Tite’s job is safer now than it was the last time Brazil were preparing to host the Copa América, just two years ago. But his job security has little to do with the fact that he led the team to glory at that tournament, giving Brazilian fans their first major silverware in 12 years. Rather, his position has been strengthened after an argument over where – and whether – this year’s Copa América should be played. Brazilian football is in such a crisis off the field that it cannot deal with any more disruption on it.
The Copa América was meant to be co-hosted by Colombia and Argentina this year but, after social unrest erupted in Colombia and Covid-19 cases surged in Argentina, Conmebol bafflingly decided to move the tournament to Brazil, even though the country is suffering from both of these issues. More than 480,000 people have been lost to the virus in Brazil, where similar numbers have taken to the streets to protest against the mishandling of the pandemic by president Jair Bolsonaro.
Tite and his players were unhappy about the tournament being moved to Brazil and it looked as if they would pull out in protest as soon as they had fulfilled their two World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay this week, both of which Brazil won, continuing their 100% record in qualifying.
Brazil captain Casemiro did not attend the press conference before the Ecuador match and then told the press after the match “everyone knows what we think”, raising the hopes of fans who were against the idea of Brazil hosting the event while amid a health crisis. Even Neymar, who is often criticised for being out of touch with the realities of life back home and for not taking positions on important matters, was said to be leading the movement along with the Real Madrid midfielder.
Their perceived rebellion did not go down well with president Bolsonaro or the Brazilian football federation, who were apparently preparing to sack Tite and replace him with the staunch Bolsonaro supporter Renato Gaúcho. Tite drew most of the ire from right-wing politicians. Bolsonaro’s eldest son Flávio, a senator in Rio de Janeiro, called the manager a “hypocrite” and an “apple polisher” for Lula, the former Brazil president. Bolsonaro’s vice-president Hamilton Mourão also mocked Tite, telling him “go ahead, resign” and joking that the mid-table side Cuiabá were in need of a new manager.
The head of the Brazilian football federation, Rogério Caboclo, was also fiercely critical of the manager. But, just as it looked as if Tite might lose his job, Caboclo was accused of sexual harassment by a former employee of the federation. He denied the allegations but then audio recordings allegedly made by the victim emerged in which he seemingly asked her if she masturbates. He also allegedly called her a “little dog”, offered her dog biscuits and barked at her. Caboclo says he is innocent and is “absolutely certain” he will prove it, but the federation has suspended him for 30 days and he is unlikely to return.
Facing pressure from the team’s various sponsors, the football federation backed down and told Tite – who has only lost one competitive game in his five years in charge, the 2018 World Cup quarter-final against Belgium – that his job was safe and that he would be the man to lead Brazil in Qatar next year. Furthermore, Bolsonaro has declared he will not interfere, saying he has “no sway over coaches”.
Despite the seeming shift of power in their favour, the players decided against a boycott of the Copa. They said they were “unsatisfied” with the way the tournament had been arranged but that they would play on regardless. “We are against organising the Copa América, but we will never say no to the Brazilian national team,” said the players in a joint statement.
The decision and meek statement from the players left many fans feeling short-changed, especially when Marquinhos said that political opinions should be held only “at home, in private” and Tite failed to even express his opinion on the matter. Walter Casagrande, a teammate of the great Sócrates, who took on the military dictatorship in the 1980s, criticised the players, saying: “Take a real attitude, of a man. It’s cowardice what the national team players are doing.”
To the actual football, then. Brazil are the form team in South America, where they top the World Cup qualifying group, sitting six points clear of second-placed Argentina. They have won all six of their qualifiers so far, keeping five clean sheets and averaging 2.6 goals per game. They have a healthy mix of veterans and young players in their squad and are favourites to retain the trophy on home soil. Dani Alves, who was Brazil’s captain and the player of the tournament in 2019, has not made the squad but Neymar, who was injured just before the last Copa, is back to lead the team.
Champions League winner Thiago Silva is likely to form a solid centre-back partnership with Marquinhos, with the much-improved Éder Militão ready to step up when required. Tite tends to pick the Juventus pair Alex Sandro and Danilo as full-backs even though Emerson looks promising at right-back and Renan Lodi has impressed this season at left-back for Atlético Madrid.
Fred, who was seen as a waste of a seat on the plane to Russia for the World Cup in 2018, has improved and is likely to partner Casemiro in defensive midfield behind the more attacking Lucas Paquetá and Neymar.
Tite will be without the injured Philippe Coutinho and he has a choice to make between Robert Firmino – who is out of sorts but well adapted to the system – and Gabriel “Gabigol” Barbosa, the best striker in Brazil in the last few years and one of just three home-based players in the 24-man squad along with his Flamengo teammate Éverton Ribeiro and the third-choice goalkeeper Weverton of Palmeiras. The right side of attack is a toss up between Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus, who might even make it on to the pitch together if Tite opts for a more attacking formation. In goal, Ederson might finally take the No 1 spot from Alisson, who has been through a difficult year in his professional and personal life.
There will be no fans present given the surge of Covid-19 across Brazil. Yet, considering that Brazil were booed in their opening game of the last Copa for failing to score in the first half an eventual 3-0 win over Bolivia, this may be a blessing in disguise. Avoiding having to play in front of middle-class Bolsonaro supporters – the few people in Brazil who can afford tickets – may also be best for Tite. Although, when his team faces Venezuela in the opening match on Sunday night in Brasilia, no doubt Bolsonaro will be present.
from Football | The Guardian https://ift.tt/2RLYJBA
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