Copa America Business End Arrives with 1st True Test for Brazil

It is set to be a telling weekend for Brazil and their Copa America quest. The eight-time continental champions take on Paraguay in the quarter-finals, having topped Group C with two wins from three.

Since the cup adopted its current format back in 1993, Brazil have either crashed out at this stage or gone on to reach the final. Four years ago, the Selecao fell to the opponents that stand in their way in Concepcion on Saturday.

Both sides failed to find the net during a goalless draw, but Brazil’s misery was compounded in the resulting penalty shootout, when all four of their takers—Elano, Thiago Silva, Andre Santos and Fred—failed to make their efforts from 12 yards count.

The first stage of the knockout portion of the tournament presents arguably the first real test Dunga has faced since returning to the national fold. With only 12 teams starting the tournament and eight progressing to the quarter-finals, it was easier to progress than face elimination.

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Given that Brazil were drawn in a group alongside Colombia, Peru and Venezuela, they could have finished third and still reached this stage. The number of even the most pessimistic Brazil fans who expected them to be sent packing at the first hurdle was negligible.

Now, it is all business. One slip up, as the side were afforded in the group stage against Colombia, will be punished.

As confirmed by Globo Esporte, Miranda will now captain the side in the absence of Neymar. The defensive line all but picks itself. With Jefferson between the sticks, the back four of Dani Alves, Miranda, Thiago Silva and Filipe Luis has played together in the last two outings—the defeat to Colombia and the nervy, 2-1 win over Venezuela.

The most interesting changes are likely to be in the midfield, where the initial trio of Fernandinho, Elias and Fred failed to form any sort of cohesion.

The fact none of them looked comfortable or convincing sitting in front of the back four—despite Fred performing that role for club Shakhtar Donetsk—has given the side a top-heavy look and feel while leaving the defence looking overexposed.

Dunga’s attempt to right this wrong on Sunday was to introduce David Luiz and play him in midfield. In addition, young defender Marquinhos deputised for Alves at right-back, thereby pushing the Barcelona man into a midfield role.

It was perhaps more unfortunate than down to any of his doing that Luiz came on to the field as Venezuela were pressing for a late equaliser, making the midfield resemble a revolving door. But should he be selected to play the enforcer role on Saturday, he will need to show more muscle and backbone against a side that showed its fighting spirit to come back from two goals down to snatch a point against Argentina in the group stage.

Another option at Dunga’s disposal is Alves, who is more often seen marauding up and down the right flank and enjoying a redemption following a more than disappointing World Cup last year.

Dunga is yet to give any clues as to which players will line up against Paraguay in Concepcion, but he divided the outfield players into three groups in the final open training session held in front of the press on Wednesday afternoon, according to Brazilian sports daily Lance.

Silvia Izquierdo/Associated Press

The players also trained on a reduced-size pitch to increase the speed of their use of the ball. So far, particularly in the middle sector, Brazil have looked sluggish and will need to look to get the ball forward toward the likes of Robinho and Roberto Firmino as quickly as possible.

At the end of the group session, Robinho, Willian, Diego Tardelli, Philippe Coutinho and David Luiz stayed behind for extra shooting practice. Whether anything can be read into that remains to be seen, but following on from the win against Venezuela, there is sound reasoning to expect Robinho, Willian, Coutinho and Luiz to be in the starting lineup.

After Firmino netted against Venezuela, and having completed his transfer to Liverpool, one would expect his confidence to be sky-high as he appears to be winning his battle with Tardelli to lead the line for Brazil during this competition. At 23 years old, he is certainly the long-term option.

This time four years ago, Brazil found themselves frustrated by a disciplined Paraguay side that didn’t let them get out of second gear. Brazil have thus far flattered to deceive in Chile; the time is nigh for a change.

Predicted team to face Paraguay: Jefferson; Dani Alves, Miranda, Thiago Silva, Filipe Luis; David Luiz, Elias; Willian, Philippe Coutinho, Robinho and Roberto Firmino.