‘Brazil did not know who our best number nine was’published at 12:13 BST
12:13 BST
Brazil v Morocco (Mon, 18:00 BST)
Lucas Leiva
Former Brazil midfielder
Image source, Getty Images
In some ways, Matheus Cunha reminds me a lot of my old Liverpool team-mate Roberto Firmino in the way he is always dropping deep, and giving the defender marking him a doubt about what to do.
If the defender follows him, it gives more space and freedom to Vinicius Jr and Rayan. If the defender leaves Cunha, then he has time to play between the lines, get on the ball and look for passes or shoot.
Cunha seems very happy and comfortable with his role, including the defensive side of it when he starts the press or plays almost like a number six in front of the midfield, and it seems to be working for the team in terms of the balance it gives to our attack.
It was very strange for Brazil to be going into a World Cup without knowing who our best number nine was.
Even until the Scotland game, no-one knew who the first choice centre-forward would be.
I don’t think Ancelotti knew before the tournament either, because he tried Cunha, Igor Thiago, Endrick, Joao Pedro and Richarlison.
Sometimes, though, injuries help a manager make decisions. You can almost stumble on to a combination that works well and this time maybe one has helped Brazil.