Brazil Preview Part Two: Midfield

January 22nd, 2009 | by: Julian |

We covered Brazil’s defense last time, and this time we’ll look at their midfield. Some of you guys seemed to think that I was a little… enthusiastic about their defense, seeing as I used words like “stellar” and phrases like “best in the world.” I may have come off sounding like Ray Hudson talking about Barca, but I stand by what I said. I’m really hoping our defense will be able to stop Alves/Maicon, and more specifically, the crosses they put in. But we’ll worry about that when the game actually comes. We still have 2/3rds of their team to preview, so let’s get on with it.

If you guys forgot what their entire roster looks like (and If you did, that’s pretty pathetic. It’s been like 2 days), click here for a refresher.

Here’s the guys we’re interested in today:
5 MF Anderson
7 MF Kaká
8 MF Gilberto Silva
10 MF Ronaldinho
17 MF Josué
18 MF Alex
19 MF Mancini
20 MF Diego

On paper this looks pretty nasty. Ronaldinho and Kaka on the same team? Werder Bremen’s maestro Diego? Man U’s young star Anderson? It seems like they’ve got everyone and a bag of chips. How could we possibly stop them?

Firstly, let’s establish the positives about their midfield. Firstly and most importantly, since my grandma plays fullback on their defense, we don’t have to worry about her here (Is this running joke even funny? Please post replies in the comments). All kidding aside, they have some of the biggest current stars in soccer. Ronaldinho and Kaka are two of the biggest soccer players of the past decade, and Kaka on form is still one of the best players in the world. Furthermore, the Brazilians have all have reason to do well:

Rat-Face will want to prove that he’s still got it.
Anderson is an energetic youngster and will be eager to impress against a big team.
Mancini is going through rough times at Inter, and will want to establish himself as deserving of a starting place.

Basically, everyone’s got their own motivations to shine on this one. I really don’t think we’ll see dour, boring football. Too much seems to be going on at an individual level, and I think everyone on Brazil will want to perform well and prove themselves. The plus-side here is that the midfield, at least, will play less as a friendly and more like a competitive game, which means the game won’t be nearly as boring as an episode of The Hills.

Luckily for us, big names don’t always equal a great team. Having superstars is nice, but a team can’t win things with great players on paper alone (see: England). The guys have to play as a team, and Brazil’s midfield have struggled with this in the past. Ronaldinho and Kaka can’t really play together- they’re the Brazilian version of Lampard and Gerrard. We’re starting to see this at Milan, too, with Kaka being played deeper than he’d like. And if they don’t gel, it benefits us all the more. If they’re not playing at 100%, it’s thier loss and our gain. Then again, that all depends on what formation Dunga uses and who he actually starts. But if he does start Ronaldinho and Kaka, based on past history I don’t expect them to set the world on fire.

Another potential problem for them is that we have one of the best ball-winners in the world in De Rossi (though I’m hoping he can regain the form he had last year, since he’s still not quite there) and they don’t really have a great defensive midfielder. Kaka, Anderson, Diego, Ronaldinho… all good players but all offensive players. Teams often need a breadwinner to break up the opponents’ play and regain possession for their team (Gattuso at WC06, for example), and the current Brazil squad may be light on that- though, admittedly, I don’t watch them play that often so I’m not sure. Silva is a DM and quite good but not at De Rossi’s level. Unless I’m missing someone, I think this is really where the key to the game lies. If De Rossi/Ambro/whoever else plays for us can disrupt their play and prevent them from going forward, we could keep the pressure off our backline and keep the ball in their half.

So, all in all, I’m more worried about thier defense than thier midfield. Sure, Kaka could have a moment of genius and Diego could provide a killer pass, but the midfield here usually plays less like Barca- Can you tell that I’m in love with Barca at the moment? This is what, the fifth time I’ve mentioned them in this post?- and more like… a team that isn’t on fire. They just really don’t click- one friendly against Portugal aside- and I feel like that’ll be a huge advatage of us. DDR should have a field day intercepting passes and bossing the midfield. That’s not to say that this will be an easy game- it won’t. If Brazil does click, it’s going to be a very tough game because they do have great players. But if we can start playing like a team, we have nothing to fear.

