DungaâÂÂs Seleção can make history this Sunday in their World Cup qualifier match against Chile. Too bad it'll be for all the wrong reasons.
If Brazil donâÂÂt score against Chile, it will only be the second time that the Seleção, in its almost centennial history, go scoreless in four consecutive matches. The squad already missed the few chances they created against Venezuela (0-2), Paraguay (0-2) and Argentina (0-0).
The only time that has happened to date was in 1991, courtesy of the oh so unmemorable Seleção of coach Falcão. Then, a defeat to Spain (0-3) in his first game and three goalless draws (with Mexico and Chile, twice) doomed the former Roma king. 10 games later, he was fired and became a TV pundit â a position he holds to this day.
Like Falcão in his last games as a coach, Dunga is a dead man walking, as IâÂÂve already noted in this blog. The question is when - not if - heâÂÂll get the boot.
Bad results against Chile and at home against Bolivia next Wednesday will probably seal his fate â some say heâÂÂll be hanging till the end of the year, when Vanderlei Luxemburgo will leave Palmeiras and take over the Seleção.
Marcelo BielsaâÂÂs ChileâÂÂs are a treacherous side. TheyâÂÂre currently 3rd in the qualifying table (Brazil are 5th) and rely on their offensive front three â Gonzales, Suazo and Sanchez. To feed them, âÂÂEl Locoâ Bielsa has two fantastic options: Matias Fernandez or Jorge Valdivia, the former Palmeiras player who was one of the main stars of Brazilian football before he upped sticks to UAEâÂÂs Al Ain a month ago.
On BrazilâÂÂs side... well, the same thing. ItâÂÂs Dunga trademark as a coach. 11 players, no tactics, no game plan. Each player has to show what they've got. Unfortunately for the fans, theyâÂÂve been failing to do so on a regular basis.
With or without Dunga, itâÂÂs time for them to step up.
One goal. Come on, itâÂÂs not that hard.
