SA Blog Number 12: Is Dunga The Nail In Football’s Coffin?
November 17th 2009
Uruguayan novelist Eduardo Galeano once said: ‘´The technocracy of professional sport has managed to impose a football of lightning speed and brute strength, a football that negates skill, kills fantasy and outlaws daring.´
When I came across this passage whilst flicking back through his wonderful book ‘Football In Sun And Shadow’ last week, all I could think about was Brazil – Dunga’s Brazil.
The current Brazil side is a far cry from those we have come to love and revere. They are nothing like that of the Pele-inspired teams of ‘58 and ‘70, Garrincha’s champions in ‘62, Zico’s sublime failures of ‘82, or even the Ronaldo-led conquerors of Korea/Japan in 2002. Those sides inspired generations of fans, poets, novelists, and great artists – they were about so much more than football.
In his book ‘The Beautiful Team’, Gary Jenkins begins his quest for the 1970 Brazilians with a quote taken from ‘Jornal do Brazil’ shortly after Brazil were crowned champions: ‘Brazil’s victory with the ball compares to the conquest of the moon by the Americans.’
Even those of us who hadn’t even been born when Pele, Rivelino, Carlos Alberto, Gerson, Jairzinho et al. swept past all before them in 1970, we still felt the impact. Just ask the 12-year-old Grimsby fan who, when his local side are 3-0 up, bursts into a chorus of ‘it’s just like watching Brazil.’ They are more than just another international team; Brazil is a nation that holds a special place in the hearts of football fans all over the world.
At the World Cup in 2002, Brazil’s last triumph, they were led to victory by the so-called “three R’s” – Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho. Three magicians, three men who encapsulated Brazilian culture - artists, individualists, beautiful show-offs.
During the height of his powers at Barcelona, Ronaldinho was widely regarded as the best player in the world. When Pele confirmed he too believed him to be the best around, he affirmed his opinion by saying ‘he is the player who gives the most joy.’ He didn’t say he is deadly in front of goal, that he dominates possession for his team, or that he leads the world in assists, but simply that he provides ‘joy.’
In 2009 there is no joy; there is nobody with the genius of Ronaldo, the invention of Falcao, the command of Socrates or the joy of Garrincha. No individual with the artistry of Ronaldinho, the orchestration of Zico, or the flamboyancy of Rivelino. In 2009, Brazilian football is about speed, strength, size, and, most of all - efficiency.
During Saturday’s friendly in Dubai, a Brazilian friend sent me a message; ‘Are you watching Brazil playing England? It is shite!! I can´t bear watching Brazil.’ How could anyone not bear watching Brazil? Let alone a Brazilian?
In 2002, Big Phil Scolari managed the side to victory by allowing individuals to shine. Aside from his motivational preaching –his pre-match pep talk largely consisted of telling the players that ‘god was on their side’– many will argue he didn’t really do that much. In fact, some will argue that managers of the Brazilian national team never do that much. Harsh? Perhaps. Yet with Dunga, the peripheral has become the protagonist. This Brazil team isn’t Kaka’s, it isn’t Robinho’s, it isn’t even the ever present Gilberto Silva’s – it’s Dunga’s!
Dunga, as a player, was a work horse. Through concentration, hard-work and total devotion; he made little talent go an awful long way. And he manages like he plays, placing work ethic above ability, ‘Talent is extremely important,´ he says, ´but it has to be united with other things to have any effect. History shows this. On a lot of occasions Brazil have had players of very high quality but haven´t got the results.’
And to his credit, Dunga has achieved results. He has the makings of a world-class manager, one that will surely flourish in the modern game. This is his first ever managerial role, remember. After making a dodgy start, during which he was extremely fortunate to hold onto his job, he has totally overhauled a struggling Brazil team. Yet, aside from their beautifully yellow shirts, it is one that barely resembles “Brazil”.
Fabio Capello recently sung the praises of the former Fiorentina midfielder and World Cup winning captain and attributed his totalitarian managerial style to his time in Serie A, ‘Dunga played in Italy,’ he said, ‘and learned a lot from the pragmatism of Italians. People thought he was not like a Brazilian manager when he started.’
Dunga’s tactical aptitude is unquestionable. He has masterminded a number of comprehensive victories as Brazil manager, not least the proficient 3-1 victory over Argentina to seal their World Cup qualification in Rosario back in September. That was a victory not achieved by a total dominance of possession, by sweeping free-flowing movements, or by the dribbles of magical maestros in bright yellow jerseys - but by resolute, organised defending, solid shape, a set piece or two and one fierce counter-attack.
Set-pieces and defensive organisation are central to Dunga’s side. His team’s solidity is built on a foundation of two centre-backs in midfield. In Elano –the third midfielder– Brazil have a player of class and finesse who can strike a dead-ball, beat a defender and play a perfectly timed through ball capable of splitting any defence; yet those attributes have no bearing on his selection. He has retained his place in the team by displaying a strict defensive discipline. Everyone has a specific role to play, and Elano’s job? To provide cover for Maicon. Yes, Brazil have a midfield position devoted entirely to providing cover for a defender.
Tostao (a former Brazilian great and now an equally great sports writer), has long been one of Dunga’s outspoken critics. When suggesting that Dunga still needs to be able to adapt his tactics if he hopes to achieve success in South Africa, the former World Cup winner offered the coach a back-handed compliment; ‘Dunga should not think that the only way to win is score goals from set-pieces, pick two deep lying midfielders and counter attack.’ The BBC’s South American football correspondent Tim Vickery is another critic of Dunga’s preferred style of play: ‘my preference would be for more football and a better range of passing from the central midfield duo.’ That ‘duo’ of Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo encapsulate Galeano’s ‘technocracy’ and Dunga’s dull style- two big beastly defensive midfielders who offer nothing on the ball.
Despite there being little to admire, there are many things to respect about the current selecao; they comfortably qualified top of a World Cup Qualifying group that has become increasingly competitive in recent years - just ask Argentina. Brazil conceded just 11 goals in their 18 qualifiers, and lost only twice.
However, Brazil struggle against lesser teams. They were the only team in South America not to beat Bolivia at home during qualification, drawing 0-0, before another goalless draw at home to Colombia – two results that almost cost Dunga his job. Much like Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool, Brazil are at their best against stronger teams, where they can sit back and soak up pressure before launching the counter-attack.
If Brazil do become World Champions for the 6th time in South Africa next summer, it won’t be achieved with what Brazilians refer to as ‘Futebol D’arte’ (Football Of Art), but ‘futebol de resultados’ (Football For Results). And what would be their legacy amongst so many successful Brazilian teams? As a side that bored their opponents into submission? Is simply winning enough in football? More importantly, is it enough for Brazilian football?
Rupert Fryer
Keep up to date with all the news from the wacky world South American Football at www.southamericanfootball.co.uk
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Sam
:::2009-11-20 13:01:43
Great article! You Ramblers are like those Guardian fold these days lol.
I have to say, I think it is sad to see Brazilian football go this way too. The whole game is more about athleticism that skill these days. Sad times :(
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