Dunga throws out flair for team spirit

As a result,the words patriotism,team spirit,hard work and discipline punctuate the coach’s discourse while talent rarely forms part of his vocabulary. Preciously gifted players such as Ronaldinho,Santos pair Paulo Henrique Ganso and Neymar and Fenerbahce midfielder Alex have all fallen victim to the new order,having been omitted from Dunga’s squad.

On the other hand,workhorses such as Kleberson,Gilberto Silva and Josue are included,even though all three are past their best in their club careers. A team famous for its attacking players now boasts goalkeeper Julio Cesar and Maicon and Lucio — both defenders—- as its most important players. Unfortunately,he’s chosen something which is distant from the culture of Brazilian football,which has always been based on creativity to express itself,said former Brazil captain Socrates in a recent interview.

HIGHLY EFFECTIVE

The new policy has made Brazil into a brutally effective team who have won the Copa America and Confederations Cup under Dunga’s leadership as well as finishing top of the South American World Cup qualifying group.

But the fun has gone out of their football,with most of their goals now coming from counter-attacks and set pieces. The Dunga-era is widely seen as a backlash to the 2006 World Cup when a team brimming with charismatic players,expected to brighten the tournament with attacking football,instead produced a lacklustre display culminating in a 1-0 quarter-final defeat to France.

Dunga quickly banned the practice of celebrities descending to the team’s mountain retreat by helicopter to be photographed with the players and distanced the team from the supporters. Players were also banned from giving exclusive interviews and Brazilian media said on Friday that striker Robinho earned himself a reprimand for breaking the rule by speaking to a television station on his day off.

“You don’t win anything alone in football,Kaka said,almost as if reading from a script prepared by his coach.