Forget Jogo Bonito - Brazil are a mess!

Brazil is currently facing significant challenges, with a lack of victories in their last four matches, numerous injuries plaguing the team, and uncertainty surrounding their managerial situation, all as the Copa America approaches.

The Brazilian national team is facing significant challenges and seems to be in a precarious position ahead of upcoming friendlies against England and Spain. There are doubts about whether they can reverse their current struggles.

In 2023, Brazil appeared to have secured the services of Carlo Ancelotti as their next manager. There was confidence in this decision, with FA president Ednaldo Rodrigues even suggesting that Fluminense manager Fernando Diniz would aid in the transition to Ancelotti's leadership. However, despite the initial optimism, Ancelotti ultimately opted to extend his contract with Real Madrid. Consequently, Brazil finds itself with its third interim manager since Tite's departure in December 2022, highlighting the ongoing instability both on and off the field for the Selecao.

There is little indication of improvement for Brazil, as they grapple with injuries to key players and a lack of form among established club performers in the national team setup. This goes beyond a temporary downturn for the most successful national team in football history. The once dominant five-time World Cup champions now appear vulnerable, experiencing instability both in their on-field performances and managerial transitions.

With yet another new manager taking charge, this moment feels pivotal. Facing upcoming friendlies against European giants England and Spain, Brazil must take decisive steps forward to instill confidence and momentum in their campaign.

Brazilian National Team Challenges

18 months of managerial chaos

Tite had always indicated that he would step down after the 2022 World Cup, but many doubted he would follow through, especially considering Brazil's disappointing performance in Qatar. Despite being one of the tournament favorites, their quarter-final defeat to an aging Croatia side was deeply disappointing.

Nevertheless, Tite stuck to his word and resigned, leaving the Brazilian FA scrambling to find a replacement. The ensuing managerial chaos began with Ramon Menezes taking over on an interim basis, only to be swiftly replaced after a heavy defeat to Senegal.
Carlo Ancelotti was initially expected to take the helm, but instead, the FA turned to Fernando

Diniz, a somewhat surprising choice. While Diniz had previously won the Copa Libertadores with Fluminense, he had a reputation for short-lived managerial spells and lacked stability. While Diniz's track record suggested he could deliver success, his tendency to move between clubs frequently raised questions about his suitability for providing the stability the team needed.

Poor form and mistakes aplenty

Diniz's tenure saw Brazil struggle, with only two victories in their first five matches under his leadership. Despite possessing some of the world's finest attacking talent, the team managed to score just eight goals in those fixtures.

Defensively, Brazil faced challenges as well. While Marquinhos and Gabriel formed a solid central defensive partnership, vulnerabilities emerged on the wings. Vinicius Jr and Raphinha's forward runs left the full-back positions exposed, a weakness that opponents exploited. Diniz failed to effectively address this issue, leading to recurrent defensive lapses.

In matches against Colombia and Uruguay, Brazil conceded goals through similar scenarios, with opponents exploiting space on the left flank and delivering dangerous balls into the box. While Venezuela's late equalizer may have been difficult to prevent, the initial danger stemmed from a similar area on the pitch.

The Argentina embarrassment

The match against Argentina carried immense significance for Brazil, despite the absence of traditional "must-win" scenarios outside major tournaments. With the Selecao experiencing a rare three-match losing streak and facing the prospect of their first-ever home loss in World Cup qualifying, the pressure was palpable.

Preceding the kickoff, tensions escalated as Brazil and Argentina fans clashed, with local authorities struggling to contain the unrest. There were even discussions about abandoning the match, with Lionel Messi leading his team into the dressing room in protest.

Despite the chaotic buildup, the game proceeded, resulting in a disappointing outcome for Diniz and Brazil. Both teams were drawn into a dull midfield battle, and Nicolas Otamendi's 63rd-minute header secured a 1-0 victory for Argentina. The lackluster performance further compounded Diniz's precarious position, ultimately leading to his dismissal.

World Cup qualification fears

Brazil now faces the looming possibility of failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, a scenario that seemed unlikely given the tournament's expansion to include 48 teams, with six out of 11 South American teams securing qualification. Statistically, it's more challenging to miss out on qualification than to secure a spot.

However, as it stands, Brazil would find themselves in a precarious playoff position if qualification were finalized today, sitting sixth in the table with only seven points from six matches—winning two and losing three. While there's still confidence that Brazil will turn their fortunes around, the extreme pressure they face at this stage of the football calendar is unfamiliar territory for a team of their caliber.

An injury crisis

The challenges for the Selecao are compounded by a string of injuries they're grappling with. Neymar's ACL tear dealt a significant blow during the match against Uruguay, raising doubts about his future appearances in the iconic yellow shirt.

However, it's not just Neymar who's absent; the team is missing key players across various positions. The new manager had to exclude 13 players from his initial 50-man squad for this window. Notable absences include top-class goalkeepers Alisson Becker and Ederson, as well as defenders Gabriel, Marquinhos, and Eder Militao. Midfield stalwart Casemiro and promising forward Gabriel Martinelli are also sidelined.

With half of a potential full-strength starting lineup unavailable and a manager lacking experience at the national level, there's little cause for optimism at the moment.

The man charged with changing it all

The Selecao have now appointed their third interim manager within a span of 15 months, following a brief period of anticipation after believing they had secured a top-tier coach. The latest addition to the coaching staff, Dorival Junior, comes with a somewhat underwhelming track record. Despite being a seasoned figure in Brazil's Serie A, Dorival has never clinched a top-flight league title, with the 2022 Copa Libertadores being his sole major triumph.

However, there's a notable context to this appointment. The interim manager had to be Brazilian, reflecting a shortage of high-caliber coaches emerging from the country in recent times. Consequently, this selection doesn't exactly instill confidence. Nevertheless, Dorival has expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to lead the team.

In an interview with the Guardian, Dorival emphasized the importance of community involvement in finding solutions to the team's challenges. He welcomed suggestions from the public on how to address the issues and expressed a desire to rebuild a team that inspires confidence and resonates with the fans.

Conclusion

Gareth Southgate could find himself in a favorable position amid the current situation. England's squad isn't performing at its peak, but rather than requiring a complete overhaul, it needs fine-tuning ahead of Euro 2024. Concerns linger regarding Harry Kane's ankle injuries, doubts persist about Jordan Henderson's midfield prowess, and there's ongoing debate about Harry Maguire's reliability in defense. Nevertheless, when viewed broadly, this squad represents one of England's most talented groups in recent memory.

The focus during this international break is primarily on adjustments and refinement. These friendlies aren't intended for drastic changes or rebuilding processes. Ideally, Brazil would be using this time to finalize their Copa America squad, addressing issues such as selecting a dependable striker and determining the best full-back to support Vinicius Jr. However, they are instead confronted with numerous uncertainties across the pitch, under the leadership of a manager who may struggle to provide definitive answers.