Brazil is not the invincible team of decades past and had a disastrous time hosting the 2014 World Cup, a title most experts thought they would take easily to avenge the nightmare that was the Maracanazo of 1950.
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Brazil began their Copa America campaign with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador in their Group B encounter at the Rose Bowl. “It’s a team that knows how to play collectively”, Dunga told reporters.
The match kicked off in sweltering late afternoon temperatures of around 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius) and the energy-sapping conditions contributed to a lacklustre spectacle.
The coach noted that thanks to the heat in the south west of America, keeping the ball and making them work will be key.
Javier “Chicharito” Hernansez is coming off his most successful European season, having scored 26 goals from 40 matches for Bayer Leverkusen in 2015-16.
‘I think it’s going to be about possession, ‘ he said, which is something Brazil fans want the team to be comfortable with.
Midfielder Luiz Gustavo has become the sixth player to be dropped from Brazil’s Copa America squad, throwing their preparations for the tournament’s centenary edition into disarray.
The Selecao aren’t in spectacular form as they won only three out of last seven games, sitting in the fifth place in CONMEBOL qualifications for the 2018 World Cup. Nineteen year-old striker Gabriel – nicknamed Gabigol for his prolific scoring – was one of several Olympic-age players chosen by coach Dunga for this tournament as he looks ahead to the Rio 2016 Games in August.
Dunga’s five-time World Cup winners will be favoured to emerge from Group B, where they also face Haiti and Peru. “Together we can go far in the competition”, Willian was quoted as saying by his club, Chelsea’s website on Friday.
Brazil will play their next match against Haiti at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Thursday.
“We have quite an important game, but perhaps the one after that is even more important for Ecuador”, he said, indicating a draw would be a good result.
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The Copa America has a reputation for providing skilful, scintillating football and plenty of goals. In the last game played between them, Brazil were also more successful, beating Ecuador 1:0 after Neymar’s brilliant assist to Willian.