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Samuel

Julian you make some valid points on the Solidity of our midfield, even though the defensive mid spot is our weak link we do have great players like felipe Melo of Fiorentina and Denilson of Arsenal plus Lucas Leiva of Liverpool Playing very well and way better than Gilberto and Miniero and crap Josue. Dunga is planning to call up Melo. Lucas has usually been called up them and Denilson are the future, and could make life difficult for the azzuri’s attack line if they make thier way unto the pitch.
Samuel

nevertheless it will be a great game, trust me when i say this guys our attack is what you have to fear we boast:our regulars are Robinho, Pato, Adriano Fabiano and now most likely nowadays its looks like dunga will call up Amauri. Italy’s defence better be dynamite. also Fred and Nilmar are waiting in the wings for a call up. u also forgot to mention Elano at the midfield, his versatility was key in the 6>2 demolition of Portugal. not did he keep C.Ronaldo quiet, he also had the composure to Score a gem
http://italy.worldcupblog.org/ Julian

Samuel- I’m gonna post a preview of the attack tomorrow, and I definitely agree that that’s what we should be focused on. Thanks for reading and commenting. I’m hoping the Brazil WCB posts a preview of the game but it looks like it hasn’t been posted on in a while, sadly.
Jeff

With De Rossi, even now in his current state of playing, I feel that our midfield will hold their own and win the battle at midfield no problem. Maybe this game will give DDR the boost he needs to get back into his playing form from last year. None the less De Rossi will be a crucial part of the midfield as he always is. Also having DDR dropping back and playing as a psuedo-defender at times will only help us all the more. And if you couldn’t figure it out, yes I am in love with De Rossi.
asem

Everyone’s saying DDR’s not playing great, but I still think he’s playing pretty well. Maybe not monstrous like last year. But in the game against Milan, I htink he was back to his old self.

BTW, is Julio Baptista not being called up anymore or something???
ricci

Brazil has been playing the 4-2-3-1 with Anderson and Gilberto Silva as ‘holding’ players and Kaka, Robinho, and Elano changing positions at will. I expect him to try out either Lucas or Felipe Melo in Gilberto’s position, which is bad for us b/c Gilberto is shit and Lucas/Melo are class.

I hope we see something like Brighi, De Rossi and Pirlo in midfield with Di Natale and Marchionni supporting a striker (PLEASE NO GILARDINO, TAKE FLOCCARI HIS ATHLETICISM AND SHOOTING WITH BOTH FEET IS SOMETHING GILARDINO COULDN’T DO IN A MILLION YEARS!!!!!!!!)
Samuel

exactly ricci, i think dunga has finally seen the light on gilberto Silva. Anderson still hasnt convinced me that he is worthy of that spot either, he has difficulty shuting players down seems way to reliant on his left foot and he cant shoot for shit!! if it were up to me Denilson would partner Melo in the center of midfield we all know how the guys have performed in thier respected leagues. and Concerning the Brazil Blog, I am trying to take it over; if succesful my first post would be a preview.
Samuel

Julio Baptista usaully gets called-up he recently did vs Portugal but did not play. For me Alex of Internacional in Brazil is a much better bet he was sensational in the Copa Libertadores. and he seems to have impressed the boss enough to earn two consecutive call-ups. i think ambrosini would not be a wise choice for Italy in midfield on a good day Dinho might make him suffer and Kaka will run wings around him. a much wiser choice would be Montolivo alongside De Rossi.
Sasha

Julian, I think you’re making way too much of this game, what with covering *their* players in such detail and all… it’s just a friendly, I doubt they’re really going to play for real even though it is Italy vs. Brazil. I predict it’ll be a boring 0-0 game or an even more boring 1-0 with a goal from a corner.
http://Italy.worldcupblog.org Julian

