There will be neither a Samba nor a Rumba. There will be no Ronaldo dribbling for fun or a Ronaldinho dancing under the sun. There will be a German football style dressed in Yellow. That’s what you can expect from Brazil 2010 national team in South Africa.
Dunga proved a point again. First, as a player, he was one of the most unpopular players for Brazil fans. His football profile was too odd being magic free playing for a national team that promises football exhibitions. He was crucial in his team cruise to the world cup crown. When he started his new adventure as a coach, the beginnings were a bit shaky. The selections, the performance, the system, and the subs were dubious to say the least. But he was able to track and fix the errors with time. He knew that he will not be as lucky as previous coaches because his team lack the player who can decide the games via a single moment of magic. He decided to count on team based system rather than individuals quality. The result is one of the most systematically team oriented national teams in Brazil since 1994.
Yesterday I mentioned that Italy need to change their game approach a bit taking in consideration that they can’t count on their traditional quality defense anymore. Brazil since a while, are approaching their games with more defensive awareness (again since 1994), yet this 2010 team counts basically on solid defense with two holding midfielders in front to guide them to the title.
They can feel secured for having one of the best goalkeepers in the world at the moment. Enjoying his best form since many seasons, Lucio will be the leader of the defense accompanied by Juan and two attacking fullbacks, With Maicon being the reliable one and Bastos being the main gap defensively. That’s where the need of having Gilberto and Melo together in the midfield become a given. So far, so good. But this four player’s defense is just on paper. Brazil effectively play a 3-3-3-1/flexible while set offense with Bastros and Maicon moving forward to contribute in buildup and offense and Gilberto serving as a third Center back leaving Melo as a holding midfielder.
Defects:
Brazil is no doubt one of the most solid systems in this world cup. It’s not easy to raise concerns about this team. If there is anything that may cause them troubles it’s the lack of pace in the back (Assuming that Lucio-Juan-Gilberto will be the key players defensively). They will play against teams counting on counters and pace will be vital. If Lucio succeeded to deliver the same performance he showed with Inter this season, that may help their case. Another defensive bug is on the left. If I may put my money on a goal Brazil will concede it will be a long ball(cross or diagonal) played to a player running toward the far post on the left getting advantage of Bastos positioning (or lack of it) while the left center back is busy checking the opponent striker.
Offense wise, Kaka’s form will be vital to link midfield with offense and guarantee change of play which will be important against parked buses Brazil will face. Yet, the most notable concern is the lack of players who can create threat inside the box. Something they may need if the opponent left no spaces for the Brazilian forwards to demand the ball in the space or shoot from outside the box. Only Fabiano can get advantage of Maicon and Bastos crosses. That’s why I think it was better to use a player like Baptista can serve better than Elano the system Brazil is using.
Regardless of such tiny issues, there is no doubt that Brazil is a favorite for a world cup where –historically- favorites not always win. Their group is one of the strongest groups in the world cup with Portugal aiming to proceed and Ivory coast, a team I put lot of hopes that it will represent Africa like no team did before (though I am addicted to get disappointed when it come to African teams in the world cup). A complicated group but a perfect one for the Brazilians to stay focused from day one.
Iason Said,
Woowa what's going on with Spain? It looks likely that they will finish second and face Brazil... I think Spain is more likely to win that match, if they can get Torres and Cesc fully fit.
Posted on June 16, 2010 at 1:31 PM
Stephan Said,
I would like to Marchena starting as a DM in the next match. Spain only played with one DM in the Euros and they were fine. So I'd play either Marchena or Busquets there, since Alonso can't really be the only DM. Since there would only be one DM, then I would take away Capdevila (an attacking fullback) and play Puyol (a defensive fullback) at LB and Albiol at CB. That will give the defense more cover during set-pieces, and it would be a more Barcelona-esque defense with one very attacking fullback and one defensive that is like a third CB. My peferred Spain team:
Casillas; Ramos-Pique-Albiol-Puyol;Xavi-Marchena/Busquets-Iniesta; Pedro-Torres-Villa
I would play Pedro instead of Silva, because Pedro can actually play as a goal-scoring Winger, he has a better communication with Xavi and Iniesta, is very fast, plays better on the right rather than on the left, and mostly because pressures he very well and tracks back a lot. Navas would also be good, but he doesn't score many goals, and he is more a traditional 4-4-2 Winger, while Pedro can operate as both a traditional Winger and an "outside" forward in a 4-3-3. Not to mention that he is double-footed, so he would have no problems going the wing and crossing, or cutting in and shooting. In the last few friendlies, we have also seen a very creative side of him, creating many chances for his team mates.
Posted on June 16, 2010 at 3:23 PM
Anonymous_69 Said,
If you have time, can you write a preview of Portugal-Spain?
Posted on June 28, 2010 at 7:53 AM