Thursday, July 5, 2018

Belgium Likely To Use Aerial Route Against Brazil in 2018 World Cup Quarterfinals

Brazil face Belgium tomorrow in the 2018 World Cup quarterfinals in Kazan in a rematch of their 2002 World Cup encounter in the round of 16. This time, Brazil are much more organized defensively although, admittedly, they need to be since their attack lacks the caliber of Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho from the 2002 era under Luiz Felipe Scolari. Belgium are likely to play physical football in combination with aerial balls that can cause problems for their opponents. Although Belgium are well known for their possession football, they are likely to use the combination of their passing game with aerial balls to Lukaku, Hazard and Fellaini into the box to destabilize Brazil in much the same way that they did against Japan in the round of 16. Another important question concerns whether Belgium coach Roberto Martinez will opt for a Belgian back line of three or four defenders against a Brazil team that can attack both down the center as well as the flanks.

Brazil will attack down the left flank through combination play between Marcelo and Neymar, the latter of whom will diagonally cut inside to create space for his teammates. Expect a physical game where Neymar receives harsh treatment and attempted provocations that attempt to goad him into bookable offenses. Brazil can temper the physical quality of the match by scoring early and then maintaining possession. Willian and Gabriel Jesus are overdue for a goal, so one would also expect that they will seize the initiative to shoot on goal as opportunities permit. Meanwhile, Neymar is steadily growing in confidence and is beginning to figure out how to find space against European defenses. Brazil should win this handily unless they concede early and are forced to play without their strongest lineup because of yellow or red cards.