A lucky 3-1 win against Croatia and a disappointing 0-0 draw with Mexico pretty much sums up where Brazil are at as a team at the 2014 World Cup.
Lacking star strikers with the quality of Ronaldo or Pele and relying heavily on young star Neymar, Brazil have lacked polish and cohesion in their first two World Cup matches.
This is a lacking that will, in my opinion, prevent Brazil from winning the tournament on home soil.
Having not won the title since 1998, many hoped this would be the Brazilians’ year. However, what I have seen so far has been less than impressive.
The youthful team has lacked the passing precision needed in today’s game. With a lacklustre Fred leading the attack, they have struggled to truly threaten goal and maintain possession in their attacking half.
Neymar has been impressive in bursts going forward, but his tendency to hog the ball is limiting the scope of his impact. His two goals so far were lucky and I struggle seeing him carrying the Brazilian team to the final, regardless of his potential skill.
Defensively, Brazil have been rather resolute, as yet not allowing their opposition to score. The one goal they conceded came from a Marcello deflection into his own net. But against a surprisingly attacking Mexico, their defensive cracks were on full display – allowing for a number of shots that really threatened Brazil’s goal.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of Brazil’s back line. From the rock solid Silva to the ball control of Luiz, Brazil has the potential to keep most teams scoreless. They are however a little too relaxed in defence, allowing speculative shots from Mexico that on any other day could have found the back of the net.
Their midfield is similarly full of potential but lacks the experience a World Cup demands. Oscar showed glimpses of brilliance against Croatia but aside from that, the whole midfield has been rather lacklustre. Paulinho – who is a surprise starter after a poor season with Tottenham – has done nothing to push forward his credentials.
Everyone else seems content to give Neymar the ball and hope for the best.
More often than not, Neymar can produce something from nothing, but as I touched on earlier, his youth and arrogance is impeding his ability to perform within a team – whether it be Barcelona or Brazil.
Having said this, when Neymar does get a pass away, more often than not it lands at the feet of Fred who either falls over looking for a penalty or makes a weak pass to nobody.
In his game against Mexico, Fred was replaced by Jo, who similarly lacked any impact up front. Bernard appears to a saving light for the Brazilian side up front, who in both of his substitute appearances has surprised opponents with his pace and ball control.
But the bench is not the place for him to be, and with a game against Cameroon coming up, I hope the Brazilian coach – affectionately known as Big Phil – gives Bernard a full game.
This last group game against Cameroon is the place to experiment in my opinion. Two very unconvincing performances indicate to me that Brazil will struggle to get past the round of 16 if they keep their current formula. Already touted as having home ground advantage, I feel in this instance the immense support and expectation they have, is working against the Brazilian side.
Watching the Brazil versus Mexico Game, I could see the look expectation on the home fans faces every time Brazil got the ball. This was an expectation which I believe to be misplaced, especially if the opening two games are anything to go by.
It is an expectation which rather than causing concern for the Brazilian side, has only increased their nonchalant style of football.
Brazil can still win, but I would be surprised if they did. After all it is football, and the unpredictability is what makes the game so great.
Terrosilops
Guest
Costa is the biggest dope out there... he should be playing for his country.
Brian Orange
Roar Guru
Josh, I thought Brazil were very impressive beating Croatia in third gear and they were severely frustrated in the game against Mexico. Mexico can thank their keeper Ochoa for the clean sheet - I wish we had him in goals with that much luck against Chile and Holland. Brazil will be in the final, don't you worry about that.
Bondy
Guest
I dont think Brazil will win on home soil either they look like they're taking an iron bar to a kitten approach in their first two matches rushing and panicking in their play. The Argentines looked very fluid and dynamic moving the ball around the park and the Germans should be right there also with their precision al play, look out for Chile and Croatia to go deep into tournament the French should go well too with Benzema leading the line.
