WORLD CUP JULY 1, 2010
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Of all the match-ups, the most intriguing one (by a narrow margin) is Brazil-Holland. For one thing, they have a nearly identical tactical formation: two holding midfielders in De Yong and Van Bommel for Holland and Melo (or Ramires) and Silva for Brazil, a linking attacking midfielder in Kaka (Brazil) and Sneijder (Holland), four in the back, and a single man up top (Van Persie and Luis Fabiano) supported by pacey wingers. The difference is the flexibility of the Brazilian formation—Robinho quickly switches sides (often at the expense of tracking back), the full backs Maicon and Bastos are perfectly capable of flying on the wings and getting back in time to defend, while Lucio and Juan are not shy about advancing up the field. Such flexibility works to Brazil's advantage, as does the team discipline firmly established by Dunga—recall Dani Alves against Chile brilliantly covering the right side of central midfield, never succumbing to his natural desire to move farther out to the right. Holland is not good at discipline—Van Persie swore at the coach for being subbed against Slovakia, and Robben received a typically stupid yellow card for a handball. If they get frustrated by Brazil, they might implode. But if they keep it together, figure out a way to slow down Brazilian counterattacks and put up a midfield fight, anything can happen.
I'm also curious to see what Germany will do to conquer the Argentine midfield. Messi and Tevez have had to drop all the way back to get the ball. Essentially there is a gap between Mascherano and the front three. Germany also plays with two holding midfielders in Khedira and Schweinsteiger who can crowd the midfield and prevent Messi and Tevez from running toward the goal with the ball. Schweinsteiger's speed and quick advancing of the ball played a huge part in destroying England, linking very well with Muller. He is liable to exploit the gap in Argentine midfield. I don't think that Maradona has any idea how to match the German tactical formation. But then, Argentina has so much firepower that they might just score more goals than Germany. It might just end up being a wild game.
2 comments
Holland is not good at discipline? Really? The whole tournament, Holland's has been focusing on discipline. It is only because of this discipline, this emphasis of the importance of a steady defence and midfield -- always 6 men behind the ball, slowly trying to break the opponent's defence -- that Holland are where they are now. If there is one word with which to describe this year's Dutch team, it is discipline. Just look at the numbers. Every match thus far, Holland has had at least 60% possession, nevertheless, it created only three or four good chances per game, while giving away only two easily given penalties and two fairly good chances in four matches. Neither of those penalties were to blame on a lack of discipline, by the way. These Dutch players have shown that they always, patiently, look for the most simple pass. They never try to force balls forward. The only way for a team to play like that, is to be extremely well-disciplined. Perhaps two years, or four years ago, the Dutch were indisciplined, but not this year. This is the most focused and well-disciplined team The Netherlands have had in decades. If they lose against Brazil, it will not be because of their supposed lack of discipline; it will be because of the difference in individual quality between the Brazilian forwards -- Kaka (Real Madrid), Luiz Fabiano (Sevilla), Robinho (former Real Madrid and Man City) and Dani Alves (Barcelona) -- and the Dutch backline -- Van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord Rotterdam), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburger SV), John Heitinga (Everton) and Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax).
- yzon
July 1, 2010 at 6:33pm
I'm in the office here and can't concentrate with the anticipation. It's a crime that they have us in when Brazil Holland is about to kick off. Unconstitutional, I'm sure of it. Thorn again on this one. I'm not going to pretend I know who's going to do it but I do know who I want to win and it's the Dutch...just about. They really are a hard team to like. Van Pierse's comments are a joke and they always end up making people hate them. In saying that, I don't want Brazil to go further. They're in danger of monopolizing the sport and they're the Beatles of soccerball, which makes Argentina the Rolling Stones. I've always been more a Stones fan. So, come on Holland! Get stuck in there.
- IggyPop
July 2, 2010 at 9:21am