After reaching the final of the Confederations Cup, Brazil know that they must defy Spain if they are to enter next year’s World Cup on home soil with the favourites tag.
In around 360 minutes, everything changed. Four victories were enough to erase doubts that hung out for the last four years regarding the potency of Brazil as a footballing power. Today, Brazilian football is confident of once again returning to the top echelons of international football.
Many analysts in South America are confident that the winds are changing and Brazil’s time is about to come. There is progress indeed but it should be acknowledged that Brazil is far from being the best team in the world.
Currently ranked 22nd and with the FIFA World Cup looming large on home soil, it is important for the Selecao to send out a strong signal of intent when they face reigning World and European Champions, Spain in the final of the Confederations Cup.
Following the dismissal of Mano Menezes, whose two years with the national side did not really turn things around, the football federation decided to give Luiz Felipe Scolari another shot with the national side. As it turned out, the former Chelsea manager was an excellent choice. The highly experienced tactician guided the team to the 2002 World Cup triumph. Now, he is looking to do what his predecessors have never managed: mix the famous Joga Bonito style with an organisation level that would make any European side proud.
From the outset, Mano Menezes stressed on the importance of the younger generation of players to develop a more practical approach towards the game. Indeed, last year’s Olympic Games are a strong testament to what Menezes wanted to do.
A team led by Neymar, was promised riches at the London Olympics but fell short of its target against a Mexico side that worked hard to win its first gold medal.
And it was to be Scolari who turned things around for the team. Upon his arrival, the first thing Big Phil did was to instil some much-needed maturity to the side. Neymar’s development has been quite rapid since the new manager came in. From being a Youtube sensation, the new Barcelona signing has become the fulcrum of the team’s attacking play.
Victim of ridicule after signing for Barcelona, his performance have shown that the player is coming and ready to play in Europe.
Apart from his great assist against Mexico thanks to his excellent dribbling and inventive skills, one has to admire the youngster who now aims to go straight to the point, strikes at will and is becoming more of a team player.
The presence of Marcelo and Dani Alves shows that Scolari has kept the Brazilian tradition of attacking full-backs very much alive. Key to the team’s defensive organisation is Thiago Silva who is arguably the best centre back in the world and can be relied upon with both eyes shut. However, the PSG man needs to have good defenders with him too. David Luiz, despite being belittled by the British media, has turned out to be quite a player for his country.
The goalscoring instinct of Fred is another factor that has transformed the national side’s fortunes. Although Hulk has still not convinced during the tournament, the former Porto star on his day, can be devastating.
All in all, Brazil have quite a team at the moment and Scolari will be looking to devise a plan that will allow Selecao to express themselves properly in the final against Spain, a team that time and time again, has silenced people who seem to think that La Roja is at the end of the road.
Moreover, winning the Confederations Cup should be Scolari’s top priority. With Brazil hosting the tournament next year, it is important for the national team to start its journey as favourites rather than just being a host nation.
Many analysts in South America are confident that the winds are changing and Brazil’s time is about to come. There is progress indeed but it should be acknowledged that Brazil is far from being the best team in the world.
Currently ranked 22nd and with the FIFA World Cup looming large on home soil, it is important for the Selecao to send out a strong signal of intent when they face reigning World and European Champions, Spain in the final of the Confederations Cup.
Following the dismissal of Mano Menezes, whose two years with the national side did not really turn things around, the football federation decided to give Luiz Felipe Scolari another shot with the national side. As it turned out, the former Chelsea manager was an excellent choice. The highly experienced tactician guided the team to the 2002 World Cup triumph. Now, he is looking to do what his predecessors have never managed: mix the famous Joga Bonito style with an organisation level that would make any European side proud.
From the outset, Mano Menezes stressed on the importance of the younger generation of players to develop a more practical approach towards the game. Indeed, last year’s Olympic Games are a strong testament to what Menezes wanted to do.
A team led by Neymar, was promised riches at the London Olympics but fell short of its target against a Mexico side that worked hard to win its first gold medal.
And it was to be Scolari who turned things around for the team. Upon his arrival, the first thing Big Phil did was to instil some much-needed maturity to the side. Neymar’s development has been quite rapid since the new manager came in. From being a Youtube sensation, the new Barcelona signing has become the fulcrum of the team’s attacking play.
Victim of ridicule after signing for Barcelona, his performance have shown that the player is coming and ready to play in Europe.
Apart from his great assist against Mexico thanks to his excellent dribbling and inventive skills, one has to admire the youngster who now aims to go straight to the point, strikes at will and is becoming more of a team player.
The presence of Marcelo and Dani Alves shows that Scolari has kept the Brazilian tradition of attacking full-backs very much alive. Key to the team’s defensive organisation is Thiago Silva who is arguably the best centre back in the world and can be relied upon with both eyes shut. However, the PSG man needs to have good defenders with him too. David Luiz, despite being belittled by the British media, has turned out to be quite a player for his country.
The goalscoring instinct of Fred is another factor that has transformed the national side’s fortunes. Although Hulk has still not convinced during the tournament, the former Porto star on his day, can be devastating.
All in all, Brazil have quite a team at the moment and Scolari will be looking to devise a plan that will allow Selecao to express themselves properly in the final against Spain, a team that time and time again, has silenced people who seem to think that La Roja is at the end of the road.
Moreover, winning the Confederations Cup should be Scolari’s top priority. With Brazil hosting the tournament next year, it is important for the national team to start its journey as favourites rather than just being a host nation.
