Brazil will need to take advantage of their strength down the flanks to defeat Chile. Unlike Spain, which resorted to combination play in the center of the park against Chile, Brazil will need to spread the Chilean defense and then switch the point of attack to create high percentage scoring opportunities. Chile are known for their pace and high pressing up the field but can be restrained by a Brazil attack marked by width and speed led by the likes of Marcelo, Oscar, Hulk and Maicon. Meanwhile, Fernandinho will need to run midfield and play more of a defensive role to ensure Brazil win the ball and attack. Expect Maicon to start in lieu of Dani Alves and Fernandinho instead of Paulinho for the first match of the knockout stages of the 2014 World Cup in Belo Horizonte. Hulk will be absolutely crucial to Brazil in blocking the right flank.
Key players for Brazil: Marcelo, Oscar, Hulk, Dani Alves, Maicon, Fernandinho, Neymar
Showing posts with label Marcelo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marcelo. Show all posts
Friday, June 27, 2014
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Three Quick Observations On Brazil's Landmark 3-0 Victory Against France In Porto Alegre
Brazil secured their first victory against France since 1992 with a decisive 3-0 victory on Sunday in Porto Alegre. Sunday’s victory represents sweet revenge for Brazil given that they were eliminated by France in the 2006 and 1998 World Cups and additionally lost a hard fought friendly to France in February 2011. The victory means that Brazil marches into the Confederations Cup bursting with confidence because today’s match marked the national team’s first victory over a major European team in roughly three years. Scolari’s team delivered a tantalizing glimpse of Brazil’s attacking potential and ability to command the flanks in an impressive performance rendered all the more memorable because the victory came at the expense of Brazil’s arch-rival France, who were coached by Didier Deschamps, the midfelder who lifted the World Cup trophy after France defeated Brazil 3-0 in the 1998 World Cup final.
With the exception of Marcelo starting for Filipe Luis at left back, Scolari fielded exactly the same team that he started against England, with Neymar, Fred and Hulk spearheading the attack in front in front of Chelsea playmaker Oscar. Brazil almost scored in the first minute when a fumble by France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris meant that Neymar had possession of the ball in a position where the French goalkeeper had come off his line toward the edge of the box. The ball ultimately fell to Oscar, who was stymied by the French defense. Brazil had the lion’s share of chances in the first half, with Hulk, Neymar, Fred, Marcelo and Oscar attacking down the flanks in a strategy that dispensed of attacking straight down the middle of the park, and instead focused on delivering crosses into the box from wide positions.
Three key points about Brazil’s strategy today are worth noting as preparations begin in earnest for the kickoff of the Confederations Cup on June 15:
•Brazil played today in a variant of a 4-3-3 formation, specifically, a 4-2-1-3, with Paulinho and Luiz Gustavo positioned behind Oscar. Scolari likes the idea of two holding midfielders as opposed to one. In today’s match, Paulinho and Luiz Gustavo rarely joined the attack and played the ball laterally instead of forward, allowing the fullbacks to own the attacking jaunt toward goal. The main consequence of Paulinho and Gustavo’s static quality was that we saw Neymar and Oscar drop deep into midfield to collect the ball and surge forward. Neymar, in particular, lurked around center circle more than Brazil fans would like, and exploded down the left flank through beating Mathieu Debuchy and team with sheer pace.
•Scolari unleashed Brazil’s trademark flank attack in this match, and the move paid dividends in glorious fashion. Scolari’s emphasis on the flank attack differs significantly from his predecessor Mano Menezes, who focused on attacking down the center in a Barcelona-style, possession-based build up toward goal. Against France, Marcelo functioned as an auxiliary attacker, as did Dani Alves, although Hulk owned most of the flank attack on the right flank. Scolari’s move to free up the fullbacks restores Brazilian football to its roots with respect to the practice of stretching defenses such that they essentially confront five attackers instead of two or three.
