Brazil coach Mano Menezes announced his selection of players for September friendlies against South Africa and China on Thursday. Menezes selected many of the players who played in the 2012 Olympics and Brazil’s recent friendly against Sweden. Mano dropped Paulo Henrique Ganso and Alexandre Pato from the squad, the latter of whom is suffering from a recent injury. In addition to players from the Olympic squad, the selection features Barcelona's Dani Alves, Corinthians defensive midfielder Paulinho, Chelsea midfielder Ramires, Vasco da Gama’s exciting central defender Dede and Atletico Mineiro’s central defender Rever.
Highlights of Mano’s squad selection include the following:
•The continued omission of Ronaldinho and Kaka, who now appear to be almost squarely out of contention for a spot in the national team as long as Menezes is in charge
•The return of Real Madrid's Marcelo to the left back position after sitting out the game against Sweden due to a red card earned in the recent friendly against Argentina
•The inclusion of Olympic stars Oscar, Neymar, Leandro Damiao and Hulk
•The inclusion of Dede and Rever as alternatives to Juan Jesus and Bruno Uvini from the Olympic squad
Overall, it appears that Mano wants to keep the same formation as he did in the Olympics by playing with three attackers in the form of Neymar, Leandro Damiao and Hulk. Oscar will play behind the attacking three. The only remaining question is whether Sandro and Romulo will partner deeper in midfield, or whether Mano will opt for Paulinho or Arouca as options behind Oscar. Another possibility—and we saw this against Sweden—is to start with Oscar and Ramires behind Neymar and Damiao, and drop Hulk from the starting lineup.
The only thing that makes this squad interesting is the deserved omission of Ganso even though the Santos midfielder received much adulation from the Brazilian press over the last two years. That said, Oscar still needs help in midfield and it’s not clear that the players are there to support him. On a good note, Mano is shoring up Brazil’s defensive back line after the Mexico debacle and the friendly against Argentina where they conceded four goals. Talk of Dede’s inclusion in the Selecao has been in the works for a long time, now, and this is a terrific opportunity for him to build on his substitute performance against Sweden on August 15.
Brazil play South Africa on September 7 at the Morumbi Stadium in Sao Paulo and then face China on September 10 at the Arruda Stadium in Recife. Failure to win even one of these friendlies will mean that the chorus for Mano's dismissal will grow even louder than at present. Today's squad selection is somewhat disappointing given the availability of the likes of Hernanes and Fernandinho, but Mano deserves credit for choosing several Brazil-based players that may be more adaptable to his fluid vision for the team.
Brazil Squad For September Friendlies Against South Africa and China
Goalkeepers: Cássio (Corinthians), Diego Alves (Valencia), Jefferson (Botafogo)
Central Defenders: Dedé (Vasco), Réver (Atlético-MG), Thiago Silva (PSG), David Luiz (Chelsea)
Wide Defenders: Adriano (Barcelona), Alex Sandro (Porto), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Marcelo (Real Madrid)
Midfielders: Arouca (Santos), Lucas Moura (São Paulo), Oscar (Chelsea), Paulinho (Corinthians), Ramires (Chelsea), Rômulo (Spartak Moscow), Sandro Ranieri (Tottenham)
Strikers: Hulk (Porto), Jonas (Valencia), Leandro Damião (Internacional), Neymar (Santos)
Showing posts with label Mano Menezes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mano Menezes. Show all posts
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Mano Menezes, Brazil's Midfield And The Ronaldinho Card
In recent weeks, the soccer blogosphere has been filled with commentary about Brazil’s defeat to Mexico in the Olympic final, and much attention has focused on Mano Menezes, the coach of the Brazilian national team. Many people—World Cup legend Romario included—have called for his dismissal, and rumors have proliferated about other options investigated by the CBF including Pep Guardiola and Luis Felipe Scolari. One school of thought, most famously propounded by Romario, maintains that Mano Menezes erred in selecting Hulk over David Luiz as one of the three overage players. The other school of thought maintains that Mano’s problem was that he failed to start Hulk for the final against Mexico, leaving the right flank exposed and leading to the first Peralta goal. As the celebrated blogger Jack Lang notes, "that Menezes failed to replicate the gung-ho nature of this decision [to include Hulk] in his starting 11 was the greatest frustration of a hugely disappointing afternoon for Brazil."
