Schäfer Makes Good Of Brazil Opportunity
Christian Schäfer's Brazil Side Secured Two Victories In His First Two Games In Charge
It has been all rosy for Christian Schäfer in his new role as Brazil manager so far, winning two games out of two during his first international window in friendlies against Russia and Bosnia & Herzegovina. The first game saw Schäfer return to Germany where Brazil faced Russia at the Allianz Arena in Munich, before then travelling to the Emirates Stadium in London to face Bosnia six days later. Schäfer implemented unique tactical systems in each game as he sampled his new squad and experimented with their abilities on the pitch.
Brazil captain Neymar stole all the headlines once more, scoring three times over the course of the two games. This takes his tally to 93 goals in 134 international appearances, a truly incredible record. Goalkeeper Flávio and full-back Jonathan were debutants against Russia, while central defender Ronaldo scored his first ever goal for his country at the Allianz Arena.
Brazil captain Neymar stole all the headlines once more, scoring three times over the course of the two games. This takes his tally to 93 goals in 134 international appearances, a truly incredible record. Goalkeeper Flávio and full-back Jonathan were debutants against Russia, while central defender Ronaldo scored his first ever goal for his country at the Allianz Arena.
![]()
vs Russia (31/08/2022)
vs Russia (31/08/2022)
Brazil's first game of the Schäfer era came against Russia at the Allianz Arena in an international friendly. Critics and fans alike were surprised to see Brazil line-up in a very unorthodox 3-4-2-1 formation, a team shape that has not been seen much of in the footballing world in recent years. No matter what formation was picked, an attacking trio of Neymar, Oscar and Malcom was sure to cause excitement.
It did not take long for the Seleção to score the opening goal, putting an early stamp on the game. Neymar's free-kick from the right hand side was whipped in to the penalty area with ferocity and Brazilian defender Ronaldo got his head on to the end of it to power the ball low past Russian goalkeeper Lodygin to mark Christian Schäfer's first game in charge with an early goal.
Dória very nearly doubled Brazil's advantage after 18 minutes. Neymar took a quick free-kick to pick out Thiago Maia in the box. The holding midfielder teed up Dória who's shot cannoned off the onrushing Lodygin and away from danger.
Brazil secured their second goal of the game just before the half-hour mark in fortunate circumstances. Wing-back Jorge easily dispossessed Roman Arkhipov, playing a short pass to Jonílson who in turn lofted the ball over the Russian defence. Vitaly Lystsov looked set to clear the ball until he miscued his effort, allowing the chasing Malcom to steal possession and slip the ball in to the Russian goal to double Brazil's advantage.
Russia clawed their way back in to the game, however, as they entered a spell of domination. Pecheritsa's finely struck volley forced an acrobatic save out of Ederson. Poor marking on behalf of the Brazilian defence allowed Arkhipov's back-post cross to be tapped in by Georgy Kostenko, with a minute remaining of the first half.
Russia looked to have leveled the game on the hour mark as Denis Kazakov squirmed passed a multitude of challenges before striking the post, and then seeing his second effort expertly tipped away by Ederson.
It was to be Schäfer's, and Brazil's, day and it was Neymar, the captain, who had the final say. Substitute Wendell powered in a cross from the left which was not fully cleared by the Russian defenders. The ball fell kindly to Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer, who powered a half-volley which whizzed in to the far corner, sealing the victory for Schäfer's Samba Squad.
It did not take long for the Seleção to score the opening goal, putting an early stamp on the game. Neymar's free-kick from the right hand side was whipped in to the penalty area with ferocity and Brazilian defender Ronaldo got his head on to the end of it to power the ball low past Russian goalkeeper Lodygin to mark Christian Schäfer's first game in charge with an early goal.
Dória very nearly doubled Brazil's advantage after 18 minutes. Neymar took a quick free-kick to pick out Thiago Maia in the box. The holding midfielder teed up Dória who's shot cannoned off the onrushing Lodygin and away from danger.
Brazil secured their second goal of the game just before the half-hour mark in fortunate circumstances. Wing-back Jorge easily dispossessed Roman Arkhipov, playing a short pass to Jonílson who in turn lofted the ball over the Russian defence. Vitaly Lystsov looked set to clear the ball until he miscued his effort, allowing the chasing Malcom to steal possession and slip the ball in to the Russian goal to double Brazil's advantage.
Russia clawed their way back in to the game, however, as they entered a spell of domination. Pecheritsa's finely struck volley forced an acrobatic save out of Ederson. Poor marking on behalf of the Brazilian defence allowed Arkhipov's back-post cross to be tapped in by Georgy Kostenko, with a minute remaining of the first half.
Russia looked to have leveled the game on the hour mark as Denis Kazakov squirmed passed a multitude of challenges before striking the post, and then seeing his second effort expertly tipped away by Ederson.