Sasha, if you could find someone else for me to cover, please post it . Something is finally happening on the Azzurri after months of nothingness, and there’s no way I’m not going to go all out. Friendly or not, these are two of the biggest soccer teams in the world.
I’m excited.
Samuel

Julian, considering all young the talent the azzuri have in various aspects of the game in serie a, cassano balottelli, pazzini borriello, Santacrose, montolivo de rossi aquilani giovinco..the list goes on an on. why doesn’t why does lippi insist on staying reliant to the old guard of gattusso,ambrosini,di natale, toni and all of the 06 regulars that have only proved that its time the azzuri should have a total team ovehaul after a dismal euro 2008..they need to embrace the new generation of players before they get totally embarrased in 2010, thats what Brazil did last year and its yielded results. at first i was impatient at the amount of time it took, but love him or hate him Dunga is a genuis..yes the team didn’t play that same Samba style they used to play in and at times the draws drew me into frustration but now i’ve realised he was trying to build a winning team and on the grand scale of things its worked. under dunga weve seen the appearance of many players brazilians didn’t even know about or knew them but didn;t know much and most of them are very good players, for instance Daniel Carvalho, (plays in russia) Fred of lyon and Diego of bremen many others who never got a chance priot to his appointment. then his transformation of Luis Fabiano into a true number 9 goal machine is something worth of praise. even though his Olympic experience didn’t go according to plan because of an uncommited Ronaldinho and a squad with little chemistry, some of the results he’s yielded over his term as manager are immpressive and cannot be overlooked three 3-0 victories over argentina he even had a long 15-16 game undefeated streak home and abroad..a copa america title and the latest 6-2 thrashing of portugal only proves one thing the Samba is back, it took some time but i thing if they can keep thier perfomances like that of the portugal game, opponents like the the azzuri should fear them and only pray that they do not get devastated.. as for the azzuri just pray that lippi finnally sees the light i know i did for brazil. Prediction 3-1 to Brazil.
http://italy.worldcupblog.org/ Julian

Samuel- I agree about transitioning. As I’ve said in older posts, though, Lippi is starting to give younger guys the reigns- but slowly. Rossi and Monto are now getting call ups on a regular basis, and guys like Ambro and Panuch are being left out. I think by WC 2010 we’ll have a nice mixture of youth and experience, with enough of each so that we can win the trophy. Remember, when we won in Germany, there wasn’t that many youngsters on the team. De Rossi was one of the few below the age of 25.

Balotelli has to first straighten out his attitude and establish himself as a regular at a club before getting a call up. I’m a much bigger fan of Acquafresca. Monto, DDR, Aqui are all call ups now, and it’s only a matter of time before De Ceglie, Marchisio, and Giovinco get called up. Especially with the way the first two have been playing at Juve.
Samuel

agree and i think they have immense potential. they might become a great strike for one day for the merda (inter) and the azzuri. The transitional period will take time but i hope you guys sort it out in time for the W.C it saddens me that you guys rely on a flop and a one season wonder for goals> Gila coughs*..Toni coughs* maybe im a little tough on Luca but he’s been terrible for u guys of late..hey your Grandma might just do better lol!!
http://italy.worldcupblog.org/ Julian

Gila is proving himself to be not such a flop. He sucked on Milan but on Fior and Parma he’s been very solid.
Samuel

im a milan fan he hasn’t had the best of times with us, the fans. h’es been impressive with the viola but it seems that he’s starting to miss his Partner Mutu. the San Siro ghost were back to hunt him Saturday; he was invisible as Pato stole the show once again.
Jessica

