Brazil vs Paraguay: 3 Tactical Lessons from Ancelotti's Masterclass in Midfield Weakness
Ancelotti’s Puzzle: Winning Without a Midfield
Watching Brazil struggle to progress through central areas against Paraguay reminded me of trying to solve a Rubik’s cube blindfolded - theoretically possible, but unnecessarily complicated. The Seleção completed just 12 progressive passes through midfield zones (compared to Spain’s average 28 in similar fixtures), forcing Carlo Ancelotti to deploy what I’ve dubbed the ‘Wing Express’ solution.
First-Half Blueprint:
- Left-side monopoly: 63% attacks favored Vinicius-Martinelli axis
- Cross-and-pray mathematics: 18 deliveries yielding 4 clear chances
- Pressing triggers: Raphinha’s 11 recoveries in opposition half (match high)
The 43rd minute goal perfectly illustrated this tactical compensation. Notice how Paraguay’s midfield press forced a long ball (1), triggering Vinicius-Raphinha counter-press (2) before the scrambled finish (3). Classic Ancelotti - turning defensive instability into attacking chaos.
Second-Half Adjustments
Paraguay manager Guillermo Barros Schelotto deserves credit for halftime changes that:
- Blocked passing lanes to wingers (reducing Vini’s touches by 22%)
- Targeted Ederson’s distribution weakness (3 dangerous turnovers)
Brazil’s response? More crosses (obviously). The 58th-minute near-miss from Lucas Paquetá showed both the promise and limitations - great delivery but only 1 attacker in the box. My tracking data shows Brazil averaged just 2.3 players per penalty area cross compared to Europe’s top sides averaging 3.8.
Tactical Takeaways
- The ‘Decoy Dribble’: Vinicius’ exaggerated wide positioning pulled defenders before underlapping runs
- Raphinha’s Renaissance: 7.8km covered including THAT 45th-minute crunching tackle
- Midfield Band-Aid: Casemiro completed more passes to fullbacks (19) than fellow midfielders (7)
As Richarlison returns from injury, expect more direct verticality. But against tournament favorites, Brazil must develop at least two reliable midfield progressions - or risk becoming football’s most beautiful one-trick pony.
TacticalRed
Hot comment (7)
Ancelotti y su fobia al mediocampo
¡Qué manera más creativa de esconder que no tenemos medio! Con solo 12 pases progresivos por el centro, Brasil jugó como si el área media fuera lava. El ‘Wing Express’ de Vini y Martinelli (63% de ataques por la izquierda) fue tan predecible como mi suegra criticando mi asado.
La táctica del ‘Cross y Reza’
18 centros para 4 ocasiones claras… hasta los apostadores en Las Ventas tenían mejores estadísticas. Pero hey, al menos Raphinha corrió 7.8km para compensar - casi suficiente para llegar de Madrid a Toledo.
Para reflexionar: Si Richarlison vuelve, ¿jugaremos con 5 delanteros y un portero? ¡Comenten sus teorías locas abajo!
El medio campo? Qué es eso?
Brasil jugó contra Paraguay como si el medio campo fuera zona prohibida. ¡12 pases progresivos en el centro! Hasta mi abuela hace más con su equipo de barrio. Ancelotti decidió que el fútbol se juega solo por las bandas: el famoso ‘Wing Express’.
Vinicius, el hombre orquesta
63% de los ataques por la izquierda. Vini corrió tanto que ya pidió cambio de nombre a ‘Vinipelota’. Y Raphinha? Ni Messi en sus mejores años corrió 7.8km persiguiendo balones perdidos.
Paraguay: “No sé si reír o llorar”
Cuando vieron que Brasil no usaba el centro, los paraguayos parecían turistas perdidos en Once. ¿Marcar a quién si no pasan por ahí? Al final Ederson terminó siendo nuestro mediocampista estrella (y eso explica los 3 errores).
¿Crees que Brasil puede ganar la Copa así? ¡Déjanos tu táctica loca en los comentarios!
¡Vinicius y Raphinha, los repartidores de caos!
Ancelotti convirtió el mediocampo en un aeropuerto: solo pasaban balones largos y cruces al área. Con solo 12 pases progresivos, Brasil jugó como si el centro del campo fuera lava.
Datos que duelen: 18 centros y solo 4 oportunidades claras. ¡Hasta mi abuela sabe que eso no es suficiente!
¿Solución? Más cruces (claro, porque lo primero no funcionó). Paquetá casi marca, pero con solo un atacante en el área… ¿En serio?
Moraleja: Si el mediocampo falla, al menos hazlo con estilo. ¡Comenten sus teorías conspiranoicas abajo!
O Meio-Campo? Que Meio-Campo?
Parece que o Brasil decidiu jogar sem meio-campo contra o Paraguai! Com apenas 12 passes progressivos naquela área, Ancelotti teve que improvisar com o ‘Expresso das Alas’. Vini e Raphinha correram mais que entregador de Ifood!
Dados que doem:
- 63% dos ataques foram pelas laterais (óbvio)
- 18 cruzamentos para 4 chances claras (matemática da esperança)
- Casemiro passou mais para os laterais que para os colegas (quem precisa de meio-campo mesmo?)
E aí, torcida, vamos continuar com esse futebol ‘sem meio-termo’ ou vamos arrumar essa bagunça antes da próxima partida? 😅⚽ #FaltaMeioCampo
When your midfield is MIA…
Watching Brazil bypass their nonexistent midfield was like watching someone order Uber Eats from a restaurant next door - inefficient but somehow delicious! Ancelotti’s ‘Wing Express’ delivered 18 crosses (4 clear chances) because when life gives you lemons… make lemonade crosses!
Vini & Raphinha: Delivery Heroes
The dynamic duo covered 7.8km - that’s further than my last Uber driver went to “find” my house! Their tireless work compensated for Casemiro completing more passes to fullbacks than midfielders (19 vs 7).
Paraguay’s Midfield Press: The ultimate party poopers who actually wanted to play football in the… you know… MIDDLE of the pitch? Rude.
Can Brazil keep relying on wingers doing all the heavy lifting? Or will they finally fix their midfield GPS? Discuss!
O Brasil jogando sem meio-campo é como um samba sem pandeiro!
Ancelotti transformou o jogo contra o Paraguai numa aula de como vencer sem meio-campo - ou melhor, como fingir que ele existe. Com apenas 12 passes progressivos pelo centro (quase um crime no futebol brasileiro!), a solução foi o “Trem das Wingers”: Vini e Martinelli carregando o piano sozinhos.
Estatística mais engraçada: Casemiro passou mais para os laterais (19x) que para os outros volantes (7x). Parece aquela piada do “cadê o meio-campo?” - tá ali só de enfeite!
E aí, torcida, vamos continuar nesse 4-0-6 tático ou vamos arranjar um meia de verdade? 😂 #CadêOMeioCampo
O meio-campo sumiu?
Parece que o Brasil decidiu jogar sem meio-campo contra o Paraguai! Ancelotti transformou o jogo num ‘Wing Express’ - só bola nas alas e reza para dar certo.
Estatísticas que doem
12 passes progressivos pelo meio? Até eu no FIFA faço mais! E com apenas 2,3 jogadores na área por cruzamento, nem o Richarlison voltando vai resolver.
Piada pronta: Isso não é futebol, é tele-entrega de cruzamentos!
E aí, torcida? Vamos continuar nesse esquema ou vamos admitir que precisamos urgentemente de um meio-campo? (Comentaristas, preparem os memes!)
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