BRAZIL did full justice to their status as World Cup favourites on Friday when they swept aside Ghana in fine style in a magnificent first half to win 3-0.
It was a match where they unveiled Plan C; this Brazil side can now switch between three different formations, a process which showcases the versatility of recent West Ham signing Lucas Paqueta.
The main formation features two wingers – Raphinha on the right and Vinicius Junior on the left, with Neymar floating as a false nine and Paqueta operating in his most natural position of an attacking midfielder.
The system of play has done Brazil proud since losing the final of the Copa America to Argentina last year.
One of the stand outs has been the easy understanding between Neymar and Paqueta through the middle of the field.
The first alternative is to include a centre forward, most likely recent Tottenham signing Richarlison.
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In this case one of the wingers misses out – probably Vinicius, though this would be a very big call in the World Cup, and Paqueta instead plays from the left flank.
He lacks the extreme pace of a winger, and so is more likely to cut infield, where, once again, his relationship with Neymar is key to the team’s attacking construction.
This is the way that Brazil may well line up in Tuesday’s friendly against Tunisia, their last warm up before facing Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon in Qatar.
But what if they want two wingers, a centre forward and Neymar?
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This was the question that coach Tite answered against Ghana on Friday.
Lucas Paqueta then drops into a deeper midfield role, taking the place of Manchester United’s Fred.
This is not without risks. Paqueta is a creative player, who requires the freedom to take chances.
Operating in this role there is always the chance that he will give the ball away too close to the Brazil goal.
But, as West Ham fans have already seen, he is not a luxury player.
Defensive duties may not be the most natural side to his game, but he is fully prepared to put in a shift – and, as was clear against Ghana, starting deeper does not inhibit his ability to rumble forward as an element of surprise.
The ultra-attacking formation that Brazil tried on Friday worked because the whole team put in a shift, pressing hard to win back possession as soon as they had lost the ball and effectively making sure that almost the entire first forty minutes took place in the Ghana half.
It is hard to sustain such intensity for the full ninety minutes, but this is a system that Brazil have now added to their repertoire.
Three formations and three different functions for Paqueta – and he has a fourth string to his bow. He can also play at centre forward.
There have been times for Brazil when he has carried out three different functions in the same game.
It might take time for all of these virtues to become apparent at West Ham.
Paqueta is essentially a combinations player, and will need to get on the same wavelength as his new team-mates.
But David Moyes must surely be excited by the chance to work with a player of such talent and versatility.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
