brasil v hrvatska

[red macca]

when we come up against brazil and im basing this on the two sides games so far.i think apart from kaka if our midfeild performs we could dominate the midfeild...thats just my opinion probably wrong though

 I think it might be.

apart from kaka who in brazils team on TONIGHTS showing would cause us a problem..ronaldhino showed what can happen if you mark him in the right way..on set pieces the look dodgy where as england look dangerous on nearly every occasion recently..there forward line had no movement whatsoever.there is a misconception that brazil are this fancy team when really they have been europeanalised(think i made that up) over the years due to the amount of players who have moved ..there was a time when most played in brazil but not any more

[Dazzza]

Definitely an interesting game tonight.  Brazil were running at a canter against an honest but average Croatia and it'll be interesting if they can actually step it up a couple of gears against tougher opposition.

On that evidence the Criminals with their work rate and a bit of luck may be good for a potential draw or snatch a shock win on Saturday.  Maybe even be worth a sly bet.

Without the chubby Ronaldo on the same form he was 4 years ago it’ll be interesting to see how their forwards will get on.  Adriano is a class act on paper but both Robinho and Fred   are relative youngsters who have yet to fully make their mark on the International scene.  With Ronaldinho often going missing they just don’t quite look like they have the same firepower up front as they have had in recent years.

I just wonder if largely having such a big base of European players for the past couple of tournaments could now be eventually taking its toll.  Most of the squad have been playing large domestic seasons, commuting back to South America for International duty and the Copa on top of playing in the Champions League and UEFA cup.

They’ll still win the group but it’s going to be a moist inducing 2nd round tie against the runner up in group F (Czech Republic or Italy).

[flammableBen]

They’ll still win the group but it’s going to be a moist inducing 2nd round tie against the runner up in group F (Czech Republic or Italy).

I like the czechs and wouldn't mind seeing them do ok, on opening form they've been the best side so far. However if they do finish second place to Italy, then a czech vs. brazil game would be something I'd definately look forward to.

[RobertT]

Hmmm, I bet they go on to produce better, but based on that performance alone, I'm thinking Brazil have lured themselves into the same trap France fell into about 4 years ago.

They seem so intent on getting as many "star" names into the team as possible that they have sacrificed any sort of shape or formation.

Ronaldinho has been given the freedom to roam wherever he wants, which meant he often popped up taking the ball off the centre half last night.  Kaka seems to be devoid of defensive responsibility, Ronaldo gets picked on his name alone and Adriano didn't seem to know where he was supposed to be fitting in.  Ze Roberto also seemed to lack a real position to play meaning that both fullbacks were woefully protected (as the Brazil play makers fancied it more in the middle in a sort of huddle hoping to get the pass when the Croatia attack broke down).

The amount of times Croatia found themselves in the last 20 yards of the pitch on the wings was amazing.  A good wide player or two could have pratically stood there all game practising their crossing.

France did the same a few years back, trying to squeeze all the names in and ending-up losing their shape.  From what I remember, there was far more structure to Brazil last World Cup.  it's all well and good having start players, but if they are all allowed to wander then a good team could cause them trouble.

Having said all that, the plus of having such players is they can produce moments of quality out of nothing and no doubt they will play better.  Just gave me some hope that they might have got too big for their boots?

[Cookie]

As Sir Alf said, I don't pick my best players, I pick my best team.

At least I think it was Sir Alf?

[adje]

Is Carlos shite,or what?

 
do you have a pathological hatred of full-backs?!

not the best game of the tournament but pretty decent nonetheless, brazil are always good to watch.

ronaldo makes me laugh, he's so fucking lazy but lethal. the most running he did tonight was when he went off for robinho!

Only shit ones