Twenty-six names. In recent days, any debate in Brazil that runs away from whether or not to drink detergent involves trying to guess who will or will not go to the World Cup. On Monday (18), Carlo Ancelotti will please almost half and displease the rest of Brazil with his chosen and rejected.
When we try to imagine who will or won’t go to the United States, something seems clear to me: we lack full-backs (but there are also shortages for the other teams), there are too many players on the side of the field and there is a flagrant shortage of game-controlling midfielders.
In terms of goal, Brazil is certain of its players: Alisson, Ederson and Bento. What does not create security is the moment of the three. Alisson has been injured since the last FIFA date and is suffering from worrying physical instability. Ederson and Bento have attracted more attention for their mistakes than for their successes at their clubs.
In defense, Militão’s absence is superlative. A quick defender, with excellent aerial play and who would be capable of alleviating the absence of a great full-back on the right. Danilo does not seem to be the plan for eight games and Wesley does not have the defensive characteristics necessary for the team’s type of game.
The lack of good full-backs is not exclusive to Brazil. Argentina won with a combo of Montiel, Molina, Tagliafico and Acuña. In the Champions League semi-finals, Arsenal, Atlético de Madrid, Bayern and PSG used a combined four players in the eight positions (Nuno Mendes, Hakimi, Davies and Ruggeri). The others were makeshift defenders or midfielders.
In midfield, Brazil has two guarantees: Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães. Defensive, destructive, with good second line arrival and long passing. They are not players who set up the game with a telescope, who seek association all the time, who offer constant help when the team is under pressure. And that’s the problem. Fabinho and Andrey Santos don’t offer that either. And Danilo or Lucas Paquetá have styles that don’t complement or dialogue with those of the starters.
In attack, Vinicius, Raphinha, Martinelli and Matheus Cunha start at the front. The idea is to have a fast and mobile attack, capable of pressing without the ball, making quick attacks against closed defenses and counterattacking rivals who put pressure on the Brazilian defense. Luiz Henrique and João Pedro have similar characteristics and are also in. Endrick, explosive and revolutionary, is quite a weapon for generating chaos in indecipherable games. And Igor Thiago is the center forward for plan B when plan A fails. Playing the ball in the box and hoping for a big, burly guy to get the upper hand or generate an offensive rebound.
Here we have 25 names. One left. Rayan was on the last list, but he is something very similar to Endrick or Luiz Henrique. Pedro would serve the same plan B that Igor Thiago already serves. Paquetá, Danilo and Andrey can occupy three places instead of two. The problem here is adding to them the fixed names Casemiro, Bruno and Fabinho. And having six players for two positions that seem to be the most untouchable in the scheme: midfielders who defend well and quickly connect the attackers.
The last place could even go to Neymar. There is a possible vacancy for someone different, capable of opening defenses with a move that no one sees. Someone who positions himself well to receive and pass, opening up a super tight defense. The vacancy is there and the big question that Brazil has is whether, in Carlo Ancelotti’s opinion, the candidate was approved or failed.
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