Brazil – World Cup 2010 Preview #25 (Group G)

Appearances at World Cup finals: 18 (all WCs)

Best ever performance: Champions in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002 (won all games in 1970 and 2002)

Famous moment in WC history: The defeat against Uruguay in the 1950 final, at a packed Maracanã. This defeat, dubbed the Maracanazo, had a huge impact on the national team, causing a change in the kit’s color from the then traditional white to yellow, and ostracizing most of the players involved in that game. The defeat also reinforced theories that players of non-white origin couldn’t perform in decisive games. These theories were finally forgotten when Brazil won the World Cup 8 years later with Pelé and Garrincha leading the team.

The Lowdown: Brazil are managed by 1994 champions Dunga, a pragmatic kind of manager who overcame initial criticism to firmly establish himself as the manager for the World Cup.

His Brazil play in a variation of Brazilian 4-4-2, with an attacking right-back (Maicon), two central defenders (Lúcio and Juan), a left-back that sometimes work as a 3rd central defender (Michel Bastos), two defensive midfielders (Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo), one of them being more attacking minded (Felipe Melo), a third also defensive minded midfielder (Elano) whose purpose is also to connect with the attacking right-back and deliver long passes and free kicks, an attacking midfielder to lead the counter-attacks (Kaká), a more mobile forward (Robinho) and a more fixed one (Luís Fabiano).

As the team and tactical setup suggests, Brazil play a counter-attacking style, which is very effective against strong teams, but leave the team struggling against teams playing all out defense. The use of set pieces is also very important, taking advantage of Elano’s ability to deliver them, and of the presence of several tall, strong players in the squad.

Brazil are, as usual, expected to fight for the title, and having won the Copa América in 2007 and the Confederations Cup in 2009, they are strong favorites alongside Spain.

Qualification: Brazil overall didn’t have much trouble to qualify, guaranteeing their spot with a couple of games in hand, but the team did struggle at home where they tied 0-0 against Bolivia, Colombia and Argentina and only started to confirm the expectation by matchday 13, when beating Uruguay 4-0 in Montevideo.

The line-up didn’t change much from the start to end of the Qualification, with Mineiro and Ronaldinho losing their places to Felipe Melo and Elano. And Luís Fabiano taking one of the striking positions. Then and now, the main problem of the team has been the left-back, with Dunga trying several ones such as Gilberto, Marcelo and Kléber.

Top scorer in qualifying: Luís Fabiano (9 goals)

All-time World Cup finals top scorer: Ronaldo (15 goals)

Key Player: Maicon, as one of the two best right-backs in the world, and having his biggest rival (Daniel Alves) as his bench warmer, he has great chances of being the best right-back in this World Cup.

One to Watch: Nilmar, who scored most of Brazil’s goals after the Confederations Cup, and if allowed to start in Robinho’s place, should be able to turn Brazil much more effective as he is arguably Brazil’s most complete striker, being very fast, having good technique and knowing how to finish.

On the move?: Ramires – he is already bringing attention from Internazionale and other big European teams, and with a good participation in the WC, he will certainly attract even more interest.

How far will Brazil go in South Africa? Tell us your thoughts below. And don’t forget to listen to the first ever Just Football World Cup special podcast in which we discuss the Selecão’s chances along with other favourites.

(photo credit: gee-raff on Flickr)

Brazil, Brazilian Football, Football in Latin America, Group G, Previews, World Cup 2010