The Brazil thread

Melter · 13-06-2006, 10:21 AM

As there's likely to be lots of discussion about Brazil following tonight's game I thought it might be an idea to concentrate it in one thread.

I think tonight's game (Brazil v Croatia) is the one most people have been waiting for. To see how Brazil will approach this tournament and if they're feeling any pressure as favourites.

Does anyone dare to think they might lose against Croatia?

hot-fuzz · 13-06-2006, 10:24 AM

Being a synic of Brazilian football, i hope the Croatians go for it and give Brazil a real test.
It would be nice for either Italy or Brazil to come second (not both) so they play each other in the next round, so at least one favourite gets knocked out.

hottstuff · 13-06-2006, 10:28 AM

No matter the result , i want to see a performance from the croatians similar to that of ghana/CIV

Melter · 13-06-2006, 10:35 AM

With the openess which most of the matches have been played so far then Italy v Brazil could be an absolute classic.

DJT75 · 13-06-2006, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highlander1

Being a synic of Brazilian football, i hope the Croatians go for it and give Brazil a real test.
It would be nice for either Italy or Brazil to come second (not both) so they play each other in the next round, so at least one favourite gets knocked out.

That could easily happen without a Brazil cock up & with the Czech's playing so well. Czech's could end up with Australia & then we'll have Italy v Brazil in Round 2.

(I know a little off topic but i was very impressed with Toni last night)

Back to topic - be interesting to see who actually starts for Brazil tonight, it's the toughest game in their group on paper & they have so much to choose from.

booyaka · 13-06-2006, 11:17 AM

Brazil: Dida, Cafu, Lucio, Juan, Roberto Carlos, Emerson, Ze Roberto, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Adriano.

Croatia: Pletikosa, Simic, Kovac, Simunic, Srna, Tudor, Kovac, Babic, Kranjcar, Klasnic, Prso.

Both team according to BBC website.

Brazil basically annouced their team about 6 weeks ago assuming everyone was fit.

Nothing but attack for them then!!

sdb123 · 13-06-2006, 12:01 PM

Good line-ups there.

I think Croatia could cause problems from set pieces....they've just got to remember not to over commit themselves going forward

That front four for Brazil are just awesome........

Steve

**Steven** · 13-06-2006, 1:58 PM

Come on Adriano!

You're the face of Pro Evo 2007 now...do yourself proud!

*RMCF* · 13-06-2006, 7:51 PM

Well its half-time and they are 1 up. But all I can say is don't believe the hype.

But to be honest I wasn't that impressed with them in the 1st 45mins.

Croatia really went for it and showed that if you show no respect then you can easily give them a game.

I just feel that its the modern 'disease' of the media for hyping up everything in football, and Brazil really get too much. I realise that they have great individuals but sometimes I don't think they are a great team.

Ronaldinho tonight has been poor. He must have a completion rate in his passes of about 20% so far. He won't pass straight - everything has to be a clever chip. Stop messing around and get on with the game!!

The 2 forwards look out of sorts. Ronaldo looks slimmer but still no interested. Adriano is even slower and very clumsy - awful 1st touch.

Emerson in midfield wouldn't get into a mid table EPL team if I was a coach.

The 2 full backs are definitely finished, especially Cafu. There is loads of space down Brazil's right side tonight.

Lucio also looks shaky.

And as a final thought, why don't the BBC TV people say that Brazil aren't good. Everything is, 'Ronaldinho on the ball, this looks dangerous', when hes 45yds from goal on the wing. I listened to TalkSport for the last 5 of the half and Rodney Marsh told it like it was.

In fact the BBC/ITV have said that EVERY game this WC so far was either fantastic or brilliant. Simply not true.

Silver Arrow · 13-06-2006, 7:59 PM

I hear Ronaldo has signed for Wigan!!! It's the only place that can feed him the pies properly..

**Steven** · 13-06-2006, 8:04 PM

Give some credit to Croatia. Men behind the ball, but organised

Brazil only scored after a clearance from a Croatia attack, and the Croatians were scrambling back

But thank you kaka you beauty! I love you! *

*cough* Footballing wise...not literally *cough*

*RMCF* · 13-06-2006, 8:53 PM

They have a fat Ronaldo and a mini-Ronaldo (Adriano) upfront.

Can't see those two bothering that Italian defence.

Personally I don't like to slag off Brazil - I always want them to play great football in the WC - but tonight there weren't good.

Well the game is over and I suppose the BBC are now going to rant about another Ronaldinho flick instead of talking about all his passes to Croatia.

