The last time Brazil fell to defeat against Peru was in 1985, but after 31 years of dominance the selecao were ejected from the 2016 Copa America by their less-illustrious neighbours in controversial style on Sunday night.
While there was more than a hint of handball about the goal which sealed Brazil’s fate, the failure to progress from a group which also involved Ecuador and Haiti was a new low in the recent history of football’s most decorated national team.
For that failure, head coach Dunga will almost certainly fall on his sword.
Lack of star quality
Deploying Neymar in the stands and pairing him with Bieber might not have been the right tactical call in the end. He's better as a forward.
— Total MLS (@TotalMLS) June 13, 2016
Confidence
It’s become cliche to reference it but Brazil are still not over their failure at the World Cup and the knock-on effect it’s had in terms of the country’s faith in the national team. There are other factors, such as the perceived brand of football they are playing, but there’s little love for the Selecao and that has been transmitted to the players, who aren’t 100 per cent sure of themselves whenever they step onto the field, through a mixture of the pressure to perform and change perceptions plus overall uncertainty. Brazil were once able to play with a languid and laissez faire freedom on the field but they currently operate in some kind of a mental straight jacket. It’ll take time, and some excellent coaching, to turn things around.No attacking threat
With no Neymar, Brazil’s forward play was perhaps their most alarming aspect. Placed in the easiest of the four Copa America groups, bar the 7-1 thrashing of Haiti – ranked 119 in the world – they failed to trouble fairly average opponents in Peru and Ecuador. [inlinesRelatedArticles] Dunga’s options were limited, with one-dimesional battering ram Hulk, Jonas – who enjoyed a fine season with Benfica but, at 32, lacks international pedigree – and teenager Gabriel; the 19-year-old becoming their best goal hope, which was an unfair expectation.Dunga’s tactics
Forever at odds with the idea of ‘Jogo Bonita’, Dunga now looks even more a relic than he did before the tournament kicked off. Granted, the Selecao only conceded two goals as they were eliminated, staying true to his defensive approach, but when you’re being pragmatic if you’re not securing results you’re leaving yourself open to criticism, especially as manager of Brazil.Brazil FA president Del Nero will meet Dunga (& NT coordinator Gilmar Rinaldi) on Tuesday. Corinthians manager Tite linked to the job.
— Paulo Freitas (@Cynegeticus) June 13, 2016
Organisational issues
The FIFA scandal of last year arguably resonated the most in Brazil with the population still angry at the cost of the 2014 World Cup amid a period of economic strife plus corruption within the CBF, with former presidents Jose Maria Marin and Marco Polo Del Negro both indicted. Given the recovery of the national side was entrusted in the hands of such individuals there’s no great surprise at the struggle they’re currently going through.It'll be a shame to see Dunga lose his job as Brazil manager in due course. But I'm heartened as we know he'll be hired again in 2019.
— James Tyler (@JamesTylerESPN) June 13, 2016