The reality is, the central question about the state of Brazilian football today does not concern Hulk or the Brazilian back line. Brazil have a phenomenal set of four defenders in the form of Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Dani Alves and Marcelo. The quality of the Brazilian defense was on display in the 3-0 victory against Sweden on August 15. The central question for Brazilian football today concerns the composition of the midfield, and this is the area that Menezes himself singled out in 2010 as the area in which Brazil was having problems. The secondary, related question about the Brazilian national team concerns team leadership and mentorship on the pitch itself, in the heat of the battle.
The issues with the Brazilian midfield are as follows:
• Recent Chelsea signing Oscar is an extraordinary player with vision, skill and creativity. That said, he failed to run the Brazilian midfield in the final against Mexico, and the same could be said of other matches as well. This is not a criticism of Oscar per se. It’s more a function of his style of play, temperament and the slightness of his physical presence.
• Only Ronaldinho can provide Brazil with the direction in midfield and overall leadership and fight that the team needs. Some people—though the number is becoming fewer and fewer—claim that role can be filled by the injury prone Paulo Henrique Ganso. Others will argue Kaka can do the same. The reality is that Ganso has barely played for Brazil in the last two years, and when he has, he has been less than spectacular. Kaka failed to give Brazil the direction it needed in the match against the Netherlands in World Cup 2010 in a high pressure situation. Moreover, Kaka has little experience playing alongside this generation of Brazilian-based players. Ronaldinho may be able to partner with Oscar in an attacking midfield pairing that complements Oscar’s skill and work ethic with Dinho’s singular ability to impose himself on a game.
• Hernanes and Lucas Moura represent other options that Menezes may want to consider alongside Oscar and Ronaldinho. The Lazio playmaker is known for his ability to play in the center of the park in a genuinely ambidextrous vein on either the left or right side of midfield. Paris Saint-Germain bound Lucas Moura could be yet another option for Brazil, making up the fourth wheel in a midfield quartet now composed of Oscar, Ronaldinho, Hernanes and Lucas Moura.
• Philosophically, Menezes shows allegiances to the legendary, attacking Brazilian coach Tele Santana by wanting playmakers deep in midfield as opposed to holding midfielders such as Lucas Leiva known for the bite of their tackle. Brazil 1982, recall, had Falcao and Cerezzo as deeper lying midfielders behind Socrates and Eder. Brazil 2014 can feature Oscar and Ronaldinho in what amounts to two number 10 shirts that would ideally be supplemented by playmaking ability deeper in midfield as well. Romulo and Sandro did well for the Olympic squad, but do not have the skill and experience to break down teams like Spain and Germany at the 2014 World Cup.
• Ronaldinho is back in form as demonstrated by his performances for Atletico Mineiro. In recent weeks, Dinho has chosen to show his stuff on the field and remain mostly silent off it. More importantly, Ronaldinho provides a young Brazilian team with leadership and experience that they will need when the team goes down by a goal or two and faces 10 men behind the ball for extended periods of time.
Mano Menezes should select Ronaldinho for the upcoming friendlies on September 7 and 10 against South Africa and China. He himself has described Dinho as “part of a project." Now is the time to bring Dinho firmly back into the fold and let him lead the Selecao, assuming, of course, that the former 2004 and 2005 FIFA World Player of The Year continues to deliver quality performances and a respectable attitude.
The reality is, the central question about the state of Brazilian football today does not concern Hulk or the Brazilian back line. Brazil have a phenomenal set of four defenders in the form of Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Dani Alves and Marcelo. The quality of the Brazilian defense was on display in the 3-0 victory against Sweden on August 15. The central question for Brazilian football today concerns the composition of the midfield, and this is the area that Menezes himself singled out in 2010 as the area in which Brazil was having problems. The secondary, related question about the Brazilian national team concerns team leadership and mentorship on the pitch itself, in the heat of the battle.
The issues with the Brazilian midfield are as follows:
• Recent Chelsea signing Oscar is an extraordinary player with vision, skill and creativity. That said, he failed to run the Brazilian midfield in the final against Mexico, and the same could be said of other matches as well. This is not a criticism of Oscar per se. It’s more a function of his style of play, temperament and the slightness of his physical presence.