I think we've seen the last of Ronaldo in this WC.

lightningvictim · 13-06-2006, 8:56 PM

What a disappointment......
Both France v Switzerland and Brazil v Croatia - expecting some enterntainment from Henry and Ronaldinho (the world two best players?!?) and we get a yawnfest from 5PM to 10PM GMT
Roll on Ecuador v Costa Rica on Thursday

Silver Arrow · 13-06-2006, 8:58 PM

Well there you go, Gazzer, righty and Co all agree on a poorish performance by Bazil. Wonders never cease... I have a feeling they will improve though (The Brazillians not Big ears and Wrighty)

neilios · 13-06-2006, 9:07 PM

Crotians played fantastic ,top system to stop the brazilians ,at least kaka gained me some points in my dream team.

overkill · 13-06-2006, 9:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightningvictim

What a disappointment......
Both France v Switzerland and Brazil v Croatia - expecting some enterntainment from Henry and Ronaldinho (the world two best players?!?) and we get a yawnfest from 5PM to 10PM GMT
Roll on Ecuador v Costa Rica on Thursday

Add the South Korea vs Togo game to that and it was a rotten days football. First really disappointing day so far.

It's not often Brazil are lame, so I think we can cut them some slack.

**Steven** · 13-06-2006, 9:11 PM

Let's up the tempo and look like we want a 6th title against the Aussies eh boys? Cahill and co will play like it's the final so sort it out!

Damn...shoulda made Kaka captain of my dreamteam instead of Adriano

Melter · 13-06-2006, 9:18 PM

Ronaldo was useless. They should start with Robinho next game, someone who looks hungry to play. I think Croatia deserved at least a draw out of the game. Shame.

sdb123 · 13-06-2006, 9:57 PM

I think that Adriano suffers when Ronaldo plays alongside him. When Robinho is in the team, albeit playing slightly deeper than Ronaldo, this suits Adriano more.

scrapbook · 14-06-2006, 8:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdb123

I think that Adriano suffers when Ronaldo plays alongside him. When Robinho is in the team, albeit playing slightly deeper than Ronaldo, this suits Adriano more.

I agree, I don't think that Adriano will ever be as good as Ronaldo was at his peak but they seem to similar to play alongside each other.

I'd be tempted to throw in another defensive midfielder and then let Adriano, Ronaldinho and Kaka have free reign.

gazzaboy · 14-06-2006, 8:13 AM

Did anyone notice how similar Ronaldo and Brando in apocalypse now were? both massively overweight and barely in the action...

sdb123 · 14-06-2006, 8:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrapbook

I agree, I don't think that Adriano will ever be as good as Ronaldo was at his peak but they seem to similar to play alongside each other.

I'd be tempted to throw in another defensive midfielder and then let Adriano, Ronaldinho and Kaka have free reign.

I'd change Emerson for Gilberto Silva and Ze Roberto for Juninho Pernembucano. IMO this would give a better balance to the team.

**Steven** · 14-06-2006, 8:34 AM

The Brazil coach countered criticism Brazil have only played 2 warm up matches prior to Croatia (some amateur side and New Zealand), by saying he aims for the players to start at 70%, then to peak for the final

Taking themselves a little too literally the players. Only Kaka, Dida and Lucio turned up last night. I lost count the amount of times Ronaldinho gave the ball away. Less said about Ronaldo - "the ball boys did more work" - the better

Shame reading BBC and Sky the coach hints Ronaldo will start vs the Aussies

hottstuff · 14-06-2006, 8:44 AM

Poor , Poor , Poor football by brazil (in a scottish accent)
France were the same

MADMAND · 14-06-2006, 2:49 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=aRHk8ol0vTw

Steve T · 14-06-2006, 4:03 PM

I never thought I'd be hoping for a Croatia equaliser against Brazil. They deserved a point and Ronaldo deserves to start the next game on the bench (wont happen though, but it could give him the kick up the ar*e that he needs)

sdb123 · 14-06-2006, 4:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MADMAND

http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=aRHk8ol0vTw

Yep, seen that before. Awesome stuff!

*RMCF* · 14-06-2006, 7:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdb123

Yep, seen that before. Awesome stuff!

Yeah, if it wasn't special effects.

Floodedstatue · 15-06-2006, 8:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gazzaboy

Did anyone notice how similar Ronaldo and Brando in apocalypse now were? both massively overweight and barely in the action...

rio1981 · 15-06-2006, 10:33 AM

Brazil wind me right up, or rather people's adoration of them wind's me right up... I vote for any team that actually has a go at trying to give them a good kicking

(At this point I hope this isn't a Brazil Appreciation Thread!

)

But you do expect more from World Champions, and after the first round of games they are nowhere near being the most impressive side on show. Plenty of time to go though.