•Brazil’s bench is bursting with talent to the point where Scolari can field two squads of roughly the same strength even assuming two to three injuries. In today’s match we saw Dante, Hernanes, Bernard, Fernando and Lucas all come on as substitutes, and if anything, the rhythm of the match went into a higher gear as the bevy of substitutes took the field. This was the first match where we have seen Dante, Thiago Silva and David Luiz all on the field at the same time, leaving many to wonder whether Scolari will eventually shift to the 2002 formation where he used three fullbacks in the form of Edmilson, Roque Junior and Lucio in order to free up the 2002 World Cup fullbacks Roberto Carlos and Cafu.
The significance of this victory is not to be underestimated even though this was a friendly. France have had Brazil’s number over the last 15 years and this match proved that Brazil’s youthful squad can win against a former World Cup champion. The buildup to all three goals by Oscar, Hernanes and Lucas was vintage with short, crisp passing from the flanks leading to possession in the box that led to goals. Buoyed by today’s victory, Brazil open their defense of the Confederations Cup with a match against Japan on Saturday, June 15. They then play Mexico and Italy in what are expected to be highly challenging matches that will severely test the ability of the Selecao to win a major win tournament roughly a year away from the 2014 World Cup’s kickoff in Sao Paulo.
With the exception of Marcelo starting for Filipe Luis at left back, Scolari fielded exactly the same team that he started against England, with Neymar, Fred and Hulk spearheading the attack in front in front of Chelsea playmaker Oscar. Brazil almost scored in the first minute when a fumble by France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris meant that Neymar had possession of the ball in a position where the French goalkeeper had come off his line toward the edge of the box. The ball ultimately fell to Oscar, who was stymied by the French defense. Brazil had the lion’s share of chances in the first half, with Hulk, Neymar, Fred, Marcelo and Oscar attacking down the flanks in a strategy that dispensed of attacking straight down the middle of the park, and instead focused on delivering crosses into the box from wide positions.
Three key points about Brazil’s strategy today are worth noting as preparations begin in earnest for the kickoff of the Confederations Cup on June 15:
•Brazil played today in a variant of a 4-3-3 formation, specifically, a 4-2-1-3, with Paulinho and Luiz Gustavo positioned behind Oscar. Scolari likes the idea of two holding midfielders as opposed to one. In today’s match, Paulinho and Luiz Gustavo rarely joined the attack and played the ball laterally instead of forward, allowing the fullbacks to own the attacking jaunt toward goal. The main consequence of Paulinho and Gustavo’s static quality was that we saw Neymar and Oscar drop deep into midfield to collect the ball and surge forward. Neymar, in particular, lurked around center circle more than Brazil fans would like, and exploded down the left flank through beating Mathieu Debuchy and team with sheer pace.
•Scolari unleashed Brazil’s trademark flank attack in this match, and the move paid dividends in glorious fashion. Scolari’s emphasis on the flank attack differs significantly from his predecessor Mano Menezes, who focused on attacking down the center in a Barcelona-style, possession-based build up toward goal. Against France, Marcelo functioned as an auxiliary attacker, as did Dani Alves, although Hulk owned most of the flank attack on the right flank. Scolari’s move to free up the fullbacks restores Brazilian football to its roots with respect to the practice of stretching defenses such that they essentially confront five attackers instead of two or three.
•Brazil’s bench is bursting with talent to the point where Scolari can field two squads of roughly the same strength even assuming two to three injuries. In today’s match we saw Dante, Hernanes, Bernard, Fernando and Lucas all come on as substitutes, and if anything, the rhythm of the match went into a higher gear as the bevy of substitutes took the field. This was the first match where we have seen Dante, Thiago Silva and David Luiz all on the field at the same time, leaving many to wonder whether Scolari will eventually shift to the 2002 formation where he used three fullbacks in the form of Edmilson, Roque Junior and Lucio in order to free up the 2002 World Cup fullbacks Roberto Carlos and Cafu.