• Only Ronaldinho can provide Brazil with the direction in midfield and overall leadership and fight that the team needs. Some people—though the number is becoming fewer and fewer—claim that role can be filled by the injury prone Paulo Henrique Ganso. Others will argue Kaka can do the same. The reality is that Ganso has barely played for Brazil in the last two years, and when he has, he has been less than spectacular. Kaka failed to give Brazil the direction it needed in the match against the Netherlands in World Cup 2010 in a high pressure situation. Moreover, Kaka has little experience playing alongside this generation of Brazilian-based players. Ronaldinho may be able to partner with Oscar in an attacking midfield pairing that complements Oscar’s skill and work ethic with Dinho’s singular ability to impose himself on a game.
• Hernanes and Lucas Moura represent other options that Menezes may want to consider alongside Oscar and Ronaldinho. The Lazio playmaker is known for his ability to play in the center of the park in a genuinely ambidextrous vein on either the left or right side of midfield. Paris Saint-Germain bound Lucas Moura could be yet another option for Brazil, making up the fourth wheel in a midfield quartet now composed of Oscar, Ronaldinho, Hernanes and Lucas Moura.
• Philosophically, Menezes shows allegiances to the legendary, attacking Brazilian coach Tele Santana by wanting playmakers deep in midfield as opposed to holding midfielders such as Lucas Leiva known for the bite of their tackle. Brazil 1982, recall, had Falcao and Cerezzo as deeper lying midfielders behind Socrates and Eder. Brazil 2014 can feature Oscar and Ronaldinho in what amounts to two number 10 shirts that would ideally be supplemented by playmaking ability deeper in midfield as well. Romulo and Sandro did well for the Olympic squad, but do not have the skill and experience to break down teams like Spain and Germany at the 2014 World Cup.
• Ronaldinho is back in form as demonstrated by his performances for Atletico Mineiro. In recent weeks, Dinho has chosen to show his stuff on the field and remain mostly silent off it. More importantly, Ronaldinho provides a young Brazilian team with leadership and experience that they will need when the team goes down by a goal or two and faces 10 men behind the ball for extended periods of time.
Mano Menezes should select Ronaldinho for the upcoming friendlies on September 7 and 10 against South Africa and China. He himself has described Dinho as “part of a project." Now is the time to bring Dinho firmly back into the fold and let him lead the Selecao, assuming, of course, that the former 2004 and 2005 FIFA World Player of The Year continues to deliver quality performances and a respectable attitude.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
A Day Of Sadness For Brazil Fans: Mexico Defeats Brazil 2-1 In The 2012 Olympic Final
Today was a day of sadness for Brazil football fans all over the world. We began by thinking that Brazil might clinch Olympic gold for the first time in its history. Instead, the match unfolded like a horror movie with everything going against plan from the 29th second onwards. It reminded me, and Brazil fans all over the world, of Brazil's tragic loss to France in the 1998 World Cup final. Now, we don’t know what will happen to Mano Menezes, the team at large and its players. Within the space of 90 minutes, the way forward for the Selecao suddenly became dark, unsure and lonely. Most of us respect the innovation that Menezes injected into the team by playing with high lines, ultra-attacking formations and players that are based in Brazil. But while we certainly need victories, we do not want to turn to the counter-attacking football of Carlos Dunga, Muricy Ramalho or Joel Santana.
We want attractive, stylish, attacking football that fields strikers that score goals. We want style and artistry on the pitch and creativity and freedom. To help the Selecao, in the months that follow, this blog will return to the history of the game, and bring back to life its greatest moments from Garrincha and Vava to Pele, Socrates, Zico, Romario, Bebeto, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaka. As a community of fans, let us insist that Brazil bring back the beautiful game while at the same time securing victories and trophies as well.
The 2014 World Cup is two years away. As fans, bloggers and journalists, let us fight to help Brazil by resurrecting the history of the game and reminding the world and Brazil itself of its glory as the greatest footballing nation of all time. Together, we will bring back the beautiful game to Brazil and the footballing world. And let us still believe that Brazil can lift the World Cup trophy in 2014.
A defeat is a defeat. We must walk away with our heads held high, because much progress was made during these few weeks at the 2012 London Olympics. At the same, we need to continue to rebuild as a team and allow Brazil to find its glorious, arrogant, attacking, free flowing true nature.