Adam Smith
Guest
I think Chile will win the world cup
Glenn Innes
Guest
Brave call to rule out Brazil given home teams have a good record in World Cup history... even England managed to win at home.The tournament was a bit sclerotic pre 54 but since then it has been dominated by Brazil and Germany (nee West Germany) followed by Italy and Argentina with France and England winning one each when they had home ground advantage (still want to dump Brazil) The only other team worth noting are Holland who have made (and lost) three finals...Spain winning the last one was very much an exception to the rule. Nick forget Mexico Croatia etc there is a ninety percent chance that Germany Italy Argentina or Brazil will win with very outside punchers chances to France,England and Holland...forget the rest.
magila cutty
Guest
Yeah but he's not a full back.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Hope you're right and that the Brasilians don't win it. The other (big) team I wanted out asap is on the way home so that one is ticked. Have been impressed by Germany, Colombia and Chile so far but its still early days. teams like France, the Netherlands, Italy or Argentina should only get better. Mexico, Croatia, England and even Cote d'Ivoire still in it. Still very very open but the krauts have to be the favorites now that the Spaniards are out.
fiver
Guest
I have not watched every team play but Italy looked impressive to me. I thought England threw everything they had at them and Italy just casually scored 2 superbly constructed goals. They will be tough to beat.
fiver
Guest
Kompany is pretty decent.
Samuel McKiddie
Roar Rookie
They won it in 2002 not 1998
Dan
Guest
Brazil are definitely missing a striker. Fred has been horrible. But I wouldn't underestimate Neymar. He definitely can win the Cup on his own especially with that back 4....
ak
Roar Guru
Germany will win.
dasilva
Guest
Before people say there is no easy games and Argentina aren't guaranteed to make the semi-finals While that is true in Football it's always possible for teams to slip up and that Belgium and Switzerland could beat Argentina especially with Argentina suspect defence. However ask any nation that to reach the semi-final they have to beat Switzerland and then Belgium, then most nations would snap up that draw (I know the Belgium are highly rated but I suspect their lack of decent full backs may come to bite them)
dasilva
Guest
The benefit of Argentina is that they have a free ride to the Semi-finals (round of 16 against Switzerland and quarter finals against Belgium are the most likely scenario and a fairly easy group) It may work for them - aka less fatigue due to tough matches, imagine 120 minutes between Italy and Netherlands in the quarters and then backing up to play against Argentina in the Semi or maybe against them as they won't be fully battle hardened. Really any team that you can reasonably book a semi-final appearance are serious contenders.
Radelaide
Guest
I thought the same thing that the ref might influence the tournament in the Brazilians favour.
Radelaide
Guest
I don't think they have looked much better, yes they probably have the best attack on paper but I'll reserve judgement until the Germans play some more.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
They're not a youthful team, that's just a throw away excuse - Julio cesar, thiago silva, alves, marcelo, hernanes fred all in the prime or past it.
dasilva
Guest
I think Brazil may win it simply because they would probably gain all the 50/50 referee decisions but yes they have question marks. Suspect keeper who was offloaded by QPR and is playing in the MLS, lack of creativity in midfield and although Neymar and Oscar are excellent players they are not in the same class as previous Brazillian forwards in the 90's and 00's. I mean Neymar had a disappointing season for Barcelona with mediocre club form and he is what Brazil are relying on to win the World Cup. However Brazil have a excellent defenders and their full backs are probably the best attacking full backs in the tournament (generally previous world cup winners normally have the best full backs in the tournament) Let's just say this, Brazil are pinning their hopes on Neymar to win the World Cup but a side like Chile have Alexis Sanchez who IMO is a better player than Neymar and has outperform him in the season and one of Barcelona bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season.
Albert Cid
Guest
They are missing Costa badly. And Costa might be missing them too. He dosen't fit in Spain system
Joshua Thomas
Roar Guru
My apologies guys, thanks for picking up my mistake. Just stresses a need to fact check everything!