Toca Bola: A Brazilian Soccer Team Blog

Brazil vs Bolivia highlights

Brazil side for friendly against
Italy.

J.César

D.Alves, Dante, David Luiz, Filipe Luís

Fernando, Hernanes; Oscar

Hulk, Fred, Neymar

… No Thiago Silva but I like Hernanes in there. Also, Is Fred up to the test? - tB

A. Pirlo (Italian midfielder), on upcoming match between the two countries

Name: Diego da Silva Costa
Position: Forward
Height: 6’ 2”
Age: 24
Club: Atletico de Madrid (ESP)

Who is Diego Costa? That’s one of the questions I had when Filipao released his latest call-up list. Upon closer examination I found a Brazilian s striker cut in a physical, hard nosed mold, but with a powerful right leg and eye for goal. Diego came up by way of the Portuguese leagues, having played early in his career for clubs like Braga and Penafiel. In 2007 he was purchased by Atletico de Madrid but remained on loan to Spanish clubs Rayo Vallecano and Celta. In 2010, Atletico brought their Brazilian striker home to back up then forward Aguero. Lately, Costa has been the author of several key goals for the club but also been the center of some controversial disciplinarian issues on the field. One such incident involved Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos and a lot of spitting. 

How long will Diego Costa fly with the Selecao?

While its not clear if Costa has a long term future with the selecao, its clear that Filipao has his eye out for all strikers as he looks to build for next year’s cup. With Pato and L. Damiao seemingly incapable of recuperating form or unable to get another chance with the Selecao, the strikers role is up for grabs. The constant shuffle and experimentation up front is a risky scenario for Brazil. It would’ve been nice to stick with  Damiao considering his form for us during the Olympics. Time will tell if Atletico’s fiery front man has the temperament to cement his place. - tb

Rafael Cabral

Danilo, Thiago Silva, Juan, Marcelo;

Sandro, Rômulo,

Oscar; Neymar, Hulk,

Leandro Damião

I’ve been out of it for the past several months due to school but anytime the Selecao play the USA I can’t help but feel the allegiance tug-o-war within me. I am American by nationality, but the futebol inside me will always be Brazilian. 

This lineup is being called Mano’s first effort towards establishing a lineup for the Olympic games this summer. Most of you by now have watched Oscar play. He is an elegant and precocious young prospect. He is worthy of replacing the injury-prone Ganso from the lineup. Perosnally, I think he will take over the spot due to Ganso’s unfortunate tendency to get hurt. Damiao should be the spear head. He is everything you want in a striker. Gifted dribbler, physically adept, and quick. He may be young, but he shows incredible promise and (with apologies to Pato - another injury prone player) I hope he solidifies his spot.  Danilo has had a good season and rightfully earns his place on the right side of defense. Romulo is the mystery in the center of the park. I’m still a Hernanes fan but I think his ship has sailed. - TB

Young Kleber looking to make his Selecao debut.

Name: Kleber Laude Pinheiro
D.O.B.: May 2, 1990 (Age: 21)
Height: 6’1”
Position: Forward
Club: Porto (Portugal) 

Current Stats: 2011: 7 - appearance, 3 - goals

Young. Tall. Brazilian forward Kleber currently plays his trade alongside fellow Brazilian Hulk at FC Porto of Portugal. Kleber came by way of Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro but was quickly loaned out to Club Sport Maritimo in Portugal. He was signed to Porto Just this past July and has been quick to showcase his abilities. For evidence of his abilities one need look no further than his game winning goal against Shakhtar Donetsk in the current Champions League campaign. With Pato and Damiao both out injured this could be the window a fresh faced opportune striker needs to stamp his imprint on the squad list. The front line is an area (surprisingly so) that has been underperforming as of late and the more options Mano tries in order to remedy the situation, the better. - Tb.

FC Porto’s Kleber will look to take full advantage of his window.

