European season consolidates tips and gives Tite options in the selection

A year ago, Tite struggled to find consistent production tips. It was an obvious shortcoming of the Brazilian team and a concern for the coach.

With the 2021/22 season of European football over, the situation is quite different five months before the World Cup. Vinicius Junior, 21, flourished at Real Madrid, where Rodrygo, 21, also began to show personality and decide important games. Raphinha, 25, drew attention even in tiny Leeds. Antony, 22, gained strength at Ajax.

The range of options for the commander of Brazil, who, in his eagerness for alternatives, had asked his observers to analyze border attackers was considerably expanded. That’s how he met Raphinha, who had left Brazil as a boy and arrived at Leeds, 17th in the last Premier League.

“The scouting team came to me: ‘Take a look at this guy’. I wasn’t paying much attention, but they insisted: ‘Look at his numbers!'” Tite told the British newspaper The Times.

The coach then called Argentine Marcelo Bielsa, who ran Leeds, and gathered information. Called up for the Qualifiers, Raphinha entered the half-time of the match against Venezuela, a 3-1 victory in Caracas, and gave two assists, one of them to another rookie, Antony.

The gaucho ended the English season with 11 goals and three assists. In nine matches for the national team, in addition to his debut passes, he scored three times. Antony, who recorded 12 goals and 10 assists for Ajax, defended the national team on nine occasions, with two goals and two goal passes.

Both of them lent the green-yellow formation characteristics it lacked: speed towards the baseline and ability to dribble. They are important weapons under any circumstances, but even more so when faced with closed opponents, such as are often encountered.

“I’ve always liked dribbling a lot, since I was little, playing. I used to go with my brother to the court to play, and we always played dribbling. that took me to the national team”, said Antony.

Dutch champion, the youngster just didn’t end the season smiling because of a more serious injury. He injured his right ankle in April and has yet to return to acting. The expectation is that he will show a good recovery on his return from the holidays, but his rise has been halted.

Who didn’t brake was Vinicius Junior. Questioned at Real Madrid and not always present in the selection in 2021, the boy from São Gonçalo had his best year in Europe. He was trusted by Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, formed a lethal partnership with Frenchman Benzema and closed the year with a historic Champions League title goal.

Between the matches of the European tournament, those of the Spanish Championship and those of the Supercopa de España, there were 22 balls in the net and 16 assists. His speed has become a nightmare for Madrid’s rivals, and while there is still room for growth, there has been a noticeable improvement in finishing, which used to be quite problematic.

In the selection, the boy still seeks to reap more consistent results. Adding the two recent friendlies to the seven matches he made in the Qualifiers, he scored one goal and didn’t give any goal passes. Now, he hopes to gain momentum in his spectacular end of the year in Europe to be the protagonist also wearing yellow.

Rodrygo is Real’s reserve, but Vinicius would not have scored the Champions League title goal without his compatriot’s help. On two occasions, against Chelsea and Manchester City, he came off the bench to avoid the elimination of the white team. The semifinal confrontation with City was only taken to extra time because the paulista scored in the 45th and 46th minutes of the second half.

Between one heroic moment and another – there were nine goals and nine assists for the club in the year –, he warned: “I’m working to be in the national team”. His name is not guaranteed at the World Cup, but his chances have increased considerably with the demonstration of decision-making power. In the Playoffs, he played four times and scored once.

Brazil’s debut at the Qatar World Cup is scheduled for November 24, in Lusail. Until then, perceptions may be altered, physical issues may arise. But the 2021/22 European football season brought good news for Tite.