'Cunha gives Brazil something they have maybe never had before'

[BBC] [Getty Images] It feels like Brazil are on track, and a big part of that is down to Matheus Cunha. He is the key to a lot of what we are doing so well. It is quite funny to be saying this because usually the Brazil public expects a classic number nine to be leading our attack, and Cunha is different to what the fans are normally looking for. He is more of a nine and a half. Someone who can play like a nine, but also a 10 to link play and create for others. So he is not like Ronaldo, Adriano or Romario, some of our great strikers of the past 30 years, but because he can also score goals - he has three so far at this tournament - he is not a playmaker, either. Instead, he gives the team something that Brazil have maybe never had before, in terms of a centre-forward anyway. Matheus Cunha's touch map in the 3-0 win against Scotland [BBC] In some ways, Cunha reminds me a lot of my old Liverpool team-mate Roberto Firmino in the way he is always dropping deep, and giving the defender marking him a doubt about what to do. If the defender follows him, it gives more space and freedom to Vinicius Jr and Bournemouth 's Rayan. If the defender leaves Cunha, then he has time to play between the lines, get on the ball and look for passes or shoot. Cunha seems very happy and comfortable with his role, including the defensive side of it when he starts the press or plays almost like a number six in front of the midfield, and it seems to be working for the team in terms of the balance it gives to our attack. Back home, more and more people are thinking Cunha is the answer and I just hope he continues like this. Yes, other teams will know about him now, and what he does - but he is such a clever player, he will still not be easy to stop. Read more on Cunha's impact for Brazil