The Tactical Evolution of Brazilian Soccer
The Tactical Evolution of Brazilian Soccer
By
Vinicius Dos Santos
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BRASI L 1 9 5 0 ( WM & 4- 2- 4) : BARBOSA; AUGUSTO e JUVENAL; BAUER, DANI LO, BI GODE; FRI AA,
ZI ZI NHO, ADEMI R, JAI R, CHI CO. Runners up World Cup 1950 - Brazil.
Facts: Ademir Menezes (the Big Chin) was the top scorer of the WC 50 with 9 goals.
Tactical tendencies:
Coach Dori Krueschner came to Brasil during the 40s decade to coach CR Flamengo and
with him all the influences from the English Herbert Chapman and his WM system. The
WM system was very successful at club level with Vasco da Gama (Rio de Janeiro)
during that time. Vasco players were the base of the Brazil National Team in 1950,
therefore the WM system and sometimes a variation to a 4-2-4.
Brazil had a tremendous campaign but lost to Uruguay, an unexpected historical upset
inside of the Maracana Stadium.
BRASI L 1 9 5 8
Facts: Pele and Garrincha started the World Cup in the bench just entering the team in
the third game against Russia. There was born the King of Soccer with only 17 years old.
Tactical tendencies: Brazil played on a 4-2-4. But Mario Zagallo displayed of an
incredible physical capacity to join the midfield when the team was not in possession and
joint the attack by the left wing when in possession. Also one of the center forwards (Pele
or Vava) used to drop into the attacking midfield spot just like a modern shadow striker
nowadays.
BRASI L 1 9 6 2
Fa ct s: Basically the same team from 58. Pele got hurt and Amarildo The Possessed,
played in his spot. But the big name of the team was Garrincha that carried the team with
his dribbles and scored all kinds of goals including headers and free kickers.
Tactical Tendencies: Not many variations from the previous World Cup, still the 4-2-4
with Zagallo going back and forth by the wing. It was the Era of the Dribbler, where the
individual player prevailed over tactical schemes. The best example was Garrincha,
always by the right side, always dribbling by the outside and yet unstoppable.
SAN TOS 1 9 6 2 / 1 9 6 3
FACTS: Santos beat Eusebios Benfica by 5x2 in Lisbon and beat AC Milan inside of a
full house at Maracana Stadium to conquer the Intercontinental Cup twice in back to back
years.
Tactical Tendencies: Still the Dribblers era the team counted a lot in the give and gos
from Pele and Coutinho, which used to split defenses easily with sharp one touch game.
The system was still a 4-2-4.
BOTAFOGO 1 9 6 2
GARRI NCHA,
1961/ 1962.
( 4- 2- 4) : MANGA; PAULI STI NHA, JADI R, NI LTON SANTOS, RI LDO; LTON DSON;
QUARENTI NHA, AMARI LDO, ZAGALLO. 2 Tim e Car ioca Cham pion ( Rio de Janeiro)
FACTS: When Garrincha showed up at Bot afogo for a t ryout gam e, t he right winger
had t o face t he Nat ional Team fullback Nilt on Sant os. Many t im es in t hat gam e
Garrincha dribbled Nilt on, and even nut m eged him . At t he end of t he gam e Nilt on
said: Sign him now, I dont want t o play against him no m ore!
Tactical Tendencies: Nilton Santos, The Soccer Enciclopedia - was responsible for
innovating the fullback position by being offensive minded and leaving a legacy that
influenced Brazilian fullbacks.
CLODOALDO,
Fa ct s: 6 gam es and 6 vict ories. 19 goals in favor, 7 goals against , 12 plus goals
different ial. Jairzinho scored 7 t im es, Pele 4 t im es, Rivellino 3 t im es, Tost ao 2 t im es,
and 1 t im e for Carlos Albert o, Clodoaldo and Gerson.
Ta ct ica l Te n de n cie s: The beginning of com pact ness. The t eam at t acked and
defended in a block. No m ore separat ion bet ween t he sect ors of defense, m idfield
and at t ack. I t explored a lot of count er at t ack opport unit ies t hru long passes
( especially t owards t he speedy Jairzinho) and/ or quick possession gam e. Rivellino as
a false winger helped t he m iddle, freeing t he left wing m any t im es for Tost ao t o
ent er t hat zone, and opening up t he cent ral areas for Pele t o com e t hru. Also Carlos
Albert o Torres was a huge support er from behind as a right full back.
