14 DAY TRIAL // I have to say I am really sick and tired with people criticizing the Brazilian team at the World Cup. I mean, sure we were all expecting a great spectacle and an incredible play by the "cariocas". But let's think about it for a minute! What do they really seek? The world cup trophy or "the most spectacular team" trophy. Cause nobody will really remember them if they get the second and not the first. And, if we stay and analyze their run until now, they did show us a great game when they were without worries - against Japan.
First, there was the game against Croatia. It was the World Cup opener and, let's face it, nobody would have taken any risks then. Whoever was expecting a spectacular game was either a foul, or a man incapable of understanding football. And, with a stunning defensive play by Croatia, Brazil was pretty lucky to get the win.
Second, there was the game against Australia. No matter what the people had to say, I thought it was a pretty good game. Brazil was starting to get into shape. After all, we all know that great teams recover pretty slowly. But once they get going, it's hard to stop them. Look at what Spain and Holland managed after they got off with the right foot. But anyway, I'll admit that Brazil was lucky against a team that played an incredible World Cup.
The third match, against Japan, was a total delight. Six or seven scoring chances in the first 20 minutes, two incredible goals by Ronaldo and Juninho and an exquisite game made everybody just burst into applauses. Brazil was finally showing what they were made of.
The clash against Ghana was a decisive game. Like every single encounter until (hopefully) the final on the 9th of July. And, once the Brazilians got the 2-0 advantage, they started playing for the crowd. And they finished the match in style. But only after taking the 2-0 advantage. I mean, who else would have done it differently. Who else would have risked a humiliating elimination before a World Cup rookie just to "have some fun"? Come on!
Brazil's main purpose is to win the World Cup. It's the only way they know how to make history. And if you're wondering what happened with the spectacular football they used to perform, look around them. Nobody plays it anymore. You cannot play like Romario and Bebeto used to, in a world of football dominated by tactics and defensive playbook. How can you be a magician between scientists? Or an entertainer between the philosophers?
Are you still wondering why Ronaldinho is not so spectacular anymore? Well, first, because his position inside the "cariocas" is not the same as Barcelona. He's not as free to do whatever he wants like Rijkaard lets him. And second, this is not a domestic championship, where you have 34 or 38 games to seal the deal. Nor a Champions League knockout round, where you still have a chance in the second leg. If you remember, not even the extraterrestrial Catalans played the same spectacular game in the final of the Champions League and that's because nobody wants to take any chances.
The only way you're going to see some great and spectacular football is if you would already give the trophy to Parreira's team. And that's not just about Brazil. You could see that at every team in the tournament. But the pressure that everyone has put over the Brazilian team has been truly enormous. I mean, a single mistake from one of the players could give the journalists a whole page to write. And, considering the way things have gone through until now, Brazil is very much a favorite. And if you don't believe me, we'll talk some more next week.
PS: This article has been written before Brazil's clash against France.