Fernando Diniz, the interim coach of the Brazilian national football team, defended his strategy of fielding four forwards in the upcoming superclasico against Argentina, as part of the South American World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Scheduled for Tuesday at the Maracaná Stadium, this decision has drawn attention and scrutiny. Diniz, who is expected to lead Brazil until the likely appointment of Italian Carlo Ancelotti in mid-2024, emphasized in a press conference that deploying an offensive quartet is not a new tactic for Brazil. He acknowledged the team is transitioning to a more aggressive style of play, which might initially leave gaps in defense.

This strategy, first seen in Brazil's recent 2-1 defeat to Colombia, where Diniz also used four forwards, was criticized for leaving the defense exposed and the midfield lacking in creativity. Diniz explained that his approach to football is holistic, focusing on a more organic organization rather than separating the team into departments like offense and defense.

Diniz cited the 2022 World Cup, where Brazil played with a similar formation, including two strikers, Neymar as an attacker, and Lucas Paquetá in a more advanced role. He highlighted that this strategy is not as innovative as perceived and is part of a broader vision for the team.

In Monday's training session, the last before the match against Argentina, Diniz confirmed his intention to start with four attackers: Rodrygo, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, and Raphinha. This lineup replaces the injured Vinícius Junior with Gabriel Jesus.

Diniz expressed confidence in his team's resilience and determination to improve, emphasizing the need for balance without compromising offensive and creative power. Brazil’s recent losses to Uruguay and Colombia have placed them fifth in the qualifying standings, five points behind Argentina. Facing the challenge of potentially ending the year outside the World Cup qualification zone, Diniz expressed excitement and honor at the prospect of such a significant match at the Maracaná Stadium.

Acknowledging the potential for a negative reaction from the Maracaná crowd if things don't go well, Diniz also noted the impact of key player injuries, including Neymar, Vinícius, Casemiro, and Ederson. He stressed that Brazil is in a phase of renewal, with only three starters from the 2022 World Cup expected to play on Tuesday, giving talented new players the chance to adapt and shine. Diniz concluded by expressing the need to be cautious of Lionel Messi's impact on the game, acknowledging his significant influence on the field.