Gilardino has not scored since mid-December . Good gosh I hope Ambro is nowhere to be seen. Much love to him, but no more Nazionale for him, please. I think this Friendly will be quite telling for us (either in a good or bad way). Our WC qualifiers so far have not been head and shoulders above the rest – so perhaps this game will be a good building block.
lamagica

amen on ambrosini, jessica.
Samuel

Perhaps, or it can be a confidence booster for the selecao to have a good run defending thier confederations cup in June, and continue to impress in WCQ. lol at Ambro where’s the love. i think Italy will do better in thier Qualifying group at time goes on..Lippi is a smart man.
Samuel

what the nazionale needs is a crafty attacking midfield maestro/playmaker like Totti or Cassano to make its game complete. i hope il Capitano and Nesta when finally healthy (he is back at milano) to come out of retirement. i mean Canna’s not the same anymore and Matterrazi is shit thats why he plays at Inter: Idiot F.C!! am I the only one that dreams of a Solid Nesta-Chiellini partnership in 2010? To lamagica sorry about Roma getting the game stolen from them the other day by the Merda, pure B.S
kqql

Azzurri Fwds as of 1/23/09, stats are from Serie A, Bundesliga, Liga.
(08/09 Season)

Gila -> 12 Goals + 2 Assists / 16 Games (1415 Minutes) Played
Toni -> 9 Goals + 3 Assists / 13 Games (1084 Minutes) Played
Toto -> 8(2 P.K) Goals+ 3 Assists / 12 Games (780 Minutes) Played
Rossi -> 8(2 P.K) Goals + 4 Assists / 14 Games (1049 Minutes) Played
ADP -> 7(2 P.K) Goals + 5 Assists / 16 Games (1343 Minutes) Played
Quags -> 6 Goals + 3 Assists / 19 Games (1208 Minutes) Played
Pepe -> 2 Goals + 2 Assists / 18 Games (1365 Minutes) Played
Iaquinta -> 2 Goals + 1 Assist / 12 Games (466 Mintues) Played

Extra
Floccari -> 10(1 P.K) Goals + 2 Assists / 19 Games (1770 Minutes) Played
Acquafresca -> 7(1 P.k) Goals + 0 Assist / 18 games (1197 Minutes) Played
Cassano -> 5(1 P.K) + 3 Assists / 19 Games (1765 Minutes) Played
Borriello -> 1 Goal + 1 Assist / 7 Games (525 Minutes) Played

vs.

Brazilian Fwds as of 1/23/09, 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 + 3 Assists / 19 Games (1176 Minutes) Played
Fabiano -> 4 Goals + 0 Assist / 14 Games (1020 Minutes) Played
Adriano -> 1 Goal + 1 Assist / 8 Games (495 Minutes) Played
Jô -> 1 Goal + 2 Assists / 9 Games (594 Minutes) Played

*Love -> 20 Goals + 0 Assist / 26 Games (2255 Miuntes) Played
*Russian PL plays March-Nov (Love Stats are from 03/08 to 11/08)

Extra
Amauri -> 11 Goals + 0 Assist / 19 Games (1582 Minutes) Played
Ronaldinho -> 7(2 P.k) Goals + 3 Assists / 16 Games (1217 Minutes) Played
Kaka -> 7(2 P.k) Goals + 4 Assists / 16 Games (1453 Minutes) Played
.
asem

kqql you forgot totti for italian attackers and baptista for brazilia attackers
kqql

asem

Totti has retired for the Azzurri and I doubt Baptista starts for Dunga’s Brazil
http://juventus.theoffside.com alessio

Ronaldinho and Kaka on the same team?

err…have you been watching Milan this season?
http://italy.worldcupblog.org/ Julian

Alessio: that was written tongue in cheek. A bit further down:
” Ronaldinho and Kaka can’t really play together- they’re the Brazilian version of Lampard and Gerrard. We’re starting to see this at Milan, too”
Samuel

they have shown signs of difficulty, but overall the’yve done well for club (Milan) and country and remember Dinho hasn’t been the same since his fallout at Barca. and these two have a grove thats starting to click with Pato and its sensational to watch.
http://juventus.theoffside.com alessio

Mmmm good point Julian, I’m an idiot.

