What will Brazil’s performance analysts do at the FIFA World Cup?

A group of 10 performance analysts and assistant coaches will be Brazil coach Tite’s eyes, ears and insta brain processor at Qatar as the Selecao attempt to win the World Cup they last won 20 years ago.

While videos and match footage is inseperable from top teams at the FIFA, Brazilian support staff member Thomaz Koerich told Portuguese Globo.com that four members will also be present in-person at stadia of opponent matches to take in the panaromic view, and keep an eye on movements that the TV doesn’t capture or linger on.

Koerich stressed on “in loco” (on the spot) analysis, gleaned by the human eye as crucial to the campaign, just as much as videos collected with drones and overhead cranes. “At the stadium we didn’t miss any details of the game, tactical behaviors that sometimes the TV camera cuts by approaching and giving a close-up on only a certain athlete or by showing the replay. We don’t miss any detail of that moment,” Koerich explained.