The significance of this victory is not to be underestimated even though this was a friendly. France have had Brazil’s number over the last 15 years and this match proved that Brazil’s youthful squad can win against a former World Cup champion. The buildup to all three goals by Oscar, Hernanes and Lucas was vintage with short, crisp passing from the flanks leading to possession in the box that led to goals. Buoyed by today’s victory, Brazil open their defense of the Confederations Cup with a match against Japan on Saturday, June 15. They then play Mexico and Italy in what are expected to be highly challenging matches that will severely test the ability of the Selecao to win a major win tournament roughly a year away from the 2014 World Cup’s kickoff in Sao Paulo.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Brazil And England Play To Memorable 2-2 Draw At Renovated Maracana Stadium
Brazil and England played to a memorable 2-2 draw at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro today in a game where Brazil dominated possession and England fought back on the counter-attack. Today’s game marked the first match at the newly renovated Maracana stadium where Brazil famously lost to Uruguay in the 1950 World Cup final. Brazil fielded a 4-3-3 formation with Dani Alves, David Luiz, Thiago Silva and Filipe Luis in defense, Luis Gustavo, Paulinho and Oscar in midfield, and Neymar, Fred and Hulk as the attacking triumvirate. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari handed the famous number 10 jersey to Neymar instead of Oscar in a clear signal that he envisions the Barcelona-bound ex Santos star as the leader of the current youthful squad. England, on the other hand, played in a 4-5-1 formation with coach Roy Hodgson fielding striker Theo Walcott in a withdrawn position on the right flank behind Wayne Rooney.
Eager to avenge their 2-1 loss to England at Wembley Stadium in February, Brazil began by taking control of the midfield and attacking with their vintage short, crisp passing and the ability to beat defenders on the dribble. Moreover, Brazil pressured England relentlessly on the ball and allowed Roy Hodgson’s team little space by double teaming whenever England had possession. Chelsea midfielder Oscar orchestrated the lion’s share of Brazil’s attacks by dropping deep into midfield and sprinting forward in search of Neymar, Fred and Hulk. Neymar seemed keen to vindicate Scolari’s decision to grant him the number 10 jersey and shot on goal from close range in positions where he would have done better to pass to a teammate.
Neymar had a golden opportunity in the 19th minute when he received a pass with only the keeper to beat and shot it right into the body of the diving Joe Hart from the left flank. Two minutes later, Neymar collected a deft pass from Fred, sidestepped England defender Glen Johnson, but unleashed the shot just wide of goal. In the 35th minute, Oscar dribbled past a bevy of English defenders on the right flank and sent a bullet of a cross that Hulk backheeled just wide of goal. Minutes later, Oscar again found space on the right flank but Fred’s header floated over the bar. England’s best opportunity of the half came in the 39th minute, when Theo Walcott found space in the box to drive a shot straight at Julio Cesar, who parried the ball well.
The floodgates opened in the second half as Brazil continued to relentlessly apply pressure against the English goal. Playing largely in England’s half, Brazil continued to create chances and varied their passing game with some longer range shots on goal in an effort to disrupt Joe Hart’s rhythm. The long range strategy paid dividends in the 57th minute when Hernanes curled in a dipping shot that deflected off the cross-bar and fell to Fred lurking near the right side of goal, who twisted his body to dispatch the ball into the back of the net to give Brazil a deserved 1-0 lead. Buoyed by their breakthrough, the Samba boys rested on their laurels a little too much by easing up on their attacks and positioning themselves languidly in midfield. England were quick to capitalize on the let up in pressure as substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain carved out space outside the edge of the box and rifled in a right footed rocket past the right hand of Julio Cesar to make it 1-1 in the 66th minute. Ten minutes later, Brazil were staring defeat at the Maracana stadium squarely in the eye when Wayne Rooney burst down the left flank on a counterattacking opportunity and sent a curling, wonder of a shot into the roof of the net to make it 2-1 England. Scolari responded by sending on waves of substitutes and was granted a reprieve from an embarrassing loss when Lucas Moura’s cross found Paulinho, who volleyed the cross into the back of the net to make it 2-2 with less than 10 minutes of regulation time remaining.
