World

Europe

Italy

Brazil Preview Part 3: The Forwards.

January 25th, 2009 | By: Julian | 19 Comments »

I’ve said before that Brazil’s midfield is worse on paper than their defense. (”Worse” might be the wrong word to use here. It’s more like “Less solid” or “Not as good”). That being said, it’s really their front line that we have to worry about. Kaka, Maicon, Cesar… all very solid, very good players. Possibly even world class. But their front line could run an aging Azzurri defense ragged. The best strategy for Lippi here would be to call up younger, pacier guys to keep Brazil in check- Chiellini is a must- and on the counter we could face big problems. The Netherlands showed us that, but luckily we’ve come a long way since then.

Call ups for their last game:
9 FW Adriano
11 FW Robinho
21 FW Alexandre Pato

I was shocked to see that they only called up 3 real strikers. Then again, when guys like Kaka are in the midfield, maybe you don’t need as many forwards.

Possible other call ups:

Julio Baptista, Jo

The funny thing is, out of all 5 of these guys, the one I fear could do the most damage to the Azzurri is the youngest. Pato has proven to be exceptional at Milan. He has a decent scoring rate- 9 goals in 20 games this season- but it’s really his pace that’s really setting the league alight. He’s outrun defenders like Mexes and scored against teams like Roma, so it’s not like all of his goals are against relegation fodder. He also scored on his Brazilian debut, which means he’s not a choker on the national team (CoughGilaCough). I expect him to play, and I’d expect Lippi to instruct Chiellini to mark him very closely. I’m not sure which other defenders will get called upby Lippi, but I’m pretty sure that he can run guys like Zambro, and even Canna, ragged. The worst part? He’s only 19 and he’s sure to get better. Luckily, he still tends to make mistakes and poor decisions at times, but that’s mostly because he’s young. That can only help us.

As for the rest of them, they’re all relatively famous footballers. Adriano has people divided, and many want him to leave Inter, but he can still score (as he proved today) with got good pace and ball control. Baptista is a good scorer, though with a poor first touch. He’s incredibly physical and Brazil could use him as a battering ram of sorts against our backline. The fact that he wasn’t called up last game should tell us what Dunga thinks of him, though.

And then there’s Robinho. The mercenary rebel who left Champions League football at Real Madrid for the much more exciting relegation/mid tableness of Man City. He’s scored quite a few goals this year though; the move hasn’t seemed to affect his game. But then again, he’s also arguably being overshadowed by Stephan Ireland over in the Premiere League, too. He’s undoubtedly a gifted footballer- around this time last year, some were calling him the best in the world- and he will be one to watch out for.

Now, I don’t mean to sound like our defense sucks. It doesn’t. It’s not at the level it once was, but it’s not like France’s defense. The biggest problem is age vs pace. A lot of Brazils’ guys are fast, and our backline is in a state of transition. Some of them should be ok- Canna might have the experience to make up for what he lacks in pace- but others might not be. Ideally, we should control the midfield and prevent them from gaining possession at all, but that’s unrealistic. I expect DDR and GC to have huge roles in this game, ensuring that Brazil doesn’t get too close to Buffon’s net. But just in case they do…thank God he’s back.

Tags: Adriano, Baptista, Brazil Preview, Buffon, Chiellini, Group E, Italy, Marcello Lippi, Pato, Robinho

Italy World Cup RSS Feed

del.icio.us:Brazil Preview Part 3: The Forwards.

digg:Brazil Preview Part 3: The Forwards.

newsvine:Brazil Preview Part 3: The Forwards.

reddit:Brazil Preview Part 3: The Forwards.

fark:Brazil Preview Part 3: The Forwards.

stumbleupon:Brazil Preview Part 3: The Forwards.

Comments

By Jeff | January 26th, 2009 at 12:38 am

Well if they get past our midfield and defense, there is noone I would want in goal more than Buffon.

Posted from United States

By MAD | January 26th, 2009 at 1:16 am

“Kaka, Maicon, Cesar… all very solid, very good players. Possibly even world class. ”

Er… you are not sure that these guys are world class? These guys who are playing International football? I hope this is sarcasm.

By Julian | January 26th, 2009 at 1:18 am

It was sarcasm MAD. Sorry about that, I know its tough to read into in text.

Posted from United States

By alessio | January 26th, 2009 at 8:42 am

Buffon looks so badass in that picture.

Posted from Spain

By asem | January 26th, 2009 at 12:06 pm

So badass.

Pato’s goal in his debut was nice as hell too…
Even if it was an open net.
Chip from a pretty tough angle.

