Dunga and Brazil Must Take off Shackles at Copa America in Bid for Identity

While Wednesday’s Copa America group-stage clash with Haiti does not represent a “must-win” fixture in terms of elimination for Brazil, following the Selecao’s slumbering goalless opener against Ecuador, the pressure only continues to mount on boss Dunga.

This is quickly becoming far more critical than simply a series of disappointments. Reaction to Saturday night’s game in the Brazilian press is firmly pointing the blame for Brazil’s lack of verve firmly at their beleaguered boss, with former player Roger Flores claiming the manager took too long to change his side (via SporTV, link in Portuguese).

Dunga needs more than just the three points on offer, which may well have been his original pragmatic approach to this encounter. He needs to prove—in emphatic fashion—that he is capable of turning around what is fast taking on the appearance of a sinking ship.

In theory, Haiti will be the weakest side Brazil should face at this competition. Bizarrely, that may make Brazil’s job, and that of Dunga, even tougher on Wednesday evening.

The 2007 Caribbean Cup champions are likely to sit back, inviting Brazil onto them and try to hit on the counter, similar to the game plan successfully executed by Ecuador this past weekend.

If they manage to mark efficiently and press the ball continually, then Brazil will be forced to come up with something far more inspired than they managed on Saturday, and overcoming in the process the disease that has become known in this corner of the world as Neymar-dependencia.

Arguably the most concerning aspect of this alarming slump in form since the World Cup has been the lack of identity the Brazilian national side now has. The FIFA tournament back in 2014 was, according to the fairytales banded about beforehand, supposed to return Brazil to the pinnacle.

The Selecao would not only be back on top of the international football pyramid, they would have exorcised the ghosts of 1950, when defeat to Uruguay at the Maracana sent the country into shock. Two years ago, Brazil did not even make it to the Rio de Janeiro stadium.

Since then, the team has almost been sleepwalking at times. Eliminated at the quarter-final stage of last year’s Copa America and currently sixth in the South …

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