And congratulations to Mexico, which is gradually one becoming of the world's best footballing nations. Mexico will be one of the favorites for World Cup 2014, without any question.
We want attractive, stylish, attacking football that fields strikers that score goals. We want style and artistry on the pitch and creativity and freedom. To help the Selecao, in the months that follow, this blog will return to the history of the game, and bring back to life its greatest moments from Garrincha and Vava to Pele, Socrates, Zico, Romario, Bebeto, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaka. As a community of fans, let us insist that Brazil bring back the beautiful game while at the same time securing victories and trophies as well.
The 2014 World Cup is two years away. As fans, bloggers and journalists, let us fight to help Brazil by resurrecting the history of the game and reminding the world and Brazil itself of its glory as the greatest footballing nation of all time. Together, we will bring back the beautiful game to Brazil and the footballing world. And let us still believe that Brazil can lift the World Cup trophy in 2014.
A defeat is a defeat. We must walk away with our heads held high, because much progress was made during these few weeks at the 2012 London Olympics. At the same, we need to continue to rebuild as a team and allow Brazil to find its glorious, arrogant, attacking, free flowing true nature.
And congratulations to Mexico, which is gradually one becoming of the world's best footballing nations. Mexico will be one of the favorites for World Cup 2014, without any question.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Mano Menezes Omits Ronaldinho In Favor Of Youth For Brazil Friendlies Before Olympics
Brazil coach Mano Menezes announced a list of 23 players for Brazil's upcoming friendlies against Denmark, the United States, Mexico and Argentina. Notably, Menezes omitted Ronaldinho even though the two time FIFA World Player of the Year had been listed in a provisional list of over 50 players for the Olympic squad. Ronaldinho's omission from the Brazil roster for its upcoming friendlies almost certainly means that the Flamengo star is likely to be omitted from the 2012 Olympic squad. Kaka, Robinho, Ramires and Hernanes were also omitted as the Brazil coach opted to focus on youth, particularly in midfield. In case there was any doubt as to the relation between the squad he named today and Brazil's squad for the Olympics, Mano remarked, "It's correct to affirm that these 23 names are the base of the Olympic team. It's unlikely we will make any changes. After making evaluations in the last few months, we think these are the names (for London)."
AC Milan's Alexandre Pato was recalled after a lengthy hiatus from the Brazilian national team, chiefly due to injury problems. Pato joins Neymar, Leandro Damiao and FC Porto's Hulk in an intriguing attacking line-up that is likely to feature three strikers. Expect to pencil Neymar's name into the squad in ink given his spectacular performances for Santos over the last couple of years. Neymar, who generally plays on the left, is likely to be supplemented by Leandro Damiao in the center forward role and Hulk in his traditional position as a right winger.
The options in midfield are such that Mano Menezes has virtually conceded the center of the park to Paulo Henrique Ganso, the Santos playmaker and attacking midfielder who is known for his ability to read games and single-handedly change the tempo of a game. Ganso has an almost telepathic relationship with Neymar and is famous for delivering killer passes to the spiky haired Santos striker. Separately, Ganso combines well with Neymar on dangerous attacking plays in which he takes the goal scoring initiative as an attacking midfielder.
Ganso will be supplemented by Tottenham's defensive midfielder Sandro and Lucas Moura of Sao Paulo, the attacking midfielder with extraordinary pace and dribbling ability. Casemiro and Oscar, FIFA U-20 World Cup champions, bring additional flair to the midfield mix. Oscar scored the hat-trick against Portugal in the final of the U-20 World Cup and has been dubbed the new Kaka because of a similar gait and style of play. The bottom line here is that Brazil's most recent squad is bursting with youth, creativity, vision and attacking power in midfield despite Ronaldinho's absence. Mano explained Ronaldinho's omission by noting:
Supporters need to understand that sometimes they think one man can be the solution to all of Brazilian football's problems and it does not work out like that. Now is the time to look at younger options...If things are not going well, you make a change. But you have to respect Ronaldinho, he is a world champion. He is the type of player who can rebound and surprise everyone.
