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Keeping up with South America - Brazil News

Matias Vulej, June 10 2010,
World's favorite will be looking forward to return home with its sixth title. Dunga's new strategy, almost scientific, opposes to everything we know about Brazil, but their prowess in football can never be questioned.

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Related Articles: Brazil, Fifa World Cup, South America, Kaka
Dunga was Brazil's captain in 1994 and under his command the Cariocas claimed another title for their bookcase. With almost no experience as coach he took command of Brazil's cruise showing perfect skills, claiming 2007's Copa America and 2009's Confederation Cup. Brazil's performance during the qualifying stages has broken records, receiving only 11 goals in 18 matches while scoring 33 (an average of almost two per game), claiming the first position and suffering only 2 losses).

 

Julio Cesar is probably the best goalkeeper at the moment, keeping Internazionale's goal shut throught all Europe and Italy, and learning from his mistakes match after match. His solidity between the posts will be fundamental for the squad to be confident their attempts to claim victory will be fruitful.

Robinho's sharpness will be fundamental for Brazil to claim the titleBrazil's formation is a classic 4-3-1-2, with Kaka adopting a key role as conductor of its team's offensive. Robinho and Luis Fabiano (team's top striker) complete the offensive trident, even though Maicon and Elano have indeed a key offensive role. Luis Fabiano's efficiency made him Dunga's choice over historical players as Adriano and Ronaldo (who scored more goals than any other in a world competition), and he knows he'll need to lift world's most coveted trophy to become another legend.

Lucio and Juan have been responsible for keeping Brazil's goal shut for the last six years, and now Julio Cesar made it within the starting eleven (he was Brazil's third goalkeeper in the last world competition), the Verdeamarelho have one of the toughest defenses to break in this competition. Both central defenders dominate aerial play and have an exquisite foot for long passes. Maicon and Michel Bastos can associate with Kaka and join the offense, for Brazil's classic weapon has always been the counter attack.

Elano is the bearer of Dunga's strategy, an adaptable player with exquisite skills as a gunner and the usual executor of Brazil's free kicks, having played 42 matches and scoring 6 goals. If nothing works Dunga can always take advantage of Carioca's specialist headers: Luisao, Julio Baptista and many others. Elano declared the team "feels like home" in South Africa and that they have reached a peak during the training prior to this competition. Everyone is expecting to see the Canarinha advance deep into this competition, and Dunga is feeding their dreams of recovering the title after four years.

Brazil's teamplay is what makes their stars shine at their brightestGilberto Silva and Felipe Melo have their place secured within the starting squad, even though Ramires have shown skills to become Robinho's partner on the left side. Felipe Melo has not gone through a good year in the Italian league, while Ramires has never stopped showing his best in the Brazilian league and the Copa Libertadores. The two goals he scored during the last friendly match might bring him an opportunity to be within the starting eleven at least for one match.

Brazil is standing at the first position of the FIFA ranking, having performed in 18 world competitions, winning 64 of the 92 matches, with 75% efficiency , scoring 201 goals and receiving only 84.

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