Paraguay 2 - 0 Brazil: The Face of Mediocrity
By: Bruno Romani | June 15th, 2008
I started writing this piece even before the match was over with a big thought behind it. That’s when I heard the commentator of a Brazilian radio station translate what I was feeling:
“This squad has the face of its coach: arrogant and mediocre.â€
Dunga believes he is a great coach but his squad is one of the poorest of the history of the national team. He started a match with 3 defensive midfielders, as usual. His side-backs do not attack as well. When Robinho is not inspired, as it was the case today, the team suffers. And it does because it is not organized and because it lacks in the starting line-up creativity, capacity for improvisation and inspiration. When this Brazil plays, it reminds me of squads of Eastern Europe. The keeper from Paraguay made his first save with 15 minutes. Too little for Brazil.
Paraguay scored twice, even playing the entire second-half with 10 men. The leaders of the Qualifying also hit the post, and missed other chances. It could’ve been 4-0. Cabañas, the Brazilian killer, scored again.
Why are we keeping in the starting line-up players who are reserves in Europe? Why Gilberto? Why Anderson? Why Gilberto Silva? Why Júlio Baptista? Why Dunga?
The failure against Argentina on Wednesday and in the Olympics may restore order. Until there, suffering.
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Comments
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The main problem in the side is Diego. He is no good. I have never seen Brazil play well with him in the starting line up. He can’t pass he has no vision. I just cannot believe the hype about him. Anderson tried. Josue just could not get it going. Its not a crisis yet because the qualifiers is still young but how they miss Kaka and Ronaldinho. Robinho alone cannot do it. Mineiro also is too soft he lacks creativity. Something has got to give or Dunga is out
Posted from
United States
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The main problem in the side is Diego. He is no good. I have never seen Brazil play well with him in the starting line up. He can’t pass he has no vision.All he tries to do is to fall down and tried to get free kicks when an oposing players touches him and then he doesn’t know how to take freekicks I just cannot believe the hype about him. Anderson tried. Josue just could not get it going. Its not a crisis yet because the qualifiers is still young but how they miss Kaka and Ronaldinho. Robinho alone cannot do it. Mineiro also is too soft he lacks creativity. Something has got to give or Dunga is out
Posted from
United States -
I totally agree with you, Josimars. Diego is a ball passer no a play maker. This is the worst Brazil team i’ve ever seen before. The attack was so useless even Lucio had to go up and help. Second half they had to play like England crossing ball attack. left to right then right to left. But even like Robinho, Gilberto and Maicon don’t know how to cross the well. Come on!!! where is the 1-2? where is the long range shooter? where is the Brazilian attacking game?
Posted from
Malaysia -
I agree the team does miss Kaka and Ronaldinno. But how about the useless and aging defensive players like Luisao, Juan, Lucio, Josue, Mineiro, Gilberti SIlva, Maicon and Gilberto? Who else can replace them?? The Brazilian League don’t have any more young, good, talented and disciplined first team players?????
Posted from
Malaysia -
I totally agree on the headline “Brazil the face of mediocrity.” Wow, amazing, not even the so-called powerful players from Real Madrid could manage a victory?
Jzlim11, can you repeat louder your statement “this is the worst Brazil team I’ve ever seen before.” You are on target. I agree. It’s been years since Brazil lost control of their DOMAIN and almost everybody beat them.
Don’t you think Brazilian Coach should call other players not that “popular with a big marketing bill?”Posted from
United States -
Diego isn’t the main problem. He’s fantastic for werder bremen. I
Posted from
United States -
It’s the whole of the national team as well as Dunga’s tactics. No invention, creativity; slow, ponderous passing with no purpose or attacking flair; passing for passing sake; Badly missing kaka, or a fully fit and motivated ronaldinho and the cutting edge of Ronnie!!. Where was Pato, Alex, Jo, and a few others
Posted from
United States -
Dunga is the biggest problem. brazil don’t play their usual attacking game because the coach is too worried about the opposition. if he started with three volantes against Paraguay, how many is he planning to use against Argentina?!!
Posted from
United States -
I was a the match yesterday. I’m very happy of course. I thought Paraguay had a much superior game and Brazil was really lacking in ideas. It’s surprising to find out we have better strikers than Brazil does! Brazil really needs to work out their squad. Adriano was useless up front. Where was Elano?
Posted from
Paraguay -
Brazil’s mediocrity is not so much to account for this, Paraguay has a tremendous squad right now. Check on all lines… attack, midfield and defense. There are quality players. Santacruz is about to be transferred to Man Utd. for millions of euros. Salvador Cabañas was voted best South American striker. The defense is fantastic with Julio Caceres who is a star for Boca Juniors. Midfielder Enrique Vera is on the Copa Libertadores finals with his team. LDU. Stop blaming Dunga and praise Paraguay.
Posted from
Paraguay -
Whew — if I were Dunga, I would have resigned in embarrassment. Like, didn’t he have a voice in putting that “team” together? It might be humorous, if it were not quite so tragic. I’m still amazed!
Yet, interestingly, Ecuador (underdog of two goals) tied Argentine, 1-1. And Chile was able to win at 11,000 foot altitude? Quite a weekend!Posted from
United States -
josimars here you are again diego is not the problem, man you must hate diego.
Posted from
United States -
I only hope you guys that are saying I hate Diego watch the Argentina Brazil match. Diego came on as a sub and was himself substituted. Brazil misses Kaka and Ronaldinho. They lack invention in the final third of the field. This is the only reason why Dunga is able to keep his job. I like the warrior mentality though. The tackling all over the pitch but that only cannot win matches especially when teams only come to defend and hit you on the counter attack. Argentina came to get a point and they succeeded.
Posted from
United States
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