FEATURE: Was I wrong about Tite?

A while ago, I wrote an article stating that I felt Brazil coach Tite was foolish for naming more than half of his World Cup roster very early into 2018, months before the tournament begins. The reasons I cited for this were vast. For one, injury and form should determine who is selected to the 23 man roster for the World Cup in Russia. Moreover, by telling other coaches a large number of your selections early on, teams who will be facing Tite’s side early on in the group stage will have much more time to plan and create strategies to try and dismantle what is a very strong and talented Brazilian side.

Having watched Brazil end Germany’s 22 game unbeaten streak, and completely dismember host nation Russia in the last few days, Tite might not have been as foolish as I first thought. In actual fact, what he’s been up to might just be genius. Firstly, by telling people that he knows 15 of his 23 man squad already, an attitude of mutual trust between Tite and the elite 15 is instilled. Tite trusts that their form will continue. In turn, the coaches’ action creates an atmosphere of tension between himself and everyone else vying for a spot, as they fight to impress and secure a seat on the plane to Russia. I maintain that there are some prima donnas in the Brazil side who this strategy will hurt, but Tite’s actions have already shown to have benefited other players, and the side as a whole.

My last article was regarding international friendlies and how boring they are. Having watched the Germany-Brazil friendly, I noticed that Brazil featured a squad featuring those 15 players named (obviously minus the injured Neymar) and only made one substitution during the match. Contrastingly, whilst Germany played an equally strong starting XI, they made countless changes to the team in the second half, and this caused the aforementioned lack of game speed in the German side that often occurs in exhibition matches, which inevitably cost them the game. From this, it is obvious that Tite wants his Brazil team to be confident and even on a win streak heading into the tournament in June. Tite has created an awe around the starting squad, or rather the 15 untouchable players. Whilst many coaches would omit these players from the roster for the friendly games in an attempt to not only keep them safe from injury but also to see a wider range of players to fill remaining spots, Tite instead chose to keep this solid core of players at the forefront of his roster, starting them against Germany and Russia in the last friendly matches. He then filled the remainder of the selection with players who may or may not make the final cut. From this, the remaining part of the roster for the exhibition games have the opportunity to watch how the starters play, how Tite coaches, and ultimately what it takes to win, as Brazil did in the two games. Tite feels, correctly, that it is essential for all players, but in particular those not guaranteed a spot yet, to know how to play soccer in a way that will win a game, especially one against a rival team like Germany whom they could face in the knockout stages.

Tite wants his remaining spots to be filled with players who have an understanding of his agenda and dream for the national team, and wants players who can add to the strengths already in place in the squad. It’s almost like Tite wants players to believe that he only has spots on the bench left to fill. If players know they have to work harder to just make it to the bench, they will realize just how much he expects of his starters and so called untouchable 15. He wants mutual respect from player to player, not jealousy. By keeping stars in the squad, he is creating chances for results, and these victories are galvanizing his team, and the nation as a whole. After all, what better way to create strength and drive than beating the team that embarrassed you in your own home just a few years ago?

It sounds odd, but this is an incredible strategy being performed by Tite, and it is working. Just look at the recent performances of Fred, Taison, and Douglas Costa for the national team. They are all growing and putting in quality shifts for the team. They have definitely strengthened their case for being on the final roster. I for one cannot wait to see if Tite’s strategy works out in the long run, and whether the World Cup trophy returns home to South America.