Overall, this was a disappointing result for Brazil, who should genuinely feel they had their pulse on the game and deserved a victory given their possession and chances. On the other hand, Brazil fans can take heart from the fact that the midfield gelled for the first time since the 2012 Olympics, when the team delivered some impressive displays of midfield possession and creativity en route to the Olympic final. Moreover, Scolari can take heart from the depth of his squad given that his substitutions featured Real Madrid’s Marcelo, Lazio’s Hernanes, Internacional’s Leandro Damiao, Paris Saint-Germain’s Lucas Moura and Atletico Mineiro’s playmaker Bernard. Neymar, meanwhile, struggled to live up to the weight of expectations, this time in the number 10 jersey, no less. Nevertheless, Brazil fans and Scolari will be impressed by the pace of the Brazilian midfield and can expect the team to only improve both in the next two weeks and throughout the upcoming Confederations Cup. Brazil’s next friendly is against France on June 9 in Porto Alegre.
Goals
Brazil: Fred (57), Paulinho (82)
England: Oxlade-Chamberlain (66), Rooney (77)
Eager to avenge their 2-1 loss to England at Wembley Stadium in February, Brazil began by taking control of the midfield and attacking with their vintage short, crisp passing and the ability to beat defenders on the dribble. Moreover, Brazil pressured England relentlessly on the ball and allowed Roy Hodgson’s team little space by double teaming whenever England had possession. Chelsea midfielder Oscar orchestrated the lion’s share of Brazil’s attacks by dropping deep into midfield and sprinting forward in search of Neymar, Fred and Hulk. Neymar seemed keen to vindicate Scolari’s decision to grant him the number 10 jersey and shot on goal from close range in positions where he would have done better to pass to a teammate.
Neymar had a golden opportunity in the 19th minute when he received a pass with only the keeper to beat and shot it right into the body of the diving Joe Hart from the left flank. Two minutes later, Neymar collected a deft pass from Fred, sidestepped England defender Glen Johnson, but unleashed the shot just wide of goal. In the 35th minute, Oscar dribbled past a bevy of English defenders on the right flank and sent a bullet of a cross that Hulk backheeled just wide of goal. Minutes later, Oscar again found space on the right flank but Fred’s header floated over the bar. England’s best opportunity of the half came in the 39th minute, when Theo Walcott found space in the box to drive a shot straight at Julio Cesar, who parried the ball well.
The floodgates opened in the second half as Brazil continued to relentlessly apply pressure against the English goal. Playing largely in England’s half, Brazil continued to create chances and varied their passing game with some longer range shots on goal in an effort to disrupt Joe Hart’s rhythm. The long range strategy paid dividends in the 57th minute when Hernanes curled in a dipping shot that deflected off the cross-bar and fell to Fred lurking near the right side of goal, who twisted his body to dispatch the ball into the back of the net to give Brazil a deserved 1-0 lead. Buoyed by their breakthrough, the Samba boys rested on their laurels a little too much by easing up on their attacks and positioning themselves languidly in midfield. England were quick to capitalize on the let up in pressure as substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain carved out space outside the edge of the box and rifled in a right footed rocket past the right hand of Julio Cesar to make it 1-1 in the 66th minute. Ten minutes later, Brazil were staring defeat at the Maracana stadium squarely in the eye when Wayne Rooney burst down the left flank on a counterattacking opportunity and sent a curling, wonder of a shot into the roof of the net to make it 2-1 England. Scolari responded by sending on waves of substitutes and was granted a reprieve from an embarrassing loss when Lucas Moura’s cross found Paulinho, who volleyed the cross into the back of the net to make it 2-2 with less than 10 minutes of regulation time remaining.
Overall, this was a disappointing result for Brazil, who should genuinely feel they had their pulse on the game and deserved a victory given their possession and chances. On the other hand, Brazil fans can take heart from the fact that the midfield gelled for the first time since the 2012 Olympics, when the team delivered some impressive displays of midfield possession and creativity en route to the Olympic final. Moreover, Scolari can take heart from the depth of his squad given that his substitutions featured Real Madrid’s Marcelo, Lazio’s Hernanes, Internacional’s Leandro Damiao, Paris Saint-Germain’s Lucas Moura and Atletico Mineiro’s playmaker Bernard. Neymar, meanwhile, struggled to live up to the weight of expectations, this time in the number 10 jersey, no less. Nevertheless, Brazil fans and Scolari will be impressed by the pace of the Brazilian midfield and can expect the team to only improve both in the next two weeks and throughout the upcoming Confederations Cup. Brazil’s next friendly is against France on June 9 in Porto Alegre.