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TAC TI C AL BO O K S
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6 ) CLUBE ATLETI CO M I N EI RO 1 9 7 1
PALM EI RAS 1 9 7 2 / 1 9 7 3 ( 4- 2- 4) : LEO; EURI CO, LUI Z PEREI RA, ALFREDO MOSTARDA, ZECA;
DUDU, ADEMI R DA GUI A; EDU BALA, LEI VI NHA, CSAR MALUCO, NEI . 2 Tim e Brazilian Cham pion
1972/ 1973 & Paulist a Cham pion 1972.
Facts: Palmeiras won the Paulista Championship in 1972 without a loss. The Academy
was led by Ademir da Guia The Divine. Had also tremendous players like the
midfielder Dudu and center forward Leivinha. It was the base for the National Team in
1974, Germany World Cup.
Tactical Tendencies: Coach Osvaldo Brandao had a solid young Goalkeeper with
Emerson Leao in goal. Luis Pereira very capable of building from the back start many
plays that would shine further in front at Ademir da Guias feet. An attacking midfielder
with a deceiving slow pace and fine technique. And then on top the explosion of Cesar
Maluco (Cesar the crazy) and Leivinha a great header. Edu Bala brought speed by the
right wing and Nei by the left one.
Tactical Tendencies: A typical Brazilian 4-3-3, with a back four, one holding
midfielder, two attacking midfielders (left and right), a left wing, a right wing and a
center forward.
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I N TERN ACI ON AL 1 9 7 5 / 1 9 7 6
Fa ct s: 8 t im es St at e Cham pions!
Ta ct ica l Te n de n cie s: Solid leadership from capt ain Elias Figueroa: t he securit y
from Cacapava, Capergiani and Bat ist a as holding m idfielders allowing Falcao t o
shine as a playm aker, and scoring m any goals com ing from behind.
I N TERN ACI ON AL 1 9 7 9 ( 4- 3- 3) : BEN TEZ; JOO CARLOS, MAURO PASTOR, MAURO GALVO
CLUDI O MI NEI RO; FALCO, BATI STA, JAI R; VALDOMI RO, CLAUDI OMI RO, MRI O SERGI O. Brazilian
Cham pion, Cam peonat o Brasileiro 1979.
Fa ct s: They won t he Brazilian Cham pionship, Cam peonat o Brasileiro, undefeat ed.
They are t he only t eam t hat achieved such accom plishm ent . The t eam from Coach
Enio Andrade played 23 gam es and did not lose any of t hem .
Ta ct ica l Te n de n cie s: A t ypical Brazilian 4- 3- 3. Bot h fullbacks capable of support ing
from behind; a great holding m idfielder on Bat ist a; Falcao t he playm aker scoring t wo
im port ant goals in t he sem i finals against Palm eiras; and an exuberant at t ack t hat
scored 40 goals.
FLAM EN GO 1 9 8 1
Facts: Between 1970 and 1981, this was considered the best team in Brazilian soccer.
Between 78 and 83, they won the Carioca League 4 times (Rio de Janeiro State), 5 times
the Carioca Cup, 3 time the Brazilian Championship (Campeonato Brasileiro), the
Libertadores Cup and the Intercontinental Cup (Toyota Cup).
Tactical Tendencies: Coach Claudio Coutinho was the pioneer of overlapping runs in
Brazilian soccer. With two capable fullbacks Junior and Leandro they used to terrorize
opponents; Flamengo also had a tremendous covering capability with Andrade, Adilio
and Carpegiani. That allowed the rest of them to attack. Tita was the false winger that
dropped into midfield, pushing Zico forward. It was a combination of a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2
system.
BRASI L 1 9 8 2
( 4- 3- 3) : WALDI R PERES; LEANDRO, OSCAR, LUI ZI NHO, JUNI OR; FALCO, TONI NHO
CEREZO e SCRATES; ZI CO, SERGI NHO, DER. World Cup 1982 Spain
Brazilian fans and journalists recognize that this team was excellent. What
happened to Brazil in 1982 was similar to what had happened to Holland in 1974 and
Hungary in 1954: the best team had not won. Brazil had underestimated Italy, a bit more
of caution would be useful, since a simple tie against the Italians would get Brazil thru,
but the nature of the team was pure attack, and Paolo Rossi was on fire that day.
