Toca Bola: A Brazilian Soccer Team Blog

Brazil vs. Brazil

After their footballing career is over the duo look to take their talents to the delivery room …

(Source: fuckyeahbrasilnt)

Brazilian Artillery

(Source: fuckyeahbrasilnt)

Ganso got injured this past weekend. Hope he makes a speedy recovery. 

Brazilian starting 11 announced for tomorrows game:

Victor, Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Andre Santos, Lucas, Ramires, Ganso, Robinho, Neymar, Pato

Only hint of surprise to me comes with neither Hernanes/Jucilei getting a start. However, Ramires has that WC experience and will need it all against the compact Americans. Overall this is probably the lineup everyone wanted to see including yours truly. There is talent attacking abound. Newcomer David Luiz will be interesting to watch in the back. Alves and Robinho will need to anchor both ends of the team. Can’t wait! 

On August 10th a new look Brazilian squad will lineup against the USA and take what we hope are the first steps towards reclaiming World Cup glory. With the latest host of changes in the team comes a renewed promise for a more attacking oriented style. The players recently selected have the ability to accomplish this while doing so in typical Brazilian fashion; full of flair, creativity and passion. New coach Mano Menezes has pledged to operate in a 4-2-3-1 with a lesser emphasis on flying wing backs and increased production out of the midfield. Just how these players will lineup remains anybody’s guess but the possibilities prove both exciting and fascinating. 

The goalkeeper spot, as stated in this blog, remains one of deepest positions in the CBF organization and therefore the hardest to break into. The recent call ups will do well to impress the manager and show future of Brazilian goalkeeping rests in good hands. Victor, Renan and Jefferson could all see time between the posts with an eye on securing Menezes’ faith. 

One of Mano’s boldest changes could be his emphasis for a return to sounder and less attacking tactics from the wing back positions. World Cup veteran and Copa America champion Dani Alves should start on the right, and possibly earn the captains armband. I expect his World Cup teammate Thiago Silva to also find his name in the starting 11. The second CB and LB position are where the predictions become less assured. Based on hype measured by the clubs chasing him my vote would have to go with David Luiz at the second CB. At the LB you have a study in experience vs youth; Andre Santos and Marcelo respectively. My wish to see a show says Marcelo, but considering Mano’s effort to curb the defensive attacking, I see Andre Santos getting the nod. 

The two defensive midfield positions will be filled, for what seems the first time in a generation, by two brand new players. Ramires did make the cut for South Africa but I see Hernanes impressing over him for one spot. The next DM spot is hard to tell when you consider that both these positions are responsible for reclaiming position and kick starting the offense. For me, Lucas shows his European club training and wins the spot over Sandro or Jucilei. The 3 attacking mid spots could be the most exciting position in terms of output and talent on display. I predict an all-Santos FC triumvirate here of Robinho (another armband candidate) on the left, Ganso in the middle and Neymar from the right. This combination would make the most sense since all three have played together for the last 5 month and have that critical sense of understanding between them. 

That leaves the last striker position as a hotly contested affair between several players. Tardelli probably has the most form out of any of the names since his club is currently in mid season. Conversely, Andre Felipe’s presence together with Robinho, Ganso and Neymar, poses the intriguing potential for a four player Santos FC showing! However, Pato has the experience and is my pick to lead the line. He should have gone to World Cup were it not for a late season injury and has that background playing with Robinho tips the balance in his favor. 

In the end I expect all players to see some playing time. The friendly against the the United States provides an excellent first opponent that is both well organized and highly tenacious. This first match will go a long way to forming team bonds, on field chemistry and identifying leaders within the group. Despite their youth and unfamiliarity with one another I expect them to put on a good show and hopefully avoid the CBF’s first ever defeat to the USA.

Lineup: 4-2-3-1

      Victor

D.Alves - T.Silva - D. Luiz - A.Santos

Hernanes - Lucas

Neymar - Ganso - Robinho

Pato

O Robinho! Tamos juntos! 

Some of the new names on the call up list were the very ones all of Brazil had clamored for this past summer. On the other hand some of the names also came as unexpected surprises that few could have predicted. Perhaps two of the biggest names however came at the attacking midfielder and forward spot. Santos FC’s talented pair, “Ganso” and Neymar are the two most hottest Brazilian talents to come out of the South American continent in the last few years. The media have already begun to hail them both as the second coming of another Santos FC legend, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, or as he is more commonly known; Pele. In truth, all the new faces at the AM and forward spots, while low on international experience, have a marked flair for exuberant attacking and typical Samba flair. 

The attacking midfielders selected by Menezes possess some of the silkiest skills and outrageous talent that till now has been sorely missing from the Selecao. The conversation must begin with the talismanic Paulo Henrique “Ganso.” The presumed heir to Kaka’s throne, in the middle of the park, this Brazilian magician has plenty of passing quality and vision. Comparisons to the manner in which he and Kaka play can only mean good things for the team. Hoffenheim’s (GER) Carlos Eduardo has shown his mettle in the Bundesliga championship with great touches and typical free kick mastery. The surprise, at least for me, had to be Lyon’s (FRA) Ederson. Purchased as a direct replacement for Lyon great and fellow Brazilian Juninho, Ederson already shows immense potential and flair. The first 20 seconds of this video clip showed me all that I needed to know. Clearly, Ganso isn’t the only weapon in this generation’s arsenal. The days of pragmatic vs attacking midfielders seems to be over and will sure have fans rejoicing in no time. 

The teeth from all the creative bite will also have new names from now on. Robinho is a well deserved regular with plenty of good years ahead of him. His leadership and experience will now be key. Milan’s Pato has served Brazil at the youth levels and at the senior level also. Were it not for a late season injury and sub par performance thereafter this 20 year old’s name might well have been in South Africa. Both “veterans” are quick, agile and have ridiculous talent that are the stuff of worldwide envy. Newcomer, Andre may be new to the Brazilian national team but not to his Santos FC teammates, Ganso and Neymar. Dynamo Kiev’s (RUS) newest striker was on the receiving end of all his teammates great build up play while also showing fancy skills of his own. This 6’1” striker dubbed “O Matador da Vila” netted an impressive 26 times last season, not bad for a 19 year old. Finally, in Diego Tardelli, Menezes has stuck with his faith in home based talent. While perhaps the less heralded of the attackers listed above, he still possess high quality dribbling talent and finishing. 

The future hasn’t looked this bright for the Selecao in a very long time. I can’t remember a time when the Brazilian youth movement brought so much potential. The journalists who have griped over the lack of imagination and creativity will now have their appetites satiated. Menezes has been known as a true disciple of the 4-2-3-1 which is a perfect formation to take full advantage of the talent gathered here. The first match against the USA will be this generations coming out party. The starting lineup choices are sure to be fascinating. I can’t wait to see what’s in store. It will not however, come without debate or critique, such is the price for donning the most famous strip in football history. Yet this burden is one proudly accepted by all these players and coaches for the next 4 years. Make no mistake though, this is a great start for the CBF, this new coach and these young guns who are charged with returning the cup to where it belongs.