Goals
Brazil: Fred (57), Paulinho (82)
England: Oxlade-Chamberlain (66), Rooney (77)
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Brazil Selects Marcelo, Thiago Silva and Hulk For 2012 Olympics
Brazil coach Mano Menezes named a star studded squad for the London 2012 Olympics today featuring Thiago Silva, Marcelo and Hulk as Brazil's three players over the age of 23. Brazil travel to the London Olympics in search of the elusive Olympic gold medal, the only major soccer trophy they have yet to win.
Previously, the Brazil men’s Olympic soccer team earned two silver medals and two bronze medals. Brazil won the silver medal at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and 1988 Olympics in Seoul and the bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and the 2008 games in Seoul. This year’s squad is widely considered one of the strongest ever and correspondingly, Brazilian football hopes are pinned on the Olympics in the absence of positive results by the national team at the 2010 World Cup and the 2011 Copa America.
Highlights of Brazil’s 2012 Olympic squad include the following:
• Overage players in the form of Thiago Silva, Hulk and Marcelo
• Selection of Rafael and Danilo as right-backs and the omission of Barcelona's Dani Alves
• Two deeper playing midfielders in Romulus and Sandro
• Three attacking midfield options in the form of Oscar, Paulo Henrique Ganso and Lucas Moura
• Four strikers as represented by Neymar, Hulk, Pato and Leandro Damiao
Brazil are in Group C along with Egypt, Belarus and New Zealand. Mano Menezes’s team kick off their quest for Olympic gold with an opening match in group play against Egypt on July 26 in Cardiff. They play Belarus on July 29 and New Zealand on August 1. AC Milan’s Thiago Silva is likely to captain the team.
Brazil 2012 Olympic Squad
Goalkeepers: Neto (Fiorentina), Rafael (Santos).
Defenders: Alex Sandro (Porto), Rafael (Manchester United), Danilo (Porto), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Bruno Uvini (Sao Paulo), Juan (Inter Milan), Thiago Silva (Milan).
Midfielders: Romulus (Vasco), Sandro (Tottenham), Oscar (Internacional), Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos), Lucas Moura (Sao Paulo).
Strikers: Alexandre Pato (Milan), Hulk (Porto), Leandro Damiao (Internacional), Neymar (Santos).
Previously, the Brazil men’s Olympic soccer team earned two silver medals and two bronze medals. Brazil won the silver medal at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and 1988 Olympics in Seoul and the bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and the 2008 games in Seoul. This year’s squad is widely considered one of the strongest ever and correspondingly, Brazilian football hopes are pinned on the Olympics in the absence of positive results by the national team at the 2010 World Cup and the 2011 Copa America.
Highlights of Brazil’s 2012 Olympic squad include the following:
• Overage players in the form of Thiago Silva, Hulk and Marcelo
• Selection of Rafael and Danilo as right-backs and the omission of Barcelona's Dani Alves
• Two deeper playing midfielders in Romulus and Sandro
• Three attacking midfield options in the form of Oscar, Paulo Henrique Ganso and Lucas Moura
• Four strikers as represented by Neymar, Hulk, Pato and Leandro Damiao
Brazil are in Group C along with Egypt, Belarus and New Zealand. Mano Menezes’s team kick off their quest for Olympic gold with an opening match in group play against Egypt on July 26 in Cardiff. They play Belarus on July 29 and New Zealand on August 1. AC Milan’s Thiago Silva is likely to captain the team.
Brazil 2012 Olympic Squad
Goalkeepers: Neto (Fiorentina), Rafael (Santos).
Defenders: Alex Sandro (Porto), Rafael (Manchester United), Danilo (Porto), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Bruno Uvini (Sao Paulo), Juan (Inter Milan), Thiago Silva (Milan).
Midfielders: Romulus (Vasco), Sandro (Tottenham), Oscar (Internacional), Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos), Lucas Moura (Sao Paulo).
Strikers: Alexandre Pato (Milan), Hulk (Porto), Leandro Damiao (Internacional), Neymar (Santos).
