Despite the controversial nature of how Brazil was eliminated from the Copa America Centenario, many Brazilian fans despised the manager, Dunga, for a variety of reasons. The biggest reason, primarily is that Dunga is a defensive minded manager who doesn’t play the “beautiful style” that Brazil and fans are known for.
That would be an issue but at this same issue took place six years ago, Dunga managed the Brazilian National Team the first time. He managed the team from 2006-2010 and managed Brazil in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Brazil got knocked out in the Quarterfinals and nobody liked Dunga’s tactical style so he was sacked. So why did Brazil hire him back knowing this and why are they shocked that they got a highly defensive style at the Copa America?
Well a big reason was it seemed Brazil panicked after Luiz Felipe Scolari resigned following the 7-1 defeat by Germany in the 2014 World Cup. Considering they gave up 10 goals in their final two games, Dunga was a defensive minded manager who could give the defense a much needed makeover.
The result was what they got in Dunga’s first tenure. A very defensive plan that isn’t easy to look at and a team that can grind away results. Brazil’s defensive ability showed that in the Copa America. Brazil only allowed two goals in the entire tournament. Unfortunately for them, Brazil’s seven goals were all scored against Haiti and could not score against Ecuador and Peru. Because of their lack of scoring against teams in the top 50 of the FIFA rankings (and their best players are not in the Copa America and instead likely in the Olympics), Brazil was knocked out.
There were calls from the Brazilian fans to sack Dunga before the tournament, that’s definitely the case now. But in all reality, no one can really be shocked about a lack of scoring and lack of excitement from a manager who showed that on Brazil six years ago. Maybe Dunga should be sacked and maybe he shouldn’t have been hired in the first place in 2014. If this didn’t work the first time and you try to do the same, you kind of have to reap what you sew when you do just that. Surely this will cause some concerns leading into the 2018 World Cup.
