become accustomed to a more cautious approach for the time being at least.

For now, it is the best way for Brazil to put one foot forward. Worry about getting the right result first and fix the style later. It’s time to get back on track.