*Apologies for the delay*

The latest call up was recently released by the federation for the upcoming friendlies against Costa Rica and Mexico on the 7th and 11th of October respectively. Mano has been left without several of his favorite players as Ganso, Pato (again) and Leandro Damiao are out with injuries. The midfield also sees the long awaited return of Lazio midfielder, Hernanes. Along with Sandro and U-20 stars Oscar and Lucas the midfield has what I consider to be the a more than satisfactory amount of offensive power. I will profile Oscar in the days to come. The defense has one new name on the sheet that being Manchester’s young Fabio to deputize under D.Alves. I hope that he can impress long enough to stamp a place in this squad. Up front young Porto striker Kleber gets a chance to impress. Any and all options at this point are on the table after a very lack lustre display in front of goal by our recent selection of forwards. I’m real happy to see Mano still experimenting. There has been a sour mood surrounding this team as of late but its clear that the head coach is not deaf to his critics. The loss of Damiao is a shame. He has been in great form as of late. Fred looks to be favored here but a long term replacement he is not. What would you say is your starting lineup with these players? Mine is at the bottom - Tb

Goal Keepers:

Julio Cesar - Internazionale

Jefferson - Botafogo

Neto - Fiorentina

Defenders:

Marcelo - Real Madrid

Adriano - Barcelona

Daniel Alves - Barcelona

Fábio - Manchester United

David Luiz - Chelsea

Dedé - Vasco

Réver - Atlético Mineiro

Thiago Silva - Milan

Midfielders:

Elias - Sporting

Fernandinho - Shaktar Donetsk

Hernanes - Lazio

Sandro - Tottenham

Lucas - São Paulo

Lucas Leiva - Liverpool

Luiz Gustavo - Bayern de Munique

Oscar - Internacional

Forwards:

Fred - Fluminense

Hulk - Porto

Ronaldinho - Flamengo

Neymar - Santos

Jonas - Valencia

Kleber - Porto

My starting lineup:

J.Cesar

D. Alves/T.Silva/D.Luiz/Adriano

Lucas L./Hernanes

Neymar/Lucas/Ronaldinho

Fred

Close. So close. 

J. Cesar

Marcelo, T.Silva,Lucio,D.Alves

Lucas, Fernandinho

Ganso

Neymar, Pato, Ronaldinho 

….

This past Saturday Mano lined up what many expect to be the starting formation for our latest friendly against Ghana on Monday. At first glance Selecao fans will be happy to see a change of personnel after a string of lack lustre performances. The lineup does indeed have some dynamic changes that could have a significant impact on the way this team expresses itself. 

Marcelo takes back the left back slot after seeming to repair his relationship with the coaching staff. He is a gifted athlete with a higher technical level than A. Santos. He is exceptional with the ball at his feet and has no problem getting past his defenders. Although shorter than Santos, Marcelo is younger, arguably quicker and more substantially more creative with the ball. I’m still not sold on his defensive abilities and weary of his tendency to become emotionally compromised when provoked. This Selecao team has developed an unfortunate reputation for losing their heads when their backs are against the wall and can ill afford to have players that exacerbate this tendency.

Marcelo’s trickery will be a new asset on the left side of the defensive unit

Fernandinho takes Ramires’ long held position alongside Lucas in the middle of the park. He is described as having tons of pace and a good shooters touch. Whether he is any more productive than Ramires will have to remain to be seen. When it comes to the Selecao, everyone has “a ton of pace and good shot.” The real key, and missing ingredient thus far, has been a consistent display of deft passing and players capable of initiating and organizing the attack. 

Fernandinho hopes to make an impression in the Selecao midfield

The real story of this latest call up has been the re-emergence of former world player of the year, Ronaldinho. Practically all but forgotten a year ago, ‘Dinho has played his way back on to the scene. I have watched him play for Flamengo a few times this season and have to admit that he seems to have regained his joy for playing. Yet, this is not the Ronaldinho that dazzled audienes and defenders while playing for FC Barcelona. This latest version of Ronaldinho is slower, but wiser with the ball. His imagination will benefit this team in need of ideas and a touch of old Brazilian flair. - tB.

Is this Ronaldinho’s second act?

 “Ronaldinho is enjoying himself again … he is a leader and a player you can rely on.” - Mano Menezes, Sept. 3, 2011