The back line features the most experienced players in the team in the form of Thiago Silva, Dani Alves, Marcelo and David Luiz, all of whom are over the age of 23. Accounting for goalkeeper Jefferson and Hulk, the Brazil squad currently features six players over the age of 23. That number will need to be trimmed down by half given that the Olympics allows for only three players over the age of 23. Brazil's prototype Olympic squad will play Denmark in Hamburg, Germany on May 26 followed by friendlies against the United States, Mexico and Argentina on May 30, June 3 and June 9 respectively.
Brazil Squad for Friendlies Against Denmark, United States, Mexico and Argentina
Goalkeepers
Jefferson (Botafogo), Neto (Fiorentina), Rafael (Santos)
Defenders and Wingers
Alex Sandro (Porto), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Danilo (Porto), Bruno Uvini (Tottenham), David Luiz (Chelsea), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Juan (Inter Milan)
Midfielders
Casemiro (Sao Paulo), Romulo (Vasco da Gama), Sandro (Tottenham), Ganso (Santos), Lucas (Sao Paulo), Oscar (Internacional), Giuliano (Dnipro-UCR)
Attackers
Neymar (Santos), Leandro Damiao (Internacional), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Wellington Nem (Fluminense), Hulk (Porto)
AC Milan's Alexandre Pato was recalled after a lengthy hiatus from the Brazilian national team, chiefly due to injury problems. Pato joins Neymar, Leandro Damiao and FC Porto's Hulk in an intriguing attacking line-up that is likely to feature three strikers. Expect to pencil Neymar's name into the squad in ink given his spectacular performances for Santos over the last couple of years. Neymar, who generally plays on the left, is likely to be supplemented by Leandro Damiao in the center forward role and Hulk in his traditional position as a right winger.
The options in midfield are such that Mano Menezes has virtually conceded the center of the park to Paulo Henrique Ganso, the Santos playmaker and attacking midfielder who is known for his ability to read games and single-handedly change the tempo of a game. Ganso has an almost telepathic relationship with Neymar and is famous for delivering killer passes to the spiky haired Santos striker. Separately, Ganso combines well with Neymar on dangerous attacking plays in which he takes the goal scoring initiative as an attacking midfielder.
Ganso will be supplemented by Tottenham's defensive midfielder Sandro and Lucas Moura of Sao Paulo, the attacking midfielder with extraordinary pace and dribbling ability. Casemiro and Oscar, FIFA U-20 World Cup champions, bring additional flair to the midfield mix. Oscar scored the hat-trick against Portugal in the final of the U-20 World Cup and has been dubbed the new Kaka because of a similar gait and style of play. The bottom line here is that Brazil's most recent squad is bursting with youth, creativity, vision and attacking power in midfield despite Ronaldinho's absence. Mano explained Ronaldinho's omission by noting:
Supporters need to understand that sometimes they think one man can be the solution to all of Brazilian football's problems and it does not work out like that. Now is the time to look at younger options...If things are not going well, you make a change. But you have to respect Ronaldinho, he is a world champion. He is the type of player who can rebound and surprise everyone.
The back line features the most experienced players in the team in the form of Thiago Silva, Dani Alves, Marcelo and David Luiz, all of whom are over the age of 23. Accounting for goalkeeper Jefferson and Hulk, the Brazil squad currently features six players over the age of 23. That number will need to be trimmed down by half given that the Olympics allows for only three players over the age of 23. Brazil's prototype Olympic squad will play Denmark in Hamburg, Germany on May 26 followed by friendlies against the United States, Mexico and Argentina on May 30, June 3 and June 9 respectively.
