Copa America Preview: Why preventing crosses and compacting space between the lines will be crucial for Chile to nullify Brazil – tactical analysis

Brazil take on Chile tonight at 1 am UK time at the Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos in Rio de Janeiro in what is likely to be a very interesting quarter-final of the Copa America.

Brazil managed to get out of the group stage rather unscathed, winning three of their four games in Group B. Tite’s men only dropped points in the final match against Ecuador but the starting eleven was heavily rotated.

Chile, on the flip side, finished fourth out of five teams in Group A. However, it must be noted that Group A featured Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay and was a much more difficult group than Brazil’s. Worryingly, Martín Lasarte’s side only picked up one win from the four games, although they also lost just once too. The Chileans did muster hard-fought draws against Argentina and Uruguay too though so there have been positives to take.

Brazil are the heavy favourites going into this one but perhaps an upset could be on the cards providing Chile can nullify the hosts’ attacking threats and exploit their weaknesses.

This article will be a tactical analysis preview of the Copa America quarter-final between Brazil and Chile. It will be an analysis of the tactics both sides will likely deploy as well as how they can win the game.

Predicted lineups and formations

Predicting Brazil’s starting lineup and formation choice for this game was incredibly difficult considering Tite has shown to be very flexible with his choice of system as well as what personnel are utilised.

Brazil have used three different formations in their four games so far. The 4-4-2 has been used in 50 percent of Brazil’s matches whilst the remaining 50 percent is split between the 4-3-1-2 and the 4-2-3-1. For this game though, the 4-4-2 is the likeliest formation choice and tends to suit most of Brazil’s players very well apart from one or two who find themselves playing in an irregular position.

This is likely to be Brazil’s starting eleven against Chile. There are multiple other possible players who could also start though. Renan Lodi may start at left-back instead of Alex Sandro or else Danilo will be utilised as a left fullback and new Barcelona signing Emerson could be given the nod.

Alisson seems to be Tite’s preferred goalkeeper but Ederson has a good chance of starting too. In a double-pivot, Fred and Casemiro have formed an unlikely but quality duo, however, Liverpool’s Fabinho is another option on the bench that the manager may look to.