It was to be Schäfer's, and Brazil's, day and it was Neymar, the captain, who had the final say. Substitute Wendell powered in a cross from the left which was not fully cleared by the Russian defenders. The ball fell kindly to Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer, who powered a half-volley which whizzed in to the far corner, sealing the victory for Schäfer's Samba Squad.
Alan Dzagoev (Russia) 8.8Brazil Milestones:
- Christian Schäfer's first game in charge of Brazil.
- Flávio (GK) made his Brazil debut when he came on as a sub in the 75th minute.
- Jonathan (WBR) made his Brazil debut when he came on as a sub sin the 75th minute.
- Malcom (ST) scored his 30th Brazil goal.
- Ronaldo (DC) scored his 1st Brazil goal.
![]()
vs Bosnia & Herzegovina (06/09/2022)
vs Bosnia & Herzegovina (06/09/2022)
Christian Schäfer made three changes from the side that defeated Russia. Thiago Maia picked up a hernia during training prior the fixture, and Dynamo Dresden attacking midfielder Roberto Firmino was called up to the squad as a result. Casemiro took Maia's place in the starting line-up, while Lima and Russo came in for Jonílson and Malcom respectively.
It took thirty-five minutes for Brazil to open the scoring. Jorge's cross-field ball was controlled well by Hulk who teed up for Oscar for a first-time shot inside the box. The Chelsea star saw his shot blocked by defender Jozo Spikic, but the rebound fell kindly for Brazil's captain Neymar, who tapped home to score his second goal in as many games.
Oscar had an opportunity to double Brazil's lead before half-time when Lima slipped him in after a clever quick free-kick from Neymar. However, Oscar's shot was tipped away for a throw-in by Asmir Begovic. The resulting throw represented another opportunity for Brazil to score as Russo found space inside the box to power a strike in to the opposite corner. However, Begovic once again produced a theatrical save to deny Schäfer's side a second goal.
It was the scorer of the first goal who looked the most likely to produce something spectacular, and Neymar broke from kick-off of the second half through Bosnia's defence but his rasping strike from twenty yards out was beaten away by the Bosnian goalkeeper.
Neymar did, however, find the back of the net once more, as he fired a first time shot in to the bottom right corner from the fifteen yards out, following excellent link-up play between Casemiro and Lima, to secure yet another victory for Brazil.
Bosnia almost found a way back in to the game with five minutes remaining as Djerlek teed up Prcic at the edge of the box. However, the latter's ferocious drive was parried away by Ederson, but only as far as Djerlek. The Bosnian looked certain to score, but Ederson was on hand once more to protect his goal, producing a masterclass save to keep a clean sheet for him and his team mates.
It took thirty-five minutes for Brazil to open the scoring. Jorge's cross-field ball was controlled well by Hulk who teed up for Oscar for a first-time shot inside the box. The Chelsea star saw his shot blocked by defender Jozo Spikic, but the rebound fell kindly for Brazil's captain Neymar, who tapped home to score his second goal in as many games.
Oscar had an opportunity to double Brazil's lead before half-time when Lima slipped him in after a clever quick free-kick from Neymar. However, Oscar's shot was tipped away for a throw-in by Asmir Begovic. The resulting throw represented another opportunity for Brazil to score as Russo found space inside the box to power a strike in to the opposite corner. However, Begovic once again produced a theatrical save to deny Schäfer's side a second goal.
It was the scorer of the first goal who looked the most likely to produce something spectacular, and Neymar broke from kick-off of the second half through Bosnia's defence but his rasping strike from twenty yards out was beaten away by the Bosnian goalkeeper.
Neymar did, however, find the back of the net once more, as he fired a first time shot in to the bottom right corner from the fifteen yards out, following excellent link-up play between Casemiro and Lima, to secure yet another victory for Brazil.
Bosnia almost found a way back in to the game with five minutes remaining as Djerlek teed up Prcic at the edge of the box. However, the latter's ferocious drive was parried away by Ederson, but only as far as Djerlek. The Bosnian looked certain to score, but Ederson was on hand once more to protect his goal, producing a masterclass save to keep a clean sheet for him and his team mates.
Hulk (Brazil) 9.0
![]()
Next International Break
Next International Break
The next international break will see the Superclásico fixture against Argentina be played. The tie will be played in "La Bombonera" in Argentina this year. This will be Argentina's second Superclásico since Lionel Messi retired from international football, with Nicolás Otamendi now the captain of La Albiceleste. A friendly away to Saudi Arabia will follow the Superclásico, and allow for more tactical experimentation. The Superclásico, however, will be considered a must-win game, and Schäfer's first taste of football's box-office spectacle.
Previous Update: #17 - Brazil Squad: August-September 2022
Next Update: #19 - Brazil Squad: October 2022
vs Argentina (08/10/2022)
vs Saudi Arabia (11/10/2022)
