Brazil is set to clash with Paraguay in their Copa America Group D fixture in Las Vegas on Friday, following a frustrating scoreless tie against Costa Rica in their initial match. This result has left the five-time World Cup champions pondering ways to enhance their attacking prowess. Despite controlling the ball for the majority of the game, Brazil struggled to penetrate Costa Rica's robust five-man defensive line. Although they had numerous opportunities around the box, they were unable to convert, with only three out of 19 shots hitting the target. Paraguay, having suffered a 2-1 defeat to Colombia, is anticipated to adopt a similar defensive strategy as Costa Rica, presenting another hurdle for Brazil's 62-year-old coach, Dorival Jr. He must devise tactics to break through such defenses and improve his team's accuracy in front of the goal. Midfielder Lucas Paqueta, who was quite active against Costa Rica but missed several chances, attributes Brazil's issues to mental rather than tactical factors, emphasizing the need for patience. The absence of Neymar, recuperating from a knee injury, has led to expectations that rising star Vinicius Jr, fresh from a stellar season with Real Madrid, would play a pivotal role. However, his performance was lackluster, and he was substituted after 70 minutes, leaving many puzzled as Brazil continued to miss opportunities. The frustration even led to an altercation involving captain Danilo and a fan. Forward Rodrygo acknowledged the need for improvement, dismissing excuses about the pitch or defensive tactics. Despite the pressure from fans and media to start the promising 17-year-old Endrick, Dorival is hesitant to make changes. Endrick has previously shown promise, scoring crucial goals in earlier matches under Dorival's management, but the coach prefers a cautious approach. With Brazil now on a five-game winless streak in competitive matches, their worst in 23 years, Dorival might soon have to reconsider his strategy.
Text: Lara Palmer
27.06.2024
After a Disappointing Draw with Costa Rica, Brazil Seeks Solutions to Break Through Defenses