Dunga Must Find Perfect Balance to Restore Faith in Brazil Ahead of Copa America

With Roy Hodgson’s decision to load up his England squad with just about every available striker at his disposal, the national team boss may be going some way to shaking off the rather harsh label he has been given as a defensive coach.

Dunga, his counterpart at the helm of Brazil’s national ship, has faced similar criticisms during his second spell in charge of the Selecao.

However, heading into Brazil’s Copa America opener against Ecuador this coming Saturday, he could be afforded a chance to redeem himself in the eyes of those critics who believe his particular brand of football is dour and an insult to the country that brought such collective efforts as the 1970 World Cup-winning side, and creatively liberal individuals such as Garrincha, Didi, Pele, Zico and Romario, to name just five from a list of names that could frankly fill volumes.

For this tournament, Dunga has armed himself with options to be flexible tactically, something he was more than willing to try out against Panama on Sunday. Clearly, there will be sterner tests ahead but, with the absence of Neymar, the onus is on a new front line and creative midfield to find the goals.

Despite the seemingly constant doom and gloom (link in Portuguese), Brazil have weapons in their armoury and, with a defensive back line almost as good as confirmed, Dunga can focus his efforts on finding the right balance in the final third of the field.

The back five of Alisson, Daniel Alves, Miranda, Gil and Douglas Santos is a solid foundation on which Dunga can build an adventurous attack. Added in the holding role is Luiz Gustavo and the bottom half of Brazil’s start almost picks itself for this competition.

The one doubt remains at left back. Following Champions League duty, Filipe Luis and Casemiro have now joined up with the squad to complete the 23-man group, and the former, having already displaced Marcelo in the starting lineup could reclaim his place over Atletico Mineiro’s Santos.

But it is in front of the back four where the key is held to balancing the team. At last year’s Copa America in Chile, the influence of Gustavo was sorely missed in the holding role, and Brazil rarely looked comfortable going forward, never truly …

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