Fa ct s:
Tactical Tendencies: An average Goalkeeper with Valdir Perez. Oscar and Luisinho
were great technical center backs; Junior and Leandro were both capable of attacking by
the flanks; Cerezo as a holding midfielder; Zico, Socrates and Falcao 3 attacking
midfielders, Serginho a target man and Eder as a left winger. Paulo Isidoro and Batista as
subs in the midfield. They failed t o reach t he sem ifinals, but won t he heart s of m illions
of soccerfans world- wide. The m em ory of t heir foot ball will linger. I t is t he Team of
Dream s.
Timao (Big Club), he was the mentor of the called Corinthians Democracy, a
movement created by the proper players who considered, among others ideas, the total
freedom of the athletes in relation to some established rules, as well as free will in
relation to the necessity to be secluded before each game and also the possibility of
participation in the related decisions of the soccer club in general. Along with Socrates,
Casagrande e Wladimir were the other mentors.
Tactical Tendencies: The strength of the team was in the midfield, led by Socrates and
Zenon. On top the youngster Casagrande played a very good role as a target player. BiroBiro was useful joining the midfield when needed and going forward as well. Ataliba was
a typical right winger, and Wladimir was a left fullback with offensive style.
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GRM I O 1 9 8 3
Fa ct s: The main claim to fame of the striker Renato Portaluppi, more commonly
known as Renato Gaucho, is to have scored two goals in the Toyota Cup final of 1983.
Between 1983 and 1993, this livewire attacker was capped 23 times by the Seleao,
without ever really establishing himself as a regular in the national team.
Tactical Tendencies: A typical team from the south of Brazil, very aggressive, tough
defense a hard nose style. Aggressive even attacking, with Renato Gaucho taking
players on by the right side and Mario Sergio by the left. System 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2.
FLUM I N EN SE 1 9 8 3 / 1 9 8 4 / 1 9 8 5
Fa ct s: The playm aker Assis words aft er t he cham pionship gam e of t he Cam peonat o
Brasileiro: Look how funny it is. Our t eam st art ed t he com pet it ion wit h Coach
Claudio Garcia, which was a a defensive m idfielder in his t im e. Then he was gone
and t he next boss was Coach Carbone which was a real holding m idfielder. Then
finally cam e Coach Carlos Albert o Parreira, which was a goalkeeper in a am at uer
t eam . Our t eam should be t he m ast ers of defense, and we are but we know how t o
at t ack wit h an im pressive velocit y . So m any t it les and at t he sam e t im e so m any
coaches.
Ta ct ica l t e n de n cie s: Highly efficient t eam , very fast t hru short passes and
t riangulat ions - could easily link up 3 t o 6 passes going t owards t he goal and
wit hout any int ercept ions. The Paraguayan Rom erit o was t he playm aker along side
t he incredible duo of Assis and Washingt on on t op.
SO PAULO 1 9 8 6
Fa ct s: The Menudos from Morum bi . A t eam wit h a very young at t ack and fast ,
t errorize defenses wit h speed. Coach Pepe liked t o develop young t alent s and bet
well on Muller, Silas and Sidney. They sure paid off wit h brilliant soccer.
Ta ct ica l Te n de n cie s: At t he back solid and classic present at ion from Oscar and t he
Uruguayan Dario Pereira. Ze Teodoro was an offensive fullback always at t acking. The
orchest ra had t he young Silas along side t he playm aker Pit a, always precise
possession gam e com e from t hese t wo. On t op speed wit h Muller and Sidney and no
one bet t er t han Careca t o be t he t op scorer of t he com pet it ion wit h 25 goals.
SO PAULO 1 9 9 2 / 1 9 9 3
Facts: The Era of Master Tele Santana. An exorbitant machine of offensive soccer.
Coach Tele spent 5 years at the club, and during that time he won almost everything but
the Brazil Cup. Everything else he won from Paulista Champion, Brazilian Champion,
Libertadores, and Intercontinental Cup, Tournaments in Spain, and others.
Tactical Tendencies: Zetti was an exceptional Goalkeeper, Pintado a hard nose worker
as a holding midfielder. Then is the time Cafu started to play but as a midfielder along
side the veteran and experienced Toninho Cerezo. Rai was the playmaker shirt number 10
and idol of the team, and top the quick combinations of Muller and Palhinha. A 4-4-2,
two holdings and two attacking mids.
