Cheeky Chip

Brazilian WC Squad: It’s Deadly Counter Attack But Lack of Planning

By Fernando Sell, writing from Brazil

After reading this title you are probably thinking that I am crazy. A team which won the Confederations Cup last, Copa América 2007 and who areone of the favourites to lift the World Cup, can’t suffer from a lack of planning and organization.

However, the truth is the the Brazilian squad has been badly planned and chosen. Below is their World Cup Squad:

Goalkeepers

Júlio César (Inter Milan)

Gomes (Tottenham)

Doni (Roma)

Right Backs

Maicon (Inter Milan)

Daniel Alves (Barcelona)

Centre Backs

Lúcio (Inter Milan)

Juan (Roma)

Luisão (Benfica)

Thiago Silva (AC Milan)

Left Backs

Michel Bastos (Lyon)

Gilberto (Cruzeiro)

Defensive Midfielders

Felipe Melo (Juventus)

Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos)

Josué (Wolfsburg)

Kleberson (Flamengo)

Offensive Midfielders

Kaká (Real Madrid)

Elano (Galatasaray)

Ramires (Benfica)

Júlio Baptista (Roma)

Stikers

Robinho (Santos)

Luís Fabiano (Sevilla)

Nilmar (Villarreal)

Grafite (Wolfsburg)

Reserves

Alex (Chelsea)

Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos)

Ronaldinho (AC Milan)

Carlos Eduardo (Hoffenheim)

Marcelo (Real Madrid)

Sandro (Internacional)

Diego Tardelli (Atlético-MG)

The team has a very efficient defensive system. It’s midfield, with the exception of Kaká, revolves around and links with the defence, but the attacking force is clinical and deadly. The counter attack will be heavily used at the World Cup and this was used to win many of their qualification matches.

The Brazilian team has found it increasingly challenging to create plays which produce goals. One clear example was in the match against Bolivia. The majority of the Bolivian team defended in their box, this blocked Brazil’s goal scoring opportunities and it demonstrated their inability to create dangerous plays. The match ended 0-0. But if Bolivia had a more efficient attacking force, they could have possibly won. The biggest weapon against Brazil is playing the counter attack.

If Brazil are losing a match they will have many problems turning around the score as the team lacks creativity. There is no plan B and this shows the lack of planning and thought Dunga had in the team, this could cost Brazil the World Cup.

The Brazilians are disappointed with Dunga’s selections. It’s is the weakest midfield they’ve had in the last years. Filipe Melo has underperformed this season and is a key symbol of Juventus’ atrocious Serie A campaign. Gilberto Silva has been hidden in the field and is not as instrumental as before. Josúe and Elano have not been playing at their top level for their respective clubs and lacked consistency. Kleberson is not a constant starting player for Flamengo. Júlio Baptista is not the great player he once was.

However, Ronaldinho and Paulo Henrique Ganso have enjoyed their season, playing well each weak and proving their consistency. But the are both listed in the reserve pool. Liverpool’s Lucas has also played well. However, the midfield is not the only problem with the team.

Doni is the second choice keeper for Roma and I think Gremio’s Victor would have been a much better choice. Even though Doni will be seen as the third choice keeper, it would have made sense to choose a match fit keeper.

Neither of the left-backs are natural ones, Michel Bastos and Gilberto are left wingers for their teams. However, Real Madrid’s Marcelo is a left back and has played well for O Canarinho when he has been called up. Fábio Aurélio is another option, despite having a poor season with Liverpool, he is a complete and experienced left back.

In the attacking sector I think Dunga did a good job not selecting Adriano, but Grafite is not the best replacement. Robinho is not the same player he used to be and his call-up is a questionable decision. Pato and Kléber (Cruzeiro) would have been much better options.

However, we must not forget about the strong and key players in the squad. Júlio César and Gomes have had strong seasons, constantly pulling off top saves. Maicon and Dani Alves are the best right backs in the world. Lúcio and Juan are consistent and world class centre backs and lets not forget about Kaká, our star player. Luís Fabiano is a dangerous player up front, he has scored numerous decisive goals for his country throughout the qualifying campaign.

Despite Dunga not making the strongest selection, the team is still very strong and efficient. They also have a winning mentality and will challenge to conquer their 6th World Cup. The whole of Brazil is confident in their success and the players will be motivated not to let us down.

I believe that Brazil, Spain, Germany, Holland and Italy are the big favourites, England and Argentina being the outsiders. France, who were world champions in 1998, have a weak team, there is no Mexès, Benzema or Nasri. Let’s not forget about Henry’s famous hand incident against Ireland either!

My expectations:

Highest: World Champion

Lowest: Playing Spain in the last 16

Realistic: Featuring in the final, in the final there are no favourites