This article is part of the Guardian’s 2018 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 32 countries who have qualified for Russia. theguardian.com is running previews from two countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 14 June.
In Brazil’s most recent friendlies, Tite struggled to find players who could infiltrate five-man defensive lines of the kind used by Antonio Conte at Chelsea. Two were required in particular: a midfielder able to work close to the penalty area and a No 9 with physical presence. As nobody was found, the coach has selected Shakhtar Donetsk’s Taison in his 23 – but the winger seems somewhat redundant, as he is similar to three other players in the squad.
It means Philippe Coutinho – who is used to weaving inside from one of the flanks – could be pushed into a role conducting the midfield from a central position and serving the players who come running and dribbling in from both sides. There are a swarm of attacking options from wide: Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Willian, Roberto Firmino, Marcelo. This is far from certain though and it is equally possible he will start out on the right. The days before the World Cup will be decisive.
The motto “never try in a cup what you have never tested before” has prevailed in a predictable selection – advice Tite has received from former players such as Rivellino, Gerson and Zico. So Brazil arrive at the World Cup placing their bets on speed over the field. Despite their width they have very little inclination to cross the ball: Tite has imposed a very organised method based on playing in triangles, with aggressive full-backs – a Brazilian tradition – always close to the holding midfielders in order to build up moves from the inside.
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