Written between the Venezuela and Paraguay games.
My next door neighbour, who had great pleasure mocking Argentina after their 1–1 draw with Bolivia, was no-where to be seen and his curtains were drawn. Was he in mourning as well? In fact the nation was grieving for an ex-president, Itamar Franco, who died on Saturday. However, following Brazil’s lacklustre performance you felt the flag at half-mast was somewhat appropriate.
Brazil’s first half performance was acceptable enough and they just lacked the all important opening goal. The second half performance however was dire. It was littered with one dimensional attacks that, as the game progressed, became few and far between. The number of clear cut chances were minimal and the whole performance somewhat lacklustre. No excuses. This wasn’t a nil – nil where the stronger side created chance after chance and peppered the opposition goal.
This Brazilian team seems full of players who may (or may not) be great players in the future. What it clearly lacks, especially in the final third, is a midfield playmaker who is a great player now. A leader who can dominate the opposition and change the tempo of the game. A player who can take charge and create something different for the forward line. The lack of a true playmaker was so evident that Brazil tried three different players in the position. Ganso, who started in the role, was later joined by both Elano and Sao Paulo’s Lucas. All three flattered to deceive.
Just hours earlier in Germany, Marta, arguably Brazil’s best number 10 right now, was showing the guys how it’s done with a breathtaking performance for the women’s team. Two goals, a great assist, breathtaking pace and some amazing skills. Just the kind of world class number ten the men’s team is crying out for.
On Sunday, Venezuela simply set out their stall: they stopped Brazil’s predictable outlet Daniel Alves who was pushed further and further back into his own half; they doubled or trebled up on Neymar and, when it was required, packed the box with seven or eight players. Brazil over played and over passed and complicated themselves; desperately trying to score the ‘perfect’ goal (when in fact any goal would have sufficed). Galvao Bueno, Globo TV’s answer to Des Lynam, seemed to agree. “Too much toque,” commented Brazil’s favourite football journo highlighting both Neymar and the woeful Robinho for their over exuberant playing of the ball and lack of directness.
Playing both Lucas and Ramires didn’t help either. Do one of the ‘greatest’ teams in the world with such a solid looking back four really need two defensive midfielders against ‘lowly’ Venezuela, a team whose forward line was led by Rondon, who was playing in Las Palmas reserves just 2 years ago?
After the last World Cup I noticed that Brazilian’s don’t mourn for long. After Argentina’s second nil – nil draw, this time with Colombia, the smile has already returned to my neighbour’s face. The flag is flying full again, but won’t be there long if Brazil do not improve.
