Evaluating Big Phil's Brazil

For a country which partying is as famous as football, you would hardly expect the national football team to show up in friendly matches. A string of below-par performance has raised the question whether Luis Scolari is the man to lead Brazil. His glorious moments in World Cup 2002 have got him the job, but have also brought himself enormous pressure.

Silva is the man Big Phil can rely on

The Confederation Cup is the only competitive tournament, first in two, that Scolari can re-evaluate his squad selection with before the World Cup in home soil. It would be no surprise the majority of the 23 men selected for this World Cup rehearsal tournament will form the backbone of the Brazil squad next year. Not a very good news to Kaka, Ronaldinho, Robinho and Willian though.

4-2-3-1 has become a trend in modern football that Scolari can only resist in replicating the 3-4-2-1 formation which earned him the trophy in Asia. In truth, there are not enough Brazilian defenders in this generation that possess the sense of positioning to play a 3-men defensive line, not to mention the lack of sophisticated defensive midfielders comparable to Dunga, Sampaio, Emerson or Gilberto Silva to protect the backline.

It is rare to see two centrebacks constantly switching positions during a match – with David Luiz’s undying urge to surge forward and reappearing wherever he wants. Thiago Silva’s class is one of the answers that the constant switching works, so far, and the other reason is the lack of genuine threats. With Brazil bagging two wins from two uneventful matches, Italy await the Samba boys and more precisely, Balotelli will be a useful assessment of David Luiz’s true ability to succeed Lucio as a commanding, reliable and aggressive centreback he has self-portrayed as.

More than often, it is the Brazilian attack that creates a buzz. Their ability to score freely has historically made the susceptible defence less of a problem, but the quality and talents of the current attackers are still in doubt.

Will Kaka (left), Robinho (middle) and Ronaldinho have a second chance? 

Neymar is surely an exception. Already being captured by Barcelona this offseason, the 21-year-old has scored two spectacular volleys with both feet and has been orchestrating the team’s attacks. If Ronaldinho wonders why he is unlikely to represent his nation again, Neymar is the answer. With Brazil trying to build the team around Neymar, Ronaldinho never looks comfortable playing as a secondary playmaker.

Neymar is shining, so is Fred. Nevertheless, his incredible goalscoring form only earns more hesitation and questioning over his suitability in the young Brazilian side. Never the most mobile striker, Fred offers physicality and clinical finishing, but strangely there is limited appreciation over a striker who can score.

If one doubts Fred's age, Leandro Damiao and Jo are the alternatives, though yet to be proven on the big stage. Whoever is getting that spot will likely to be a shadow striker providing shielding to the more creative bunch behind him.

This is the area where Scolari is desperate to get it right, especially when he is not short of options. Lucas Moura is clearly a fan favourite. Although having spent more time on the bench, he still shows up as an impact substitution playing on the right.

Hulk (left) or Oscar on the right?

With Hulk cementing a starting position on the right wing, Oscar is pushed to the central playmaker role, a position which he is competent in but not yet adapted to, having been employed at the flanks in Chelsea all season long. With Paulinho more used to playing a more attacking role, Oscar is drawn into more defensive action then he would like to. After such a long season, the youngster still shows glimpses of brilliance, but Brazil would need him to be much sharper than this. 

This brings up another question. Why Hulk? His left foot can be exceptional and he was stellar back in the time with Porto, but his performance in the yellow shirt is just as horrendous as his season in Zenit. Lack of vision and poor decision-making of Hulk has destroyed Brazil's counter attacks numerous times. His ability to finish is equally poor.

If set piece is the reason he is in the starting line-up, sadly he hasn't yet delivered too. Those were the days when Scolari had free-kick options among Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho and Kaka. Now, maybe there is only Neymar.

With the midfield looking short in stability and solidity, Brazil will benefit without Hulk. Sandro, if fit, is anticipated to be the primary defensive midfielder, unless Luis Gustavo's raw talents will quickly be matured. Paulinho, Fernandinho, Hernanes, Ramires, Andersen and, don't forget Ganso, are all candidates for the central midfield role.

Being blessed with an excellent mix of midfield talents, Brazil can easily line up three midfielders, with both Paulinho and Fernandinho capable to play a more advanced role, and send Oscar or Lucas Moura to the right, while maintaining the gunfire in attack.

Options are there, but need to get the combination right

The key to triumph in a tournament is consistency, something Scolari's side has been failing to demonstrate. When anything less than a Confederation Cup final appearance equals failure, slacking against Italy is something Scolari could not afford. His talented squad has to learn to be a champion in order to secure Big Phil's place on the bench in 2014.