Posted from United States

By Caroe | January 26th, 2009 at 1:50 pm

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jan26u.html

Brazil’s squad for the match.

Posted from Denmark

By Sasha | January 26th, 2009 at 2:14 pm

Robinho overshadowed by Stephen Ireland? That’s utter nonsense… Robinho is the one overshadowing the entire Man. City team, and yes we better watch out for him.

Posted from United States

By John | January 26th, 2009 at 6:06 pm

this guy is fucking stupid

Posted from United States

By Samuel | January 26th, 2009 at 9:00 pm

why am I not surprised Amauri got snubbed, again! i knew Dunga would do it. on to the game Robinho will be the main threat in attack for me, his ability to dribble with pace may cause problems to Italy’s backline. also in Real Madrid he was used more as a left winger to support Raul and V.Nistelrooy and was effective at doing so; it would be wise of Dunga to use him in that role cause Dinho seems unfit> Kaka, Melo, Anderson and Diego should Marshall the Midfield. Pato and Fabiano should lead the attack.

Posted from United States

By Samuel | January 26th, 2009 at 9:13 pm

a lot is expected of the boy who wont stop running Pato, to me he is the best striker to come out of Brazil since Ronaldo (R9) but he is just immune to pressure. if he starts expect him to cause havoc he’s got the talent, Speed technicality and finish. I believe he’s the one true Heir of our # 9 shirt and will be looking to impress the boss, so Chiellini or whoevers marking him will have thier work cut out for them.

Posted from United States

By kqql | January 26th, 2009 at 11:49 pm

Azzurri Fwds as of 1/26/09, stats are from Serie A, Bundesliga, Liga.
(08/09 Season)

Gila -> 12 Goals + 2 Assists / 17 Games (1509 Minutes) Played
Toni -> 9 Goals + 3 Assists / 13 Games (1084 Minutes) Played
Toto -> 9(2 P.K) Goals+ 3 Assists / 13 Games (816 Minutes) Played
Rossi -> 9(2 P.K) Goals + 4 Assists / 15 Games (1139 Minutes) Played
ADP -> 7(2 P.K) Goals + 6 Assists / 17 Games (1420 Minutes) Played
Quags -> 6 Goals + 3 Assists / 20 Games (1280 Minutes) Played
Pepe -> 3 Goals + 2 Assists / 19 Games (1424 Minutes) Played
Iaquinta -> 2 Goals + 1 Assist / 12 Games (466 Mintues) Played

-> Extra
Floccari -> 10(1 P.K) Goals + 2 Assists / 20 Games (1864 Minutes) Played
Acquafresca -> 8(2 P.k) Goals + 0 Assist / 19 games (1264 Minutes) Played
Cassano -> 5(1 P.K) + 3 Assists / 19 Games (1765 Minutes) Played
Borriello -> 1 Goal + 1 Assist / 7 Games (525 Minutes) Played

By kqql | January 26th, 2009 at 11:50 pm

Brazilian Fwds as of 1/26/09, Stats are from PL, Serie A, and La Liga.
(08/09 Season)

Robinho -> 11(1 P.K) Goals + 3 Assists / 16 Games (1421 Minutes) Played
Pato -> 9 Goals + 4 Assists / 20 Games (1248 Minutes) Played
Fabiano -> 4 Goals + 0 Assist / 15 Games (1111 Minutes) Played
Adriano -> 2 Goals + 1 Assist / 9 Games (592 Minutes) Played

-> Extra
Kaka -> 9(3 P.k) Goals + 4 Assists / 17 Games (1526 Minutes) Played
Ronaldinho -> 7(2 P.k) Goals + 3 Assists / 17 Games (1236 Minutes) Played

-> Dunga’s Spare Change
Amauri -> 11 Goals + 0 Assist / 20 Games (1676 Minutes) Played
Jô -> 1 Goal + 2 Assists / 9 Games (594 Minutes) Played
*Love -> 20 Goals + 0 Assist / 26 Games (2255 Miuntes) Played
[i]*Russian PL plays March-Nov (Love Stats are from 03/08 to 11/08)[/i]

By gio | January 27th, 2009 at 12:22 am

if Lippi puts Gila and Toni in we will choke.

By Giro | January 27th, 2009 at 12:33 am

Miccoli up front forget Toto guy isnt national quality.

Posted from United States

By Sasha | January 27th, 2009 at 6:33 am

Hey guys, come defend our team honor at the Spain blog. I tried…

Posted from United States

By alessio | January 27th, 2009 at 6:35 am

Agreed, Giro. He’d be a great partner up top for just about anyone.

Posted from Spain

By Dirk | January 27th, 2009 at 11:11 am