Tite uses the increase in the number of subscribers to reinforce the team’s attack in the Cup

Tite used the increase in the number of players to reinforce the offensive power of the Brazilian team. Due to the prospect of heat and dry weather in Qatar, FIFA has authorized, for the first time, that the lists of selections have 26 names. In the other tournaments there were 23.

If there were three goalkeepers, four sides, four defenders, three defensive midfielders and three midfielders, as usual, the coach bet everything on attack: nine names.

The main beneficiaries were Rodrygo, Pedro and, mainly, Martinelli, who might not have been called if the applicants were the usual 23.

For the 2018 World Cup, five strikers were called up. Same number as the tournament in Brazil in 2014.

Éverton Ribeiro was also “benefited”, but in this case, due to the muscle injury suffered by Philippe Coutinho, the “Couto”, as Tite likes to call him. Despite his performance having declined in recent years, the coach saw him as an important player. He bet that, surrounded by the other offensive pieces of the selection, he would return to acting well.

“I want to hit a balance key. It’s fundamental in life, not just in sport. There’s a generation of high-level athletes that are calling themselves. They’re looking, with high performance”, he said, with his way of trying explain, in other words, that the list depended on the performance of the players in the last four years.

The idea is to have a versatile attack, capable of performing different functions throughout the match and providing tactical options. This does not apply to Neymar, who has almost complete freedom on the pitch. But it goes for Raphinha and Martinelli, for example, who can play on the sides of the field or in the role of 10, linking the middle with the attack.

Peter offers a different possibility. Among the nine forwards, he is the one who has the most characteristics of an area striker.

“Balance,” hit the Tite key.

This may explain the absence of attackers who had, in the last cycle since 2018, performances that were much more relevant than some of those called up. Like the forgotten Gabigol, from Flamengo, for example.

Other names, contested or not, were already expected. Tite built a trusting relationship with Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus and would not let them go. Even though the Tottenham Hotpsur forward has suffered a recent injury. They were no surprises. Martinelli, yes.

“It has been one of Arsenal’s highlights in the Premier League’s first place, an individual player, transitioning in speed. They could have other squads and there are arguments for others. They are choices. We need sharp players on the sides”, explained Tite.

Explaining was the most he had to do about Daniel Alves. A choice that compromised the coach’s own speech about “the generation of high-level athletes who are calling up”. Passing through Mexico and not shining at Barcelona, ​​the explanation found was that he was a player capable of adding to the group as a leader. It will be the third world championship for the side, who did not go to Russia four years ago because of an injury.

Tite already knew that the choice would be contested. It was a common comment at CBF headquarters in the weeks before the list was released. Daniel Alves, who improves the physical part at Barcelona B, already imagined that the call would come.

But the announcement of his name made the captain, his assistant César Sampaio and physical trainer Fábio Mahseredjian come out in defense of the veteran who, at 39, will be the oldest to compete in a World Cup for the Brazilian team. The previous record was held by Djalma Santos, who went to England in 1966, aged 36.

“He is fantastic, committed to the new, he mobilizes the surroundings”, said Sampaio. “He’s a guy I have as a reference from those I’ve worked with as an athlete and now as a technical manager. I also had the doubt you had, due to the level of the championship I was playing and the best Dani we had and he once again surprised me.

It helped his calling the fact that, with the exception of the titular Danilo, there is no other right back that can be considered indisputable.

The same goes for the left, where Alex Sandro should start. Alex Telles had a bad season at Manchester United but ended up called up. But on the left wing there is no Daniel Alves.