Neymar, Dunga & more - five reasons Brazil will win Copa América 2015...

Ahead of this summer's South American spectacular in Chile, we offer arguments as to why it will be Brazil celebrating in Santiago The Copa América is now just a little over two months away and this edition is surely one of the most eagerly-anticipated of all time.

There are no shortage of candidates for success at this summer’s showpiece, with World Cup runners-up Argentina, hosts Chile, holders Uruguay and the fast-improving Colombia all having realistic claims on the trophy.

But here we put forward the case for Brazil and offer five reasons why we could be witnessing a Seleção success come July.
1. Neymar
Perhaps the most obvious place to start is with Brazil’s best and most influential player. Neymar’s goalscoring record for his country is quite astounding; after just 60 caps the 23-year-old has already amassed 42 goals and, as Romario opined this week, looks a certainty to eclipse Pele’s all-time record of 77. To put that into context, Lionel Messi has only managed three more than Neymar in 96 appearances for Argentina to date. But it is not just his goals, as he demonstrated at last year’s World Cup, Neymar seems to galvanise team-mates and fans alike – Brazil look a more energetic and
confident side when their lead man is calling the tune
It was well-documented that Brazil’s World Cup campaign fell horribly and unforgettably flat against Germany once Neymar had been sidelined. The exciting thing for Brazil fans ahead of this summer’s Copa in Chile is that, after a somewhat difficult first season in Spain, their idol is now producing something like his very best at club level for Barcelona as well. While Messi might remain the top dog at Camp Nou, Neymar is demonstrating just why the Catalans spent big to sign him from Santos. Goals, outrageous skills and work-rate… if Neymar can maintain form and fitness heading into the summer, he has the ability to help guide his country to a ninth Copa title.

2. Dunga
After the shambolic and humiliating end to a World Cup campaign on home soil that had initially promised much, it was clear changes would have to be made. The most obvious of them came in the leadership of the team, with Dunga brought in for a second spell at the helm. The 7-1 mauling by Germany brought with it plenty of soul-searching and reflection from officials and fans alike and the consensus seemed to be that Brazil could learn from their European conquerors who managed to combine attacking flair with tactical flexibility and a disciplined game-plan. Thus the call went out to Dunga, a coach who could help instill what he offered on the pitch as a tough, no-nonsense midfielder with defensive stee
Charged with rebuilding the national team and injecting more youth, the 51-year-old has made an ideal start to his second stint in charge. He has won all six of his matches to date, including a 2-0 Superclasico victory over great rivals Argentina last October, in which one of the players in whom he has placed so much faith, Diego Tardelli, scored both goals. Dunga has cleverly gone about lowering expectation levels and emphasising the need for a team ethos and hard work. Confidence has slowly but surely been restored and this is once again a team used to winning. With everyone pulling in the right direction, Dunga could help consign last summer’s trauma to the history books with victory in Chile… and let’s not forget he’s done it before having guided Brazil to success in Venezuela back in 2007.

3. Improved defence
It was no secret to anyone that Brazil’s defence needed to improve, particularly after a 7-1 defeat watched by the world. But under Dunga it has been transformed, his team have conceded just a solitary goal – and that a penalty against Austria in their last outing – during his six matches in command. They may be first-choice at Barcelona and Real Madrid, but attack-minded duo Dani Alves and Marcelo have been sacrificed for the more circumspect and reliable pair of Danilo and Luis Felipe at full-back. David Luiz remains in the heart of defence for Dunga’s new-look side, but alongside him is Atletico Madrid’s rugged Miranda who adds real discipline and steel next to the Paris Saint-Germain man.
That back-four has looked solid and stable and has become the foundation from which Brazil now build – indeed, even after their 4-0 win over Turkey last November it was the defence Dunga was keen to talk about. It’s a lot easier to win football matches keeping clean sheets and if Brazil can continue doing that in Chile, they certainly have the attacking players to do the business at the other end.

4. Not playing at home
While the support they received at last summer’s World Cup was vociferous, passionate and plentiful, one couldn’t shake the feeling that, as the tournament reached a climax, it became something of a burden. Fans so used to World Cup success seemed to be believe it was almost pre-ordained given it was being played on their own patch. Passion had almost become an all-consuming desperation by the time the Germany semi-final came around and the team appeared to be swept up in the hysteria. What followed was akin to a period of national mourning, players and fans almost unable to grasp the indignity that had befallen them.
There will be no such pressure this summer, given their status Brazil will always be amongst the favourites for the Copa, but this time they travel with determination rather than expectation. It will be Chile, with their golden generation of players, who will have to shoulder the hopes of the anxious host nation. Brazil will be only to happy to fly rather more under the radar… preferably all the way to the final in Santiago.
5. Recent history
Given their World Cup pedigree (no other team can boast five wins) it is something of a surprise that Brazil have only eight Copa América titles to their name – six fewer than Argentina and seven less than record-holders Uruguay. But what is notable about Brazil’s Copa record is that they are undoubtedly the most successful South American team of recent times. They have won five of the last 10 editions of the tournament and four of the last six. As mentioned previously, one of those was their 2007 success under Dunga when – having heading into the final against Argentina as underdogs – the supposedly ‘workmanlike’ Seleção ran out convincing 3-0 winners.In short, Brazil are serial winners and know what takes to emerge triumphant at this competition. There is no doubting that South American football is going through one of its strongest periods with Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Uruguay all live contenders for this summer’s crown given their recent exploits. But a rejuvenated Brazil have recent history on their side and the added incentive of trying to erase last summer’s misery from all Brazilian memories