PALM EI RAS 1 9 9 3 / 1 9 9 4
Facts: Palmeiras was a team corporation at the time. Behind them the Italian company
Parmalat provided all the support for them to have the best players in the nation, the best
coach and staff, and extreme professional infra structure to win championships. And they
did. They had atremendous team in 93, and in 94 Rivaldo came over and they won more
stuff.
Tactical Tendencies: Coach Vanderley Luxemburgo had a squad as good as the National
Team in his hands. The young Roberto Carlos by the left side. Two great Holding
midfielders with Cesar Sampaio and Mazinho; two playmakers with Zinho and Edilson;
Evair The Matador on top and Edmundo The Animal circulating with freedom at
defenses expenses. A 4-4-2 box midfield, very much Brazilian way.
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BRASI L 1 9 9 4
Fa ct s: Ricardo Gom es and Ricardo Rocha suposed t o be t he cent er backs. Rai lost
his posit ion t o Mazinho. Leonardo red carded gave Branco t he left fullback posit ion. A
t ot ally different line up t hat won aft er a 24 years spell of no World Cups. Brazil
cham pions again.
Ta ct ica l Te n de n cie s: Rom ario and Bebet o on t op m oving side t o side, behind t hem
a line of 3 m en when in possession Dunga by t he m iddle, Mazinho on t he right and
Zinho by t he left . Mauro Silva barely crossed t he half way line. And t he fullbacks as
usual support ing by t he sides. When losing possession everyone behind t he ball line,
occupying t he spaces, slowing down t he opponent and count er at t acking in t he
t ransit ion. There it was t he prat ical t eam of Carlos Albert o Parreira. Variat ion t o a 44- 2 Box.
CORI N TH I AN S 1 9 9 8 / 1 9 9 9
SAN TOS 2 0 0 2
( 4- 4- 2) : FBI O COSTA; MAURI NHO, ALEX, ANDR LU S e LO; PAULO ALMEI DA,
RENATO, ELANO e DI EGO; ROBI NHO e ALBERTO. Brazilian Cham pion 2002 ( Cam peonat o Brasileiro)
Facts: It came from Robinho the play that originated the Penalty Kick for Santos to score
their first goal in the final game against Corinthians. Robinho simply applied the scissors
move against the defender 8 times in a roll!!!! The only way to stop him was fouling and
then the story of that final started to written all over in Santos FC favor.
Tactical Tendencies: Know as the Boys from Vila (Vila Belmiro Stadium), this
amazing squad of young talented performed an incredible offensive soccer trend.
Maurinho and Leo attacking by the flanks; Alex and Andre Luiz solid in the center backs;
Renato and Paulo Almeida covering everyones back; Elano and Diego the playmakers
and on top Robinho, the boy that enchanted Brasil with dribbles to goal. 4-4-2 Box.
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BRAZIL 2002: (3-5-2) Marcos, Roque Junior, Lucio, Edmilson; Cafu, Gilberto Silva, Kleberson,
Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos; Ronaldo, Ronaldinho Gaucho.
Facts: Brazil 5 times World Champion, the highest any nation achieved, reinforce the
power of Brazilian soccer arriving to the 3rd consecutive final 94, 98, 02 World Cups.
Tactical Tendencies: 3-5-2. Luis Felipe Scolari opt for 3 defenders in the back in order
to explore the best of Roberto Carlos and Cafu advances. Then the simplicity and
efficiency of Gilberto Silva and Kleberson supporting the infernal trio of Rivaldo,
Ronaldinho Gaucho and Ronaldo (top scorer with 8 goals).
SAN TOS 2 0 0 4
SO PAULO 2 0 0 5
Facts: Coach Paulo Autuori philosophy paid off based on lots of game analysis thru
video tapes they knew the opponents inside out; lots of understanding of the individual
player needs and potential, and finally great team work. A great year for SPFC.
Tactical Tendencies: 3-5-2. Fabao, Alex and the uruguayan Lugano in the back; Cicinho
and Junior as fullback by the wide areas; Josue and Mineiro as modern controlling
midfielders that arrive in the box to score and surprise opponents coming from behind;
Danilo a playmaker with great technique; on top either Luizao and Grafite or Amoroso
and Aloisio pick and choose any one is a goal scorer.