Brazil Squad for Friendlies Against Denmark, United States, Mexico and Argentina
Goalkeepers
Jefferson (Botafogo), Neto (Fiorentina), Rafael (Santos)
Defenders and Wingers
Alex Sandro (Porto), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Danilo (Porto), Bruno Uvini (Tottenham), David Luiz (Chelsea), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Juan (Inter Milan)
Midfielders
Casemiro (Sao Paulo), Romulo (Vasco da Gama), Sandro (Tottenham), Ganso (Santos), Lucas (Sao Paulo), Oscar (Internacional), Giuliano (Dnipro-UCR)
Attackers
Neymar (Santos), Leandro Damiao (Internacional), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Wellington Nem (Fluminense), Hulk (Porto)
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Menezes Holds Bar High For Kaka's Return To Selecao
Brazil coach Mano Menezes has explained his decision not to include Kaka in the preliminary roster for the Olympics by noting that he would prefer Kaka play the entire pre-season for Real Madrid, particularly given the importance of the 2012-2013 season for the Real Madrid midfielder’s chances of securing a place in the 2014 World Cup. As reported on Goal.com, Menezes made the following remarks on the chances of Kaka’s return to the Selecao in an interview with Brazilian channel sporTV:
On one hand, these are highly appropriate comments given Kaka’s recent history of injuries and continuing struggle to return to form over the last three years. On the other, reading between the lines of Menezes's remarks, one can safely assume that Kaka’s return to the Selecao will require nothing short of a spectacular return to form over a sustained period of time. Kaka clearly does not fit into Menezes’s plans for the Brazilian national team given the surfeit of talent at his disposal in an attacking midfield position. Mano favors Ronaldinho, Hernanes and Ganso in the playmaker role, for starters, and additionally has his eye on Lucas Moura. All this means that Kaka will need to deliver something short of a miracle to earn back his place in the national team. Knowing Kaka, however, a miraculous return to form may not be entirely out of the Real Madrid midfielder’s grasp, vision and circle of hope. Kaka is no stranger to miracles either of a medical nature or as demonstrated by his miraculous form at AC Milan, soon after his transplantation to Europe from Sao Paulo. Kaka made a miraculous recovery from a swimming pool accident that happened in October 2000.
"I think that Kaka can play a big role at the World Cup in 2014. I think that in order for than to happen, the next season will be very important. 2012-13 will say if he can play one more World Cup. And for this to happen, the pre-season will be crucial for him. And it happens that the Olympic Games take place exactly during pre-season in Europe. If I believe that he can be at the World Cup and that next season will be crucial, then I have to let him do what he needs to do."
On one hand, these are highly appropriate comments given Kaka’s recent history of injuries and continuing struggle to return to form over the last three years. On the other, reading between the lines of Menezes's remarks, one can safely assume that Kaka’s return to the Selecao will require nothing short of a spectacular return to form over a sustained period of time. Kaka clearly does not fit into Menezes’s plans for the Brazilian national team given the surfeit of talent at his disposal in an attacking midfield position. Mano favors Ronaldinho, Hernanes and Ganso in the playmaker role, for starters, and additionally has his eye on Lucas Moura. All this means that Kaka will need to deliver something short of a miracle to earn back his place in the national team. Knowing Kaka, however, a miraculous return to form may not be entirely out of the Real Madrid midfielder’s grasp, vision and circle of hope. Kaka is no stranger to miracles either of a medical nature or as demonstrated by his miraculous form at AC Milan, soon after his transplantation to Europe from Sao Paulo. Kaka made a miraculous recovery from a swimming pool accident that happened in October 2000.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Brazil Include Ronaldinho In Preliminary Squad For Olympics
Brazil national coach Mano Menezes announced a preliminary list of 51 players for the 2012 Olympic games in London today. Mano included Ronaldinho (Flamengo), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), David Luiz (Chelsea), Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Dani Alves (Barcelona), Hernanes (Lazio), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan) and Hulk (FC Porto) as possible candidates for the prized berths for three, over 23 year old players. True to Mano’s recent squad selections for the national team, Kaka and Robinho were omitted. Of the under 23 year old players, standouts include Neymar (Santos), Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos), Leandro Damiao (Internacional), Lucas Moura (Sao Paulo), Oscar (Internacional), Henrique (Granada, Spain) and Casemiro (Sao Paulo). Expectations for Olympic gold are mounting in Brazil given the abundance of talent in this generation of under 23 year old players. Brazil have never won Olympic gold even though they are five time World Cup champions.
Mano Menezes has remarked that the Olympic squad needs an experienced central defender such as Thiago Silva in order to win the gold medal. Star midfielder Ronaldinho, meanwhile, has been outspoken about his desire to play again in the Olympics, even though he has been suffering from a recent poor run of form at Flamengo. Brazil’s midfield sparkled at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia in August 2011 under the leadership of Oscar (Internacional) and Casemiro (Sao Paulo). Casemiro recently commented that Brazil’s current Olympic squad “is the best group ever assembled, the strongest.” "If you stop to think about it,” he noted, “you can make a strong group without having the three over-age athletes.”
