For the past 15 years, give or take, Brazil has been close to terrible. Now, as of today, Brazil has reached that terrible state. Here's why.
1
The wrong players, coached the wrong way.
These players are quick, fast, and have skill. There's no doubting that they're good players. But there is something missing. As a whole, the team lacks structure with passing. There is little creative dribbling. It looks like the US and Mexico circa 1996. It seems like every opportunity Brazil gets, it swings the ball out wide, to players that do not deliver (in most cases) with creative dribbling, and they surge forward going for goal. It's the "score now" mentality. Can you believe it: I would argue that right now, the US and Mexico have better buildup possession than Brazil. How weird is that? That's beyond weird. I never thought I'd hear myself saying that. Yet, at this moment, I firmly believe it. The US and Mexico, despite their infirmities, have better slow, buildup, possession than Brazil. Brazil is going for goal every moment. It's like a frantic attack that yields half-chances as opposed to more chances on goal that are higher quality chances. How do you get more chances on goal that are high quality chances? You slow it down like Spain.
2
The players are seeking constant highlight reels.
Unfortunately, within the age of YouTube and Social Media, there are highlights of extravagant Brazilian goals. The players have pressure to score these goals again and again. Therefore, unrealistic expectations have been placed on the players to produce fancy goals...all the time. If they don't, the fans get antsy. In reality: Most goals are boring. Fancy goals come around every once in a while. The way you get to fancy goals is to create long-term possession that will increase chances on goal, quality chances on goal. Then, every once in a while, fancy goals will emerge. You can't score fancy goals every time. Period. Stop trying it. You look like the guys in Time Bandits running through the maze, chasing the greatest treasure of all time. Instead, play normal "boring" soccer and your natural Brazilian flair will likely be the result from time to time. That's better than what Brazil's doing right now.
1
The wrong players, coached the wrong way.
These players are quick, fast, and have skill. There's no doubting that they're good players. But there is something missing. As a whole, the team lacks structure with passing. There is little creative dribbling. It looks like the US and Mexico circa 1996. It seems like every opportunity Brazil gets, it swings the ball out wide, to players that do not deliver (in most cases) with creative dribbling, and they surge forward going for goal. It's the "score now" mentality. Can you believe it: I would argue that right now, the US and Mexico have better buildup possession than Brazil. How weird is that? That's beyond weird. I never thought I'd hear myself saying that. Yet, at this moment, I firmly believe it. The US and Mexico, despite their infirmities, have better slow, buildup, possession than Brazil. Brazil is going for goal every moment. It's like a frantic attack that yields half-chances as opposed to more chances on goal that are higher quality chances. How do you get more chances on goal that are high quality chances? You slow it down like Spain.
2
The players are seeking constant highlight reels.
Unfortunately, within the age of YouTube and Social Media, there are highlights of extravagant Brazilian goals. The players have pressure to score these goals again and again. Therefore, unrealistic expectations have been placed on the players to produce fancy goals...all the time. If they don't, the fans get antsy. In reality: Most goals are boring. Fancy goals come around every once in a while. The way you get to fancy goals is to create long-term possession that will increase chances on goal, quality chances on goal. Then, every once in a while, fancy goals will emerge. You can't score fancy goals every time. Period. Stop trying it. You look like the guys in Time Bandits running through the maze, chasing the greatest treasure of all time. Instead, play normal "boring" soccer and your natural Brazilian flair will likely be the result from time to time. That's better than what Brazil's doing right now.
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