Man Utd forward Matheus Cunha was named on the bench for Brazil's opening game of the World Cup on Saturday.
Igor Thiago (far left) started over Thiago.
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There was surprise in Brazil when Carlo Ancelotti selected Brentford striker Igor Thiago to start over Matheus Cunha for their opening World Cup game.
Ancelotti wanted someone up front who would make the ball stick. “For this game, Igor is strong, he’s aggressive, he can fight for the ball in the air," the Italian manager explained. "I believe Igor can be good for the team in this game. It’s the small details that determine which player is chosen.”
However, the decision to start Thiago backfired. He struggled to get involved in the match as Morocco overwhelmed Brazil, and he was replaced in the 61st minute as Manchester United was introduced from the bench.
Thiago left the pitch after making just 16 touches and completing five passes. He missed a big chance in the first half, failing to turn a header home, and later, there were sarcastic cheers when he failed to pull off a dummy.
Cunha offered more when he came onto the pitch, but Ancelotti still gave him an earful from the touchline, appearing to go ballistic at him for not being in certain positions when Brazil were trying to attack.
Brazil drew 1-1 with Morocco and know they must improve if they want to go deep into the tournament. Ancelotti's side take on Haiti next, and which forward to pick down the middle will be at the forefront of his mind.
Ancelotti will have to choose between Thiago, Cunha, Endrick and Neymar, although the latter is currently nursing an ankle injury, meaning he is unlikely to feature from the first whistle against Haiti.
Cunha came on from the bench.
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Even if Neymar were at full fitness, he should not start over Cunha, who is more than capable of playing down the middle. The 27-year-old played centrally during his time at Wolves, and has shown a tendency to drift inside when he's started on the left wing since his switch to Manchester.
Cunha has been an important part of a fluid attacking line under Michael Carrick. Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko have interchanged positions to stretch the opponent and create space.
It was logical for Ancelotti to start Thiago against Morocco if the game plan hinged on fighting for the ball in the air, but it quickly became clear that those tactics would not cut it against the African side.
Brazil must keep the ball to reach the business stage of the World Cup, especially in the energy-sapping temperatures, so Cunha should be selected.
Thiago failed to take the opportunity handed to him, and Cunha is a much better fit to link up play when the ball is on the deck. Brazil's best teams have certainly not been associated with lumping the ball to a big man.
Cunha came into the World Cup in sparkling form, with seven of his 10 goals for United scored in the second half of the campaign, and his inclusion in the Brazil squad for the tournament was never in doubt.
The forward ended the season with a wonder goal at Stamford Bridge, a goal against Liverpool, and another on the penultimate day of the campaign against Nottingham Forest. He is ready to contribute for Brazil.
Ancelotti is one of the wisest coaches working in the game, so it would be a shock if he made the same mistake twice. United fans should be able to look forward to watching Cunha from the start in Brazil's next game.