Author: Vishwajit Sawant
In his first game as coach of the Brazilian national team, Fernando Diniz wasted no time in leading a rigorous training session on Tuesday. With almost the entire team present, except for Gabriel Jesus, the coach orchestrated a session focused on the ball at the Mangueirão stadium in Belém, which will host the next match against Bolivia in the Qualifiers.
Despite minor setbacks, such as the absence of Gabriel Jesus, the day was marked by the arrivals of defender Marquinhos and striker Raphinha, who had faced travel problems in Lisbon the previous day. They landed in Belém in the early afternoon and quickly joined their teammates at the stadium.
The press were given access to the first 30 minutes of training, which gave them a glimpse of the players’ warm-up routines and condensed exercises on the pitch. The Mangueirão pitch was in impeccable condition, but the coaching staff expressed concern about the sweltering heat in Belém, opting to keep the surface damp to avoid overheating.
The training session began with goalkeepers Alisson, Ederson and Lucas Perri taking to the field, emphasizing their skills with the ball. From the start, they focused on playing the ball with their feet, with the coaches instructing them to start the play with the defenders, offer passing options, receive the ball back and involve the midfielders in their drills.
Diniz, known for his commitment to fluid, attacking soccer, seems to be wasting no time in passing on his tactical vision to the national team. His emphasis on building from the back and involving the goalkeepers in the build-up is in line with his preparation philosophy.
The first training session under Diniz’s leadership showed the meticulous approach that has made him a prominent figure in Brazilian soccer management. With practically the entire squad at their disposal and meticulous attention to detail, Brazilian fans have reason to be optimistic about the team’s performance in the upcoming qualifiers. Diniz’s tenure promises to be a period of evolution and refinement, as the national team aims to secure its place in international competitions.