Brazil Failed at Copa and Is Currently 4th in WC Qualifying. Why Have the Football Wizards Fallen Apart?

The most obvious problem is the coaching situation. Brazil has yet to find a worthy replacement for Tite. Carlo Ancelotti didn’t trade Madrid for the beaches of Rio, so the "Seleção" once again turned to local coaches. They attempted a fresh approach with Fernando Diniz. Still, he wasn’t given enough time to make it to Copa America, and now Dorival Júnior is struggling.

There are serious concerns about the current coach's squad selection. While it's understandable to call up players from the domestic league, such as the 28-year-old Fabrício Bruno who showed promise, Dorival is also recalling players who are past their prime. Lucas Moura, for instance, was called up for the last training camp, despite his waning form. Willian Azevedo, who played decently for Wolfsburg five years ago, was also invited, despite being out for two years due to an ACL injury. And during the Copa, Wendel, a player who was no longer needed by Bayer Leverkusen, was given a chance. These are just a few examples of the coach's questionable selections.

Significant personnel issues exist in certain positions. On the left in defense, aside from Wendel, there’s Guilherme Arana, who flopped in Europe, and Carlos Augusto is the only alternative from the top clubs. There’s also an emerging crisis on the other flank: Danilo doesn’t play a key role under Thiago Motta, and Emerson is struggling at Milan. Upfront, there are no standout options either: 18-year-old Endrick, average Evanilson, and troubled Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus.

Moreover, the team is lacking a leader-playmaker. While Brazil has a generation of standout wingers, solid defensive/central midfielders, and powerful center-backs, there’s a noticeable absence of a player who can orchestrate the team's operations like Neymar, Philippe Coutinho, or even Roberto Firmino used to. Lucas Paquetá and Andreas Pereira, while talented, are not at that level.

Published by Patrick Jane
11.10.2024