Mateus Cunha is the secret sauce that's sent Brazil's World Cup hopes soaring under Carlo Ancelotti's masterful guidance, reckons former Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva. The Manchester United striker has been a revelation in the tournament so far, and Leiva believes his versatility is key to the Samba Boys' success.
Cunha's unique blend of goal-scoring prowess and creative playmaking skills has got pundits purring - he's not just a traditional nine, but an adaptable 9.5 who can drop deep, link up with midfielders, or make runs in behind defenders. It's this unpredictability that's causing opposition coaches to sweat, especially when pitted against the likes of Vinicius Jr and Rayan.
Leiva draws parallels between Cunha's movement and that of his former teammate Roberto Firmino, highlighting how Cunha's deep runs can confuse defenders. If they follow him, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities for Brazil's wingers; if they don't, Cunha has the time and space to operate in the pockets between the lines, distribute passes or take shots.
And Leiva isn't alone in singling out Ancelotti as the mastermind behind Brazil's success. The Italian gaffer experimented with a host of forwards before settling on Cunha, and it's been a game-changer. The injury to Raphinha against Morocco only reinforced Cunha's importance, as Rayan's tendency to stay wide complemented Cunha's central movement.
Other teams will now be under no illusion about Cunha's influence, but Leiva reckons the striker's intelligence and football brain will make him a thorn in their sides. Ancelotti's tactical acumen has been key to Brazil's success, allowing them to dominate possession at times or change gear when needed.
And with Brazil peaking at just the right moment, they'll be looking to take that momentum into their tricky last-32 clash against Japan.
Source: Lucas Leiva