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.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Brazil Defeat Gabon 2-0 With New Midfield Quartet
Brazil defeated Gabon 2-0 on a horrendously soggy pitch that rendered it difficult for the Selecao to find its footing and play its trademark passing game. Brazil can credit their victory to first half goals by Sandro and Hernanes, the latter of whom can justifiably lay claim to the man of the match designation. Given injuries to Kaka and Marcelo, and the absence of Luiz Gustavo, Mano Menezes opted for yet another new midfield formation featuring Sandro and Elias behind Bruno Cesar and Hernanes. The lineup represented a strategic move to play more skilled midfielders in a deeper role in contrast to the stopper position that Brazil has historically fielded through the likes of Lucas Leiva, Gilberto Silva and Carlos Dunga. Hernanes carved out space on the right side of midfield and created a number of opportunities for the strike partnership of Hulk and Jonas. The match was dominated by scrappy play in difficult conditions but Brazil did well to come away with a victory and offer valuable playing time to the attacking trio of substitutes Willian, Dudu and Kleber. Brazil next face Egypt in Doha on Monday. The key takeaway, here, is that Mano is beginning to think about a quartet of skilled midfielders as opposed to a midfield dominated by one creative playmaker in the vein of Ronaldinho, Kaka or Ganso.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Brazil Squad For Gabon and Egypt Friendlies
Mano Menezes named a squad of European based Brazilian players for November friendlies against Gabon and Egypt that featured Kaka, Marcelo and Hulk.
Key points of Mano’s squad selection are as follows:
• Kaka’s return to the Brazilian team after an inspiring start to the season at Real Madrid, featuring three goals, two assists and a consolidated role in Jose Mourinho’s line-up. Kaka returns to the Brazilian team after over a year. He last played for Brazil in their quarterfinal loss to the Netherlands at the 2010 World Cup.
• Marcelo’s selection as left back given his brilliant performance and goal against Mexico.
• Hulk’s selection after a respectable performance against Mexico. Hulk is likely to start and lead the attack, particularly given the absence of Neymar and Leandro Damiao.
• Hernanes, who may end up replacing Lucas Leiva as the team evolves.
• Willian’s inclusion as a 23 year old attacking midfielder who plays for Shakhtar.
Reagrding Kaka, Mano Menezes remarked: “I think of Kaka as I do of Ronaldinho. We need players of their experience in the national team. That doesn’t mean he’s already done enough but you have more confidence in him being able to produce more and more at the highest level.”
Brazil play Gabon in Libreville on November 10 and Egypt in Doha on November 14.
Goalkeepers: Neto (Fiorentina), Diego Alves (Valencia).
Defenders: Marcelo (Real Madrid), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Adriano (Barcelona), Alex Sandro (Porto), Fabio (Manchester United), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), David Luiz (Chelsea), Luisao (Benfica).
Midfielders: Dudu (Dynamo Kiev), Elias (Sporting, Portugal), Fernandinho (Shakhtar Donetsk), Hernanes (Lazio), Kaka (Real Madrid), Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Luiz Gustavo (Bayern Munich), Bruno Cesar (Benfica), Sandro (Tottenham).
Strikers: Hulk (Porto), Jonas (Valencia), Kleber (Porto), Willian (Shakhtar Donetsk)
Key points of Mano’s squad selection are as follows:
• Kaka’s return to the Brazilian team after an inspiring start to the season at Real Madrid, featuring three goals, two assists and a consolidated role in Jose Mourinho’s line-up. Kaka returns to the Brazilian team after over a year. He last played for Brazil in their quarterfinal loss to the Netherlands at the 2010 World Cup.
• Marcelo’s selection as left back given his brilliant performance and goal against Mexico.
• Hulk’s selection after a respectable performance against Mexico. Hulk is likely to start and lead the attack, particularly given the absence of Neymar and Leandro Damiao.
• Hernanes, who may end up replacing Lucas Leiva as the team evolves.
• Willian’s inclusion as a 23 year old attacking midfielder who plays for Shakhtar.
Reagrding Kaka, Mano Menezes remarked: “I think of Kaka as I do of Ronaldinho. We need players of their experience in the national team. That doesn’t mean he’s already done enough but you have more confidence in him being able to produce more and more at the highest level.”