Brazil won the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup by scoring 18 goals en route to the trophy. Coach Ney Franco’s World Cup winning U-20 squad featured a midfield composed of Casemiro, Coutinho, Fernando and Oscar behind strikers Henrique and Willian Jose. While Oscar stole the show in the final with a memorable hat-trick in Brazil’s 3-2 victory against Portugal, Henrique picked up the Golden Ball and Golden Boot awards for the tournament’s most valuable player and leading goalscorer, respectively. Pressure is particularly high on Menezes to win Olympic gold as a stepping stone to Brazil’s preparation for the 2014 World Cup on home soil. Brazil will announce a revised list of 35 players on June 8. The final 18 player squad for the Olympic games, which take place between July 27 and August 12, will be revealed on July 6.
Mano Menezes has remarked that the Olympic squad needs an experienced central defender such as Thiago Silva in order to win the gold medal. Star midfielder Ronaldinho, meanwhile, has been outspoken about his desire to play again in the Olympics, even though he has been suffering from a recent poor run of form at Flamengo. Brazil’s midfield sparkled at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia in August 2011 under the leadership of Oscar (Internacional) and Casemiro (Sao Paulo). Casemiro recently commented that Brazil’s current Olympic squad “is the best group ever assembled, the strongest.” "If you stop to think about it,” he noted, “you can make a strong group without having the three over-age athletes.”
Brazil won the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup by scoring 18 goals en route to the trophy. Coach Ney Franco’s World Cup winning U-20 squad featured a midfield composed of Casemiro, Coutinho, Fernando and Oscar behind strikers Henrique and Willian Jose. While Oscar stole the show in the final with a memorable hat-trick in Brazil’s 3-2 victory against Portugal, Henrique picked up the Golden Ball and Golden Boot awards for the tournament’s most valuable player and leading goalscorer, respectively. Pressure is particularly high on Menezes to win Olympic gold as a stepping stone to Brazil’s preparation for the 2014 World Cup on home soil. Brazil will announce a revised list of 35 players on June 8. The final 18 player squad for the Olympic games, which take place between July 27 and August 12, will be revealed on July 6.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Brazil Scrape To 2-1 Victory Over Bosnia
Brazil scraped to a 2-1 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina thanks to goals by Marcelo and an own goal inspired by a powerful Hulk cross. Mano opted for his trademark 4-3-3 formation with Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz and Marcelo starting behind midfielders Sandro, Fernandinho and Hernanes. Ronaldinho, Neymar and Leandro Damiao constituted the Brazilian attack with Ronaldinho playing in a deep attacking position. AC Milan’s Thiago Silva donned the captain’s armband as Brazil took the field amidst a crowd full of Bosnian supporters who made their voice heard throughout the match. Ronaldinho wore the famed Brazil number 10 jersey.
The match started auspiciously for the South Americans in the fourth minute when Dani Alves spotted Marcelo bursting through from the left flank toward goal and threaded a pass to the Real Madrid left back through a posse of players. Marcelo made no mistake and buried the ball past the keeper’s left to open the scoring. Marcelo’s goal should have been the cue for Brazil to open the floodgates and take control of the match, but Bosnia and Herzegovina refused to lie down lightly. In the 13th minute, Vedad Ibisevic equalized for Bosnia following a giveaway by David Luiz and horrendous goalkeeping from Julio Cesar, who allowed the ball to bounce off and over his body into the net without making an effort to stop the ball with his hands or feet.
In the 20th minute, Brazil almost took the lead when an inspired Fernandinho pass found Leandro Damiao, whose shot was blocked by goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. The rebound fell to Lazio midfielder Hernanes but was snatched away by superb defending from the captain Emir Spahic. The remainder of the first half featured lively play from Bosnia and Herzegovina as Brazil failed to find their feet in midfield and create the killer playmaking passes that could split the Bosnian defense. Ronaldinho, in particular, had a disappointing evening marked by mislaid passes and lack of midfield creativity. Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic caused problems for the Brazilian defense but the two teams nevertheless went into half-time tied at 1-1.
Brazil improved significantly in the second half following the substitution of Ronaldinho with Ganso but continued to struggle in the latter third of the field. Hernanes failed to convert a header resulting from a Marcelo cross and Neymar had a shot denied by Begovic. In the 90th minute, however, Brazil’s persistence paid off when Marcelo fed Hulk a ball on the left flank. The Porto striker delivered a powerful cross into the area which was deflected into the Bosnian goal by Sasa Papac.
