The Selecao’s first step in their bid for a sixth World Cup was a 3-1 victory over Croatia on Thursday night, however, the final score flattered to deceive as Brazil were the beneficiary of some abysmal refereeing and dreadful goalkeeping from Stipe Pletikosa, but could not mask that hosts lacked a central creative spark to unleash their trademark jogo bonito style.
Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari employs a 4-2-3-1 formation relying on his centre-backs and two midfield ‘pivots’ to blunt opponent attacks and feed the ball to their bombarding full-backs, talented wide attackers and Neymar, however the tactic didn’t quite come off during the opening match in part thanks to Croatia’s talented midfield.
Under Scolari Inter midfielder Hernanes has been used primarily as a substitute replacing either Luis Gustavo or Paulinho, as he did against the Vatreni, but if the Selecao once again find themselves chasing a result or needing a certified regista to pull the strings and spring the likes of Oscar, Fred and Hulk on opposing defences, then he could soon find himself feature in the starting XI.
The 29-year-old former Sao Paulo player has been called up regularly and been a mainstay since ‘Big Phil’ took over Brazil’s coaching reigns a second time, playing in all five Confederations Cup matches last year, so it’s clear Hernanes has his coach’s trust.
However, despite his excellent form at both Inter and Lazio, Hernanes has rarely started for Brazil despite providing more creativity than the current starting midfield tandem or other options Ramires and Fernandinho.
Hernanes led Inter in key passes per match (2.6) last term and was second only to Argentinean Ricardo Alvarez for chances created (2.84), figures which dwarf his Brazilian midfield competition, and he certainly does not lack the will or desire to undertake the ‘dirty work’ required with an average of 2.5 tackles per game. Making him fourth in the Inter rankings during his half season at the San Siro and only bettered by their centre-back partnership and Esteban Cambiasso. Hernanes is certainly aiming to impress in Milan.
“When I arrived [at Inter] I told myself to not think of great things I could do but to focus instead on working hard because by doing that, good things will happen and one already has, like my selection to the Brazilian national team,” Hernanes told Sky Sport Italia last month when discussing his inclusion in the squad.
Without the demanding rigors of CONMEBOL qualifying, Brazil has not played a competitive match since cruising through the Confederations Cup last year and, despite reeling off nine consecutive friendly victories and outscoring opponents 30-2, Brazil lacked a crispness to their attack and suffered without a spark in the middle of the pitch in the opener.
Hernanes will be prepared to pounce on the opportunity of a lifetime should the Selecao require a bit of magic from the midfield maestro from the start on Tuesday against Mexico and should they secure victory his chance may come when Brazil wrap up their group fixtures against Cameroon already qualified.