Brazil play Gabon in Libreville on November 10 and Egypt in Doha on November 14.
Goalkeepers: Neto (Fiorentina), Diego Alves (Valencia).
Defenders: Marcelo (Real Madrid), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Adriano (Barcelona), Alex Sandro (Porto), Fabio (Manchester United), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), David Luiz (Chelsea), Luisao (Benfica).
Midfielders: Dudu (Dynamo Kiev), Elias (Sporting, Portugal), Fernandinho (Shakhtar Donetsk), Hernanes (Lazio), Kaka (Real Madrid), Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Luiz Gustavo (Bayern Munich), Bruno Cesar (Benfica), Sandro (Tottenham).
Strikers: Hulk (Porto), Jonas (Valencia), Kleber (Porto), Willian (Shakhtar Donetsk)
Friday, October 14, 2011
Brazil Clinches Stunning 2-1 Victory Against Mexico
Brazil secured a thrilling, come from behind victory against Mexico on Tuesday evening in a friendly match that featured an own goal, a spectacular Ronaldinho free kick, a left footed rocket into the roof of the net from Marcelo, a red card, a penalty save and promising play from Hulk in his first start for the national team. The match began at an electric pace, with Mexico, the home team, taking the attack to the five time World Champions. In the tenth minute, one of Mexico’s attacks down the right flank paid dividends when a cross from Pablo Barrera caused David Luiz to inadvertently flick the ball into his own net to give Mexico a 1-0 lead. All of a sudden, Brazil found themselves down a goal, away from home, with a Mexican team determined to use its pace to maximum advantage to disrupt its short passing game.
Hulk, Neymar and Lucas dominated the attack for Brazil while Ronaldinho orchestrated attacks from midfield with the help of Marcelo and Dani Alves. Hulk added an extra dimension to Brazil’s attack by switching places on both flanks and attacking down the center as well, leading with his preferred left foot. Neymar posed additional problems for the Mexican defense but the majority of Brazil’s shots in the first half were either off target or lacking sufficient pace to threaten the Mexican goal. After earning the early goal, Mexico opted to defend with eight men behind the ball and counter-attack. Brazil responded in trademark fashion by bringing a central defender like David Luiz forward to join the attack, but Mexico defended well and frustrated Neymar and Hulk.
The game took a dramatic turn late into the first half when Dani Alves received a red card for fouling Javier "El Chicharito" Hernandez in a Mexican counter-attack that burst through the center of the Brazilian defense. Botafogo goalkeeper Jefferson saved Guardado’s penalty to keep Brazil in the game, but Brazil went into the half down a goal, down a man, away from home, playing a Mexican side undefeated in fifteen games under coach José Manuel de la Torre.
The second half opened with Brazil struggling to make sense of how to take the attack to Mexico given their one man deficit. Mano Menezes replaced Lucas Moura with Barcelona’s Adriano to preserve a back four given Alves's ejection. Soon enough, the match turned scrappy as Brazil contested every challenge tooth and claw. And in the 70th minute, after recovering from the daze of their one goal deficit, Brazil began to fight for the first time in Menezes’s tenure. Marcelo began to lose his temper, as did Ronaldinho, Hulk and Adriano. Screaming in frustration at each other and the referee, the Selecao protested close calls and fouls not given.
79th minute. A foul near the edge of the box. Neymar traces the arc of a parabola as he goes flying. Ronaldinho steps up to take the free kick and puckers his mouth upward as he stares at the goal with focused concentration. The ball curls, spins, dips and bulges the back of the net as Oswaldo Sánchez lunges to his left. Dinho has scored and brought Brazil level after being a man down and a goal down. A touching embrace with Neymar in the goal celebration.
83rd minute. Marcelo charges up the left flank, receives a give and go from Neymar, and then bolts into the box. Staggering past a posse of Mexican defenders, Marcelo keeps his head down and sends a rocket into the roof of the net. Brazil leads.
Brazil holds on for an impressive come from behind victory. And for the first time since the Dunga era, they look like a team again. They look like Brazil again.
