2010 World Cup Preview Group G: Brazil
By Ty Duffy
There is no point in saying in theology of ethics, “on this issue there are five positions.” The people are interested in one, since they are not concerned with knowing but with living. And living means taking a stance, taking a position on issues. Or as Elijah said to all the Israelites and the prophets of Mount Carmel: “How long will you go limping with two different opinions?” – Leonardo Boff
The British brought the game. The Brazilians made it beautiful. They infused soccer with the grace, fluid rhythms and artistry that inspire samba and capoeira. It became a similar outlet for individual creativity and expression amidst the dreary poverty of the urban favelas. Soccer became not just a sport to the Brazilians, but a vibrant cultural emblem. Engaging stars such as Garrincha, Pele, Zico, Socrates, and Ronaldo made Brazil the sport’s preeminent power in the later half of the century. The “joga bonito” spirit is attractive and infectious, but, to the dismay of many, Brazil’s 2010 team is a direct contradiction.
Dunga left off enigmatic fancy boys Adriano and Ronaldinho. He has cultivated a pragmatic team, reliant on tactical discipline and a stern defense, antithetical to the Brazilian ethos. Brazilian fans are accustomed to toys, lingerie and acrobatics. They are getting missionary position with the lights off. Dunga’s shift, though successful, has aroused thundering discontent and criticism. If Brazil do not come home with their sixth World Cup, Dunga would be better off not coming home.
Controversy: Nike did not foresee Ronaldinho missing the World Cup. They should have. The Brazilian star has made just 10 appearances for the full national team since Dunga took over in 2006. There are a few reasons for this.
His playing style does not fit the team. Dunga requires tactical discipline. Ronaldinho floats around the field on instinct. His career has also crumbled. Years of a flippant attitude toward training have caught up with him. He’s still skillful, but no longer an explosive force. The two have personal animosity as wel. Dunga may still be smarting about 19-year-old Ronaldinho absolutely torching him.
On paper, a player with Ronaldinho’s experience and creative talent should be kept for an impact role if Brazil needs a goal. By leaving him, however, Dunga excised the distractions and media debate.
Form: Brazil finished first in South American qualifying, with a 9-7-2 record. Their offense was streaky. Their defense was solid throughout. Brazil scored more goals than any other country (33) and allowed the fewest (11). They won the Confederations Cup in 2009 and have not dropped points in a friendly since a 2-0 loss to Venezuela at Gillette Stadium in June 2008 (I was there). This year they beat Ireland 2-0 and England 1-0.
Tactics: Devoid of flash, Brazil will rely on teamwork and a fervent work ethic. They dominate possession and have ball-winners to get it back. Dunga’s formation is generally described as a 4-2-3-1, though it is more akin to a 4-3-3 or a diamond 4-4-2. It’s very fluid, reliant on movement and players rapidly switching positions.
Squad: Inter Milan’s Julio Cesar is a superb shot-stopper and assertive in the area. Few goalkeepers are impactful in a good way. Cesar is one of them. Having won the treble already with Inter Milan, a strong performance for a Cup winning Brazil could make him the first goalkeeper to win the Ballon D’Or since the legendary Lev Yashin in 1963.
Cesar will have perhaps the best back line in international soccer protecting him. His Inter teammate Lucio will anchor the backline and captain the squad. He forms a skillful and strong pairing with Roma’s Juan. It would not be a Brazilian team without marauding fullbacks. Inter’s Maicon will start over Dani Alves on the right. Lyon’s Michel Bastos, a winger at club level, will play on the left.
Brazil will field two holding midfielders. Ex-Arsenal stalwart Gilberto Silva, 33, will be a deep-lying holding role, dropping back as almost a third defender when the fullbacks get forward. Juventus’ Felipe Melo, coming off a disappointing season, will play a more advanced holding role. Depending on the opponent, those two will be joined by the tireless Ramires or the creative Elano. This player shuttles between central midfield when defending and a right-side forward in the attacking phase.
Kaka will play the trequartista (Number 10) role as the playmaker behind the two forwards. Robinho will play out wide on the left with the perfunctory Luis Fabiano as lead striker.
Weakness? This Brazil team is steadfast and unshakeable, but sometimes in soccer you need a dose of the spectacular. The one truly top-class player Brazil have going forward is Kaka. He’s coming off an unexpectedly poor first season at Real Madrid and a groin injury. Though playing in his third World Cup, he has never had to be “the man” for the national team. Brazil no longer has a Ronaldo-type scorer, to bail them out with a goal against the run of play. If Kaka can’t raise his game to peak AC Milan level when Brazil sputters, a team could beat them.
Prediction: Spain has the most talented team in the tournament, but incredible cohesion makes Brazil an equal foe. Group G may be a group of death, but for someone else. Brazil will be overwhelming favorites. If they win the group, they would have a winnable route to the final (Switzerland or Chile, Netherlands, England). A sixth World Cup trophy on a fifth different continent is well within reach.
Interesting Fact: Brazil has the most unequal distribution of wealth in the world. The top ten percent of the Brazilian population earns 50 percent of the country’s income. The bottom ten percent earns less than 1 percent.
Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece
Group C: England, United States, Slovenia, Algeria
Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana
Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal
Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile