A little less flair, a higher chance?

Brazilian football is equivalent to extraordinary skills, tricks, attacks and no boring football. It is appealing but does not always translate to trophies, especially when facing the less impromptu and more tactical teams in Europe. Being the host of the World Cup again after 64 years, Brazil is keen to better the runner-up they achieved last time on home soil.

They have the perfect man to lead them. Luiz Felipe Scolari has had a successful career at international level and brought Brazil the last Jules Rimet Trophy in 2002. He is the man who knows how to bring the best out of Brazil.

Trophy, no problem?

They know the weather; they won the Confederation Cup last year by crushing Spain. Nonetheless, Brazil is still not being regarded as the absolute favourite of the tournament. One of the many reasons is the lack of formidable strikers. Pele, Zico, Romario, Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho were once the source of goals that Brazil can confidently rely on their attacking football to conquer the world. This time, it is Fred and Jo to lead the front – both plying their trade in Brazil after unsuccessful periods in Europe –, supported by the talented Neymar who has yet to prove himself on the big stage following a disappointing year at Barcelona. Despite his terrific national goalscoring record, this is not a frightening frontline at all.

Can the midfield compensate for the shortage in creativity? Not if Hulk is in the starting lineup again. He wins the heart of Scolari but is not as brilliant as suggested by his price tag. His left foot is powerful but overall his style is just too predictable (remember Adriano, anyone?). The best source of flair should come from Oscar, although his drop of form late in the season would worry Big Phil. In truth, Oscar has been restless since Olympics 2012 representing both his country and club. This might give Oscar's clubmate Willian a shot at the no. 10 position, who, under Mourinho's nurture, has matured significantly in the last 12 months.  

The Chelsea duo will fight for a starting berth

The front does not look reassuring, so is the back. They have got one of the best defenders in the world, Thiago Silva. Unfortunately, defence is all about teamwork, which could be non-existent when your second best centreback is David Luiz. He makes himself one of the most expensive defender in the world, but he has only ever been a liability at Stamford Bridge. The momentarily brilliance of his freekicks and long shots could not make up for his carelessness and unawareness at defence. With Brazil have always been in favour of playing advancing full backs, featuring La Liga rivals Marcelo and Dani Alves this time, but with his roaming forward with freedom, David Luiz does not give you the confidence of balancing attack and defence at the centreback position as Lucio once displayed.

What Scolari has got, though, is a solid mix of central midfields, which is comparable to the Gilberto Silva - Kleberson partnership in 2002. Having enjoyed a triumphant season with Manchester City, Fernandinho emerges to be Scolari's prime option in midfield, despite not being selected in the Confederation Cup last year. Another serious contender is Ramires, who was also not in the squad last year having fallen out with Scolari for dropping out of a friendly match against Russia earlier in the year. The two Premier League players are both all-rounded and box-to-box which are essential to Brazil, who often plays with an open and attacking game with flying fullbacks.  

Limiting David Luiz's craziness could be the key to success

The starting pair last June, Luiz Gustavo and Paulinho, enriches Big Phil's options in the position, if he is in need of an anchorman or a more advancing midfielder. Having had to settle in their new clubs, they have both gone through an up-and-down season, but still have a part to play in the national team. 29 years old Hernanes is also Scolari's man-to-turn-to if tempo-controlling and possession-retaining is the key priority during the match.

Decided against calling up Kaka, Ronaldinho, Lucas Moura or Robinho, there is less flair and individualism in the team, but shows Scolari's belief that unity and teamwork are the ingredients for World Cup success. Turning this decent team to the best in global this summer will not be straightforward, but could be the most important and notable achievement of Big Phil's managerial career.