Brazilian football year in review

Brazil's head coach Dunga attends a news conference after a training session in Vienna November 17, 2014.  [Photo/Agencies]

RIO DE JANEIRO - Xinhua looks at the major talking points in Brazilian football during 2014.

THE GOOD

The appointment of Dunga for a second spell in charge of the national team after Brazil's World Cup elimination was received with an element of caution by Brazil's media.

But five months on, the decision by Brazil's football federation is now seen as a masterstroke.

The Selecao have since won each of their six friendlies since Dunga took charge, including victories over Argentina and the vastly improved Colombia.

Criticized for a perceived lack of discipline and organization under former coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, Brazil's players have taken little time to adapt to Dunga's more stringent approach.

THE BAD

How could we not mention Brazil's humiliating 7-1 loss to Germany in the World Cup semifinals? It was not just the result but the manner in which Scolari's team folded that shocked the football world.

The defeat perhaps eclipses even the infamous Maracanazo - when Brazil lost to Uruguay in the 1950 World Cup - as the lowest point in the history of Brazilian sport.

It equalled the Selecao's worst-ever losing margin in a competitive match and left the country's hopes of a sixth World Cup title on their own soil in tatters.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Twenty-one-year-old Lucas Silva has attracted interest from top European clubs after playing a leading role in Cruzeiro's second consecutive Brazilian Serie A title in 2014.

Silva is a central midfielder who is also capable of playing in a more attacking No. 10 role or on the wing.

The Brazil under-21 international revealed his agent, Luiz Rocha, has been negotiating with Real Madrid in recent weeks.

He is expected to come under strong consideration for an international call up in 2015.

BIGGEST SURPRISE

Roberto Firmino was rewarded for his outstanding form for Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim by being handed an international call up for Brazil's friendlies against Turkey and Austria in October.

And he didn't disappoint, scoring the winner in Brazil's 2-1 victory over Austria in Vienna.

Firmino is still relatively unknown to Brazilians, but the 23-year-old is set to be a big part of Dunga's plans for the 2015 Copa America in Chile next June and July.

The attacking midfielder is also reportedly attracting the interest of a host of English clubs, including Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United.

MOST MEMORABLE QUOTE

"A loss like this will mark the careers of all of us. It leaves a scar that we'll have to carry for the rest of our lives," - Striker Fred said after Brazil's 7-1 World Cup semifinal loss to Germany.