I will start off this post by saying that I am one of the converts who prefer solid, consistent and organized football as compared to flashy and near sucidal styles. I think what makes a great football team is one that can tighten its midfield and turn the game with quick forays to the final third. It is a little bit like the Arsenal of 1997-2002. Strong defense, tight midfield, quick wingers, fast strikers. It gives the team a hell lot of confidence.
So naturally in this World Cup, I picked Brazil. A different Brazil from the past. One that did not rely on ‘samba’ football but was more European like and very organized. Brazil did well in every game until Netherlands. This will not be a long post but after watching the game, I’d like to post a few points.
1. Incapable Backups
Brazil’s first team would beat any team in the world. But not when Elano and Ramires were out. The second strings did not live up and Melo was not even close to becoming Gilberto Silva’s partner in the key part of its formation. Melo self destructed under pressure (most Juve fans would not be surprised).
2. No Plan B
I was surprised at the quality of the substitutes or tatics used when Brazil was down 2-1. You would have thought they would replaced one of the DMs (probably Melo) to bring an extra attacking midfielder. But a one for one change of Nilmar (what? no Pato?) for Fabiano meant that Netherlands did not need to really sit tight at the back with 10 men. Brazil had awesome first touch but while that brought them past 1 or 2 defenders, they did not have sufficient firepower upfront. More or less the team remained more or less the same even when 2-1 down. More urgency yes, but ineffective tactics.
3. Too defensive
Arsenal fans know this best. Sitting on a 1-0 lead and losing in the end. Brazil simply did not press or close down the Dutch fast enough after a 1-0 lead. I’m surprised because that was what they did effectively to Ivory Coast, Portugal and Chile. Instead they kept sitting back. Their team is more than capable to play a continual pressing game to shake the confidence of the Dutch attackers who grew in confidence as they were allowed to continually raid the flanks. It changed after Brazil fell 2-1 down but that could have been easily adverted.
So what’s left? What’s next? Spain is probably hot favourites now but Chile has shown how frail they can be. Press them and deny them space and their defense will crack. Argentina has a multitude of talents but are not well drilled defensively. The Germans look well balanced but inexperience can cost them at this knockout level. Netherlands may have beaten Brazil but what they showed in that game was more of continual pressure and hoping the other team cracks. Their forwards, chiefly Van Persie have been playing poorly (Netherlands had a good chance to turn this game 3-1 or 4-1 but they sat on the ball even when 1 on 1) and they rely a lot on Robben and Sneidjer. When denied space on the flanks, they are in serious trouble.
Quite frankly I believe the World Cup is heading to Europe but there are no clear favourites now. This actually it a good cup to watch actually.
Argentina vs Germany would be a cracker to watch. Go Germans!