Time and time again – and probably increasingly in recent times – football shows that there is a big danger in placing too much importance in the results of international friendlies. But that is not to say they are worthless.
Uruguay coach Oscar Washington Tabarez argues that one of the explanations for the resurgence of his team is that, unlike a few years ago, Uruguay now seek to take advantage of almost all of the FIFA dates. These friendlies, he argues, are where the group is formed.
It is in this light that Brazil’s victories over Gabon and Egypt have to be seen. From the point of view of Mano Menezes it is always good to win, especially without conceding a goal. But the most important thing about them was the opportunity to consolidate and introduce new players to his group.
Hernanes is probably the most outstanding case. He was banished for a while after his first half red card against France in February. But he is too good and too versatile a player to be overlooked for ever. Last month he was back in the squad, coming off the bench against Costa Rica and Mexico. Now he was back in the team – and the performances he gave in both games should ensure that his name is included in future squads even when Brazil are at full strength.
Strikers Hulk and Jonas and goalkeeper Diego Alves can look back on the mini-tour with pleasure. And Alex Sandro was especially impressive at left back, a position that has been something of a problem in recent times.
He dealt well enough with Egypt’s most dangerous attacker, and also made key attacking contributions. His long diagonal cross field pass switched the direction of the attack and created the space for the first goal, and he also made one glorious solo run, latching on to Hulk’s backheel, sticking the ball through the legs of the Egyptian captain and striking a cool side foot shot that was turned round at the near post. It was a very impressive display from someone who would probably not have played had Adriano of Barcelona not picked up an injury.
Alex Sandro has plenty of time to develop before the next World Cup, as does recent World Youth Cup winner Dudu, who promises to be an interesting impact substitute when his pace down the flanks is unleashed against tiring defenders.
From a collective point of view, Menezes will surely be happy with the attacking participation of his midfield. Sandro and Hernanes scored against Gabon, and Elias also came close. In the Egypt game Fernandinho set up a great chance for Jonas and Bruno Cesar was involved in both goals. Come the World Cup Brazil will need plenty of attacking alternatives from midfield in order to break down deep defences – and they will also surely need the top class covering of Thiago Silva to protect themselves against the counter-attacks of the opposition.
The Milan centre back was Brazil’s captain against Egypt. There were at least three occasions when potential danger to the Brazilian goal was quietly and unfussily snuffed out by the pace, reading of the game and defensive quality of Thiago Silva.
These characteristics are going to be especially important if David Luiz continues as his defensive partner. The Chelsea centre back is very good in possession, and his ability to carry the ball out of defence is extremely useful. But the defensive side of his game is not nearly as good – especially against Gabon (when Thiago Silva sat on the bench) Brazil suffered with balls played behind David Luiz.
Another senior player who does not always convince is Lucas Leiva. Mano Menezes has full confidence in his former protégé, now used in the holding role in midfield. Is such confidence completely justified? Lucas can be drawn into committing fouls, and for my liking not enough of his passes are played first time. He is clearly a good player. But this role in 2014 will demand something special, and I’m not yet sure that he will be good enough.
Something that clearly was not good enough was the pitch in Gabon. Thursday’s match took place on something that was more like a ploughed field than an appropriate surface for top class football. It was fortunate that no one picked up a serious injury.
This might be an extreme example – but it would be unwise to dismiss the standard of the pitch as a part of the realities of African football. The new stadium, built to host the coming African Cup of Nations, looked impressive. But this is by no means the first time that a gleaming, expensive new or rebuilt stadium has been let down by a terrible pitch. It happened recently in the Copa America in Argentina; the pitch in La Plata, the principal stadium, was more sand than grass after the place had been closed while a roof was constructed. And even the new Wembley stadium was let down by a sub-standard playing surface when it opened.
There is a warning here for the 2014 World Cup. There is a race against time to construct or rebuild all those stadiums before the circus comes to town. But it should not just be a case of concrete and seats. The pitch should not be an afterthought.
