Brasil Global Tour look back at some of the major talking points after new coach Tite kicked off his reign with a long-awaited victory in Quito
ANALYSIS
New Brazil coach Tite made his debut in the dugout on Thursday as the Selecao got their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with a 3-0 victory over Ecuador.
A penalty from Neymar and two goals from Gabriel Jesus (though one may yet be awarded as a own goal) gave the five-time world champions their first win in Quito for 33 years.
There were some teething issues in the first half but Brazil came alive in the final twenty minutes as Gabriel Jesus had a direct hand in all three goals on a stunning senior international debut.
Below, Brasil Global Tour looks back at five major talking points from the game.
| GABRIEL JESUS ANNOUNCES HIS ARRIVAL |
Brazil have a new number 9. Gabriel Jesus announced his arrival on the senior international scene with a stunning final twenty minutes in which he won the game for his country. After a quiet first-half in Quito, the future Manchester City star burst into life just as Brazil appeared to be running out of ideas. First he chased down a lobbed Casemeiro pass to win a penalty for the Selecao’s opener, then he backheeled a second and sent a thunderous strike into the far corner to round of a nine-pass move that started with goalkeeper Alisson.
| NEYMAR BREAKS HIS DUCK |
Neymar hadn’t scored a senior goal for his country since September 2015, when he netted in a Chevrolet Brasil Global Tour victory over USA. After leading Brazil to Olympic glory last month he handed over the captaincy to Miranda but maintained his momentum by coolly slotting home another high-pressure penalty in a Brazil shirt. The Selecao have long been accused being over reliant on Neymar and he has faced criticism for being too individualistic, but in Quito he linked better with his team-mates and the presence of Gabriel Jesus further forward gave him a focal point he has otherwise missed in recent years.
| RENATO AUGUSTO MARGINALISED |
Renato Augusto has emerged in recent months as one of Brazil’s most consistent performers, and played a major role in the Under-23 side’s Olympic success last month, saving a marvellous performance for the final. He came into Thursday’s side as one of those who was familiar with the new coach’s ideas, having won the Brazilian league title with Tite at Corinthians last year. However, he is increasingly marginalised and, as we’d seen in two disappointing performances at the Olympics, was once again forced wide left to try and link up with Neymar instead of dropping deep to conduct play. The return of Paulinho, who made his first appearance since World Cup 2014, also provided an obstacle with the two struggling to find an understanding in the midfield. He may have to return as a deep-lying playmaker in order to recapture his best form.
| CASEMIRO, HOLDER |
Casemiro was singled out among the local media as perhaps the best player on the pitch on Thursday. The Real Madid midfielder now looks an unmovable force at the base of midfield, combining his smart positional sense and grit in the tackle with a greater ability to distribute the ball than many of his predecessors who have played in the role. Nobody made more interceptions than him on the night and he also drifted right to help Dani Alves stop Jefferson Montero, who had made a blistering start to the game.
| MARCELO: A BRILLIANT RETURN |
Thursday also saw the long-awaited return of Marcelo, who had been away from the side for a year after a misunderstanding with previous coach Dunga. He repeatedly stamped out Ecuadorian attacks on down their right, often not only intercepting by winning and retaining the ball for his side. He also provided greater width in attack than the pervious incumbent at left-back, Filipe Luis, had offered under Dunga and got forward to create Brazil’s vital second goal. Marcelo is back and looks set to remain.
