Dunga's Tactical Tinkering Aids Brazil in Copa America Quest

There may have been a scare, but Brazil got there in the end. The Selecao's 2-1 win over Venezuela, their most promising of the Copa America so far, was completed without Neymar and has set up this coming weekend's quarter-final with Paraguay, the team that eliminated Brazil from the 2011 edition of the tournament on penalties at the same stage.

It can be of little surprise that the aftermath of last week's defeat to Colombia and the buildup to this group-defining match were swamped in Neymar hysteria after CONMEBOL's decision to ban the 23-year-old for four games, putting him out of the remainder of the tournament.

What Brazil proved is that there is life without Neymar, even if Thiago Silva did decide to dedicate his quite stunning volleyed opener with a point to the stands and holding up his 10 fingers in tribute to the missing star.

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It feels like this point has to be made after every game, but this side is still far from reaching its full potential and potency. Nevertheless, a job needed doing, and against Venezuela it was mission accomplished.

Out went Fred and Neymar for Philippe Coutinho and Robinho. The switch paid off, with Robinho creating the opening goal within 10 minutes for Silva, and Coutinho continuing his upward trajectory in the famed yellow shirt. Oscar may well be watching this competition with increasing trepidation as the Liverpool player makes a convincing case for his jersey.

Coutinho now looks the team's best bet for that incision, that creative bit of genius to decide a tight affair. But Brazil should take heart from this performance.

Robinho also impressed in his first performance in this year's Copa America. Starting up front alongside Roberto Firmino, the Santos forward was everywhere, often dropping back into the midfield to collect the ball and help add impetus to the attack. He was the focal point for the team and, alongside Willian, was the best distributor of the ball on the pitch. His precise left-sided cross with the outside of his boot for Firmino to convert the second spoke volumes about the confidence he is currently playing with.

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The Chelsea midfielder has been his team's best player of this competition, and should Coutinho manage to continue his ascent, the Selecao have two extremely dangerous, creative weapons in their armoury.

There was a distinct lack of the shows of emotion that scarred the country's failed World Cup bid. Just like the man now at the helm of the ship, this was about pragmatism, doing what it took to progress.

True to form, Dunga stalked the touchline, pacing furiously like a disgruntled customer forced to deal with an incompetent shop assistant on work experience. There were curses, wringing of hands and pulling out of hair—if he is building a side in his own image, there will be few able to match the sheer ferocity on display from their leader.

But the boss has also shown his tactical flexibility. By the end of this encounter, Brazil were playing with David Luiz and Dani Alves in central midfield, as Dunga strove to add some balance to what remains a delicate midfield. The sector has been Brazil's weak point throughout the tournament to date, and the manager is not afraid to try out other options.

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The move gave Elias the freedom to move further forward, and, finally freed of the shackles he seems to have been playing with, gave indications he has something to contribute in the final third. Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred, who has shown glimpses of his talent but has so far failed to convince in national colours, must have been kicking himself to not have been given the chance to play alongside a proper anchor in the middle.

The only player to start all 13 games of the Dunga era, the trust the coach places in Miranda was proven by the Atletico Madrid stopper being handed the captain's armband in the absence of Neymar and with David Luiz on the bench. Starting alongside Thiago Silva, Brazil finally have their best two central defenders playing together, and if one of David Luiz or Dani Alves is employed in holding midfield against Paraguay, it will be a tough door to unlock.

Once again, the performance may not have been quite what the fans were expecting, but it was an encouraging step in the right direction. Furthermore, the coach's willingness to experiment with formations and the players at his disposal has added another dimension to the team's shape and options, an excellent remedy to Neymardependencia.