A lot has changed in the last three months. Filipe Luis, who had been highly successful with Flamengo as a coach, did not have a good start and was dismissed after excessive pressure from the fans. Portuguese coach Leonardo Jardim (former Monaco), who had left Cruzeiro by choice, took over the club from Rio de […]
Breaking into the samba dance had built the perfect tournament momentum for Brazil, but how momentum can be killed by the Croatians. Tite adjusted but had no solution against a midfield that rhymes and restricts so comfortably. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. On knockout soil, the war of attrition can become […]
Brazil had effectively tiptoed through the Group Stages, but it wasn’t without tactical tinkering from Tite to get them through, in the second half of their matches. We were yet to see the Samba at full throttle. But that was about to change. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. When Brazil travelled to Asia […]
After a slow start and great opposition pressure, Brazil solved passing issues down their left side to win. Sound familiar? The title may suggest a sequel, but Brazil had to problem-solve in a new way with a Neymar-less void in their attack. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker. Though famous for their […]
A slow tempo had appeared by design. Brazil’s buildup faced a strong Serbian defensive block, geared to shut down avenues on their left side of the field. Tite needed an answer and had a trick up his sleeve, the groundwork for the fantasy Brazillian goal to be scored. Tactical analysis and match report by Joel […]
After years of sluggishness, Brazil hasn’t assembled a squad as rich as this one in over a decade. Tite has developed a strong plan in both the offense and defense, but when such concrete steps have been taken, the flipside is that no nation carries a greater weight of expectation. No matter the situation, no […]
After a twelve year drought, Brazil win their ninth Copa América title with a well-deserved victory over Peru. The Peruvians tried to fend off Brazil with a well thought-out defensive plan, but Brazil’s wing play managed to progress through midfield and create chances anyway. Meanwhile, Brazil nullified Peru’s attack by nullifying star striker Paolo Guerrero. […]
Gabriel Jesus, Roberto Firmino, and Dani Alves carried Brazil past an Argentina that had their chances in the second half. Tactical analysis and match report by Om Arvind. Due to time constraints and a dearth of quality managers, it is quite a rare occurrence to see a well-drilled and tactically advanced team in international football. […]
With a 5-4-1 setup and very little pressing, Paraguay’s tactical intentions were clear from the start. A red card early in the second half led them to essentially parking the bus for the remainder of the match. The stern nature of their defense nullified much of Brazil’s attacking threat and it took a Gabriel Jesus […]
Peru struggled to cope against a well-structured and totally superior Brazil team, who cemented their place in the quarter-finals of the Copa América. Brazil picked Peru apart, effectively gaining possession back in great areas, as well as pulling their opponents out of shape thanks to constant switches and vertical passing. Tactical analysis and match report […]