Tite’s team are one of the favourites to win the World Cup with the left flank, Marcelo and Neymar, both a potential strength and, defensively, a weakness

This article is part of the Guardian’s 2018 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 32 countries who have qualified for Russia. theguardian.com is running previews from two countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 14 June.

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In Brazil’s most recent friendlies, Tite struggled to find players who could infiltrate five-man defensive lines of the kind used by Antonio Conte at Chelsea. Two were required in particular: a midfielder able to work close to the penalty area and a No 9 with physical presence. As nobody was found, the coach has selected Shakhtar Donetsk’s Taison in his 23 – but the winger seems somewhat redundant, as he is similar to three other players in the squad.

It means Philippe Coutinho – who is used to weaving inside from one of the flanks – could be pushed into a role conducting the midfield from a central position and serving the players who come running and dribbling in from both sides. There are a swarm of attacking options from wide: Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Willian, Roberto Firmino, Marcelo. This is far from certain though and it is equally possible he will start out on the right. The days before the World Cup will be decisive.



The motto “never try in a cup what you have never tested before” has prevailed in a predictable selection – advice Tite has received from former players such as Rivellino, Gerson and Zico. So Brazil arrive at the World Cup placing their bets on speed over the field. Despite their width they have very little inclination to cross the ball: Tite has imposed a very organised method based on playing in triangles, with aggressive full-backs – a Brazilian tradition – always close to the holding midfielders in order to build up moves from the inside.

Brazil’s left side poses the biggest threat but is also the most likely area for opponents to breach. Marcelo is prone to leaving space behind him, as he has shown at Real Madrid, but Tite will not restrain the world’s most attacking full-back. That will require plenty of attention from the veteran Miranda, who may be pushed further forward than any centre-back in Brazil’s World Cup history, and the deep midfielder Casemiro. On the right, Dani Alves’s injury is a huge blow for which Manchester City’s Danilo will be hard pressed to compensate. Brazil can threaten elsewhere, though: Miranda, Marquinhos and Paulinho will pose a considerable threat when they win dead balls in attacking positions.



Thanks to the influence of Pep Guardiola, Tite has an exquisite piece of tactical variation up his sleeve in the form of his second-choice goalkeeper Ederson. If Brazil face a very aggressive, high-pressing side, Ederson can bypass the press by distributing the ball accurately as soon as he has claimed it. Neymar and Coutinho would then be released like arrows, sprung behind a very advanced defensive line. The final pre-World Cup friendlies, against Croatia and Austria, will show whether Tite is brave enough to go with Ederson in Russia. All things considered, though, Roma’s Alisson is unlikely to see his starting spot threatened.





Probable starting XI

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Which player is going to surprise everyone at the World Cup 2018?

Paulinho. The midfielder faced criticism from fans after a superb start at Barcelona settled down, and there are suggestions that he will be sold during the transfer window. But Tite knows his style very well: they worked together at Corinthians, winning the Fifa World Club Cup final against Chelsea in 2012, and the manager trusts him. This familiarity turns Paulinho into one of Brazil’s most dangerous weapons.

Which player is likely to disappoint?

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Philippe Coutinho. After half a season trying to adapt and prove himself at Barcelona while watching Liverpool play better without him, Coutinho will land in Russia with the responsibility of providing solutions against ultra-defensive opponents. He may be pushed into a more central position, which is not where he performs best. On the bench, Willian and Roberto Firmino are hungry for a spot.

What is the realistic aim for Brazil at the World Cup and why?

Brazil are going for the title. Few teams are as strong and confident – even though confidence alone is no a guarantee of success, as Brazilians remember from 2006 and 2014. Tite is still looking for the right balance but his defensive record is remarkable: Brazil conceded only 11 times in their 18 qualifiers. He also has many gems at his disposal: a 26-year-old Neymar and three players coached by Guardiola last season, which makes seven players who have become more mature since the 7-1 trauma against Germany four years ago.

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Márvio dos Anjos and Carlos Eduardo Mansur write for O Globo.

Follow Márvio on Twitter here.

Follow Carlos on Twitter here.