Squads
Brazil: Jefferson, Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Marcelo; Lucas Leiva, Fernandinho; Ronaldinho; Lucas Moura, Hulk, Neymar.
Mexico: Oswaldo Sanchez; Carlos Salcido, Rafael Marquez, Francisco Javier Rodriguez, Efrain Juarez; Jorge Torres, Israel Castro; Pablo Barrera, Andres Guardado, Giovani dos Santos; Javier Hernandez.
Hulk, Neymar and Lucas dominated the attack for Brazil while Ronaldinho orchestrated attacks from midfield with the help of Marcelo and Dani Alves. Hulk added an extra dimension to Brazil’s attack by switching places on both flanks and attacking down the center as well, leading with his preferred left foot. Neymar posed additional problems for the Mexican defense but the majority of Brazil’s shots in the first half were either off target or lacking sufficient pace to threaten the Mexican goal. After earning the early goal, Mexico opted to defend with eight men behind the ball and counter-attack. Brazil responded in trademark fashion by bringing a central defender like David Luiz forward to join the attack, but Mexico defended well and frustrated Neymar and Hulk.
The game took a dramatic turn late into the first half when Dani Alves received a red card for fouling Javier "El Chicharito" Hernandez in a Mexican counter-attack that burst through the center of the Brazilian defense. Botafogo goalkeeper Jefferson saved Guardado’s penalty to keep Brazil in the game, but Brazil went into the half down a goal, down a man, away from home, playing a Mexican side undefeated in fifteen games under coach José Manuel de la Torre.
The second half opened with Brazil struggling to make sense of how to take the attack to Mexico given their one man deficit. Mano Menezes replaced Lucas Moura with Barcelona’s Adriano to preserve a back four given Alves's ejection. Soon enough, the match turned scrappy as Brazil contested every challenge tooth and claw. And in the 70th minute, after recovering from the daze of their one goal deficit, Brazil began to fight for the first time in Menezes’s tenure. Marcelo began to lose his temper, as did Ronaldinho, Hulk and Adriano. Screaming in frustration at each other and the referee, the Selecao protested close calls and fouls not given.
79th minute. A foul near the edge of the box. Neymar traces the arc of a parabola as he goes flying. Ronaldinho steps up to take the free kick and puckers his mouth upward as he stares at the goal with focused concentration. The ball curls, spins, dips and bulges the back of the net as Oswaldo Sánchez lunges to his left. Dinho has scored and brought Brazil level after being a man down and a goal down. A touching embrace with Neymar in the goal celebration.
83rd minute. Marcelo charges up the left flank, receives a give and go from Neymar, and then bolts into the box. Staggering past a posse of Mexican defenders, Marcelo keeps his head down and sends a rocket into the roof of the net. Brazil leads.
Brazil holds on for an impressive come from behind victory. And for the first time since the Dunga era, they look like a team again. They look like Brazil again.
Squads
Brazil: Jefferson, Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Marcelo; Lucas Leiva, Fernandinho; Ronaldinho; Lucas Moura, Hulk, Neymar.
Mexico: Oswaldo Sanchez; Carlos Salcido, Rafael Marquez, Francisco Javier Rodriguez, Efrain Juarez; Jorge Torres, Israel Castro; Pablo Barrera, Andres Guardado, Giovani dos Santos; Javier Hernandez.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Summary: Brazil Defeat Mexico 2-1
Brazil earned a dramatic 2-1 victory over Mexico on Tuesday thanks to late goals from Ronaldinho and Marcelo after conceding an own goal within the first ten minutes through David Luiz. The match displayed the comeback and fight of Brazil's team after going down a goal, away from home, to a young, pacy Mexican team. The friendly also highlighted the caliber of Brazil's fullbacks Marcelo and Adriano. For all of his critics, Mano Menezes's team is finally starting to take shape. A brilliant game from Brazil, particularly given that Dani Alves received a red card at the end of the first half.
Goals:
Mexico: David Luiz (OG), 10
Brazil: Ronaldinho 79, Marcelo 83
Goals:
Mexico: David Luiz (OG), 10
Brazil: Ronaldinho 79, Marcelo 83
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