Overall, this was yet another disappointing performance from the Selecao given how the team is bursting with talent. Mano seems to have decided on three skilled midfielders who play deeper in midfield in the form of some combination of Fernandinho, Sandro, Hernanes and Elias. Brazil’s midfield failed to create enough quality scoring opportunities, however, and the strikers, correspondingly, appeared unable to create the spaces that would lead to high percentage scoring opportunities. Given Ronaldinho’s poor performance, the obvious question is whether Kaka can revitalize the Brazilian midfield. Meanwhile, up front, Mano will have to reflect on whether Robinho can provide a more credible scoring threat amidst an attacking line-up that appears to lack the experience to break down highly physical defending such as that delivered by Bosnia and Herzegovina in today’s friendly in St. Gallen, Switzerland. Nevertheless, this is Brazil’s sixth consecutive victory and follows upon victories against Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico, Gabon and Egypt.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Correction to AFP Article: "No Kaka For Brazil Friendly Against Bosnia."
AFP is reporting that Kaka played in the Brazil friendlies against Gabon and Egypt as follows:
Kaka did play in the final two games of 2011 for the auriverde -- wins over Gabon and Egypt -- but while coach Mano Menezes insists he respects the player's abilities, he said: "I'm not going to give an explanation for every player not selected."
This is simply untrue. Kaka did not play in the friendlies for Gabon and Egypt. Kaka was selected for the Egypt and Gabon friendlies, but was withdrawn by Jose Mourinho due to injury.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Mano Menezes Selects Ronaldinho, Neymar, Ganso and Hulk For Brazil Squad Against Bosnia
Brazil national football coach Mano Menezes announced an intriguing line-up for the February 28 friendly against Bosnia by selecting Ronaldinho, Ganso, Neymar, Hulk and Leandro Damiao and omitting Kaka, Robinho, Pato, Lucio and Maicon. Given Mano’s preference for a 4-3-3 formation in recent friendlies, Ganso, Ronaldinho and Fernandinho could well start behind Neymar, Leandro Damiao and Hulk in a radically offensive formation marked by four attackers (Ronaldinho, Neymar, Leandro Damiao and Hulk). Mano is likely to put Leandro Damiao’s capabilities as a center forward to the test and play Hulk in his natural position at Porto as a right sided attacker, leaving Neymar on the left. Mano explained his decision to omit Kaka from the squad by noting, with respect to the Real Madrid playmaker’s recent performances, “Perhaps I didn’t see something from him that I wanted to see.” In the case of Ronaldinho, in contrast, Mano remarked that he envisioned the Flamengo star midfielder as “part of a project” and that he had chosen not to “read too much” into the player’s largely drab performances for Flamengo of late. Highlights of Mano’s squad selection include the following:
- The continued central partnership of AC Milan’s Thiago Silva and Chelsea’s David Luiz.
- Left back Marcelo, who will surge up the left flank as well as cut diagonally inside and head toward goal.
- Skilled midfielders who can play in deep positions such as Fernandinho, Hernanes and Sandro that can complement the attacking positioning of Ganso.
- The inclusion of Sao Paulo starlet Lucas Moura as another attacking midfield option, particularly as a possible second half substitution for Ganso, Hulk or Ronaldinho.
- The surprise inclusion of Jonas, despite his two goals in the Egypt friendly. Jonas lacks the technical ability of Hulk and Ronaldinho, but evidently found the positioning and composure to find the back of the net in a Brazil friendly, which is more than can be said of most Brazil strikers in recent international matches.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Diego Alves (Valencia), Rafael (Santos)
Defenders: Marcelo (Real Madrid), Daniel Alves, Adriano (both Barcelona), Alex Sandro (Porto), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), David Luiz (Chelsea), Luisao (Benfica), Dede (Vasco da Gama)
Midfielders: Danilo (Porto), Elias (Sporting), Fernandinho (Shakhtar Donetsk), Hernanes (Lazio), Sandro (Tottenham Hotspur), Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos), Lucas (Sao Paulo), Ronaldinho (Flamengo)
Attackers: Neymar (Santos), Leandro Damiao (Internacional), Jonas (Valencia), Hulk (Porto)
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