Gila-flop isn’t decided for me yet. On one hand I think Milan+Ancelotti screwed him up, though his underperforming for the Nazionale could just mean he’s uncomfortable playing on the biggest stage, no offense intended to Viola fans.
Tomek

You’ll probably win this game quite easily. Brazil is no where as
good as they were in the past. If you just throw away the waste man
that is Toni (who basically ruined EURO 2008 for you) and get
some decent striker there, and you’ll be fine.
http://theonerantmachine.blogspot.com John Silver

Gila is screwed by the formation, not by the big stage. It’s a shame, because as far as pure prima puntas go, he’s probably the best we’ve got. His performance against Juventus tonight was excellent, he scored a goal (wrongly disallowed by the referee) and continually bounced it off for Jovetic, Melo and Santana. His off-the-ball movement was top-notch too.
http://theonerantmachine.blogspot.com John Silver

By the by, I can’t blame Samuel for his expectation that Italy risks getting steamrolled against Brazil because he’s obviously not been following the Azzurri (no offence man, and a sincere welcome to the blog), but surely none of you guys share in this kind of concern?

I mean, have we learnt ANYTHING from watching Italy over this year? Our midfield defensive game and its interaction with the defence are a fortification. The technical level is very high and the fighting spirit is unbreakable.

I thought it was pretty much common knowledge that Italy’s problems are not the defence. We need to sort out the tactics for a more fluid game up front and figure out the offensive starters, those are the real issues. Brazil are the ones who will have to step up the offence, not Italy the defence.
Samuel

well taken John Silver, i know just how good Italians are at a defensive aspect but lets not underestimate Brazils attack o.k mate. one thing you obviously should of learned at Euro 2008 is that great defences only dont win title but a great attack and defence does and thats what Brazil has, and thats why spain won it even though i was cheering Italy.
http://theonerantmachine.blogspot.com John Silver

Our defence was a shambles at Euro 2008. What we’ve got now is something very different.

Brazil’s attack is absolutely terrifying but they’re going to have to pull a stunner of a performance to bag the three goals you’r expecting. A 1-1 is a much more realistic prediction, even a 2-1 for Italy.

Seriously, Brazil could very well win this, but I’ll be stunned if they do so by more than a 1 goal margin. Anyway, good luck to you. I’m hoping for a good game since I’ll be in the stadium.
http://theonerantmachine.blogspot.com John Silver

For the record –

Italy, last 6 games, 9 goals scored, 5 conceded. 3 wins and 3 draws.
Lippi: 31 games unbeaten so far.

It’s not that easy to beat this iteration of the Azzurri. A draw maybe, but winning against Italy? Tough, man.
Samuel

John, you are very defensive of your tean and i admire that. but i made reference to a three one result because our strikers are in form; not to mock or disrespect your side. heck im just being a fan i dont care if Brazil wins this game or not as long as give a good performance i’ll be happy. a draw would be more than welcome and i guess ill have to be content with watching this on my H-D T.V after School.
kappa

Hey guys, does anyone know where I can find an Italian national soccer team jersey from 2002, the nice kappa one? Thanks
9 champs leagues

samuels, dont keep dreaming, as we all know, Brazil r not the force they were previously and even Norway and Equador and Bolivia can and r defeating them now a days….i cant see any devastating players in Brazil maybe barring kaka( our serie A champs and Lippi can definately know about him)…Dani Alves is good, very good but so is Zambrotta and Grosso..Lippi hopefully calls up De Ceglie and plays him for atleast 20 minutes, that lad is very good..maicon is very good but not awesome ..juan and Lucio and Alex are good players ..
midfield–wellour midfield is definately a notch above that of Brazil!!definately..De Rossi, Camoronesi, Aquilani, Montolivo, Pirlo are all very good…
strikers wise..i definately dont rate Luis Fabiano, Adriano, Baptista, dinho……as devastating!!
let us see!!we have Toni, Rossi, Gila tooo..Rossi is getting better by each game, the way he controls the game for his side(villareal ) is amazing!!then we have the greatest goalie in the world!
since it is a friendly, i can see a draw as a good result, samules said that Brazil defeated Portugal 6-1, but then we thrashed portugal with our second string 3-1 not long ago away from home!
Bring on Brazil!1i Say!1when the going gets tough , Italia gets going!!