With Bukayo Saka withdrawing from the England squad to face Brazil, the anticipated matchup against Wendell at Wembley will not materialize on Saturday. Last week, Saka and Wendell faced off as Arsenal triumphed over Porto to advance to the Champions League quarterfinals.
Wendell, the left-back, will likely start against England, aiming for his first international cap at the age of 30. The other left-back in the Brazil squad, Ayrton Lucas, has not featured for the national team since a year ago, struggling in his last appearance against Senegal. Similarly, right-back Yan Couto faced difficulties against Vinícius Júnior in a recent match.
The historical significance of Brazilian full-backs is highlighted, tracing back to the trauma of losing the 1950 World Cup. Brazil's defensive adjustments over the years led to the evolution of full-back roles, emphasizing attacking contributions.
The evolution of Brazilian football tactics saw a shift towards wingers, impacting the role of full-backs. The modern full-back is expected to be versatile, contributing defensively and offensively. Brazil's current squad reflects a blend of attacking full-backs and midfielders to maintain balance.
The team's defensive struggles under previous coach Fernando Diniz underscore the importance of tactical adjustments. Brazil's upcoming matches against England and Spain will test their defensive resolve and the effectiveness of their full-backs in supporting the team's objectives.
