Easy: Brazil 3 – 0 US
Bruno Romani | Jun 18, 2009 | Comments 1
Before the match started, the big question was if Brazil, as a team, was back to normal levels of Dunga suffering seen in the past game, or if the last game was a unseen performance by Egypt.
And before Dunga and the fans could seat and ponder that question, Brazil was winning 1-0. Great start for the team that had a squad that tested 3 new players – Miranda replacing Juan, Andre Santos replacing Kleber and Ramires replacing Elano. The new starter, however, that took over the match wasn’t that new. Maicon replaced Daniel Alves and kept the right side as the hub for the most dangerous plays for the team. With 7 minutes in, the number 2 took a free-kick and put it, as if using his hand, in the head of Felipe Melo to open the score.
Brazil used the first 15 minutes to suffocate the Americans. It was a match of only one team. And one thing was made clear one more time: American players are as bad as their TV commentators.
With 20 minutes, the US tried to attack and ended with a lesson in counterattacking. The Americans had a corner. Brazil stole the ball, Kaka gave the ball to Ramires. And the number 18 did what we’ve seen him doing over and over at Cruzeiro. Insanely fast pace and a pass given to Robinho, whose only work was to push the ball against the net.
Brazil slowed the pace after that. But the US was no trouble for the defense.
Brazil kept stealing balls and being dangerous in the right side. Andre Santos was no major improvement from Kleber.
And the same way the right was one more time Brazil’s strength, one more time the biggest structural issue of the team came up. Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo are not covering well the two sidebacks. Luckily, the US showed a poor football.
In the second-half, Americans seemed to gain more territory. With 7 minutes, Miranda left space for the Americans go for the 1-2. But their recovery stopped there. Kaka, Ramires and Maicon started to gain control again over the right offensive side. The hopes for the US died in the red card of its number 16, whose tackle in Ramires had a dangerous high foot.
Brazil increased the pace again with Ramires and Maicon exchanging quick passes. And the number 2 was rewarded with a beautiful goal resulting from collective work. With the 3-0 the match was over. Dunga decided to give play time to Julio Baptista, Nilmar and Luisao who replaced Kaka, Luis Fabiano and Lucio.
The large advantage and the replacements killed the game. Brazil had no more interest, despite attempts by Robinho and Andre Santos, who in the second half did more than Kleber even done with the national team.
And the lack of interest exposed how Gilberto Silva is slow,who gave all the space for the US to hit the post of Julio Cesar twice. In the end of the game, Brazil looked close to a 4th goal through Julio Baptista, but his game seemed a bit off shape. But that was it.
Brazil is qualified to the semis. The match against Italy will be a luxurious friendly.
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Filed Under: 2009 Confederations Cup • Featured • World Football
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Ramires looked great today. One would think Elano really has his work cut out for him to gain his spot back. I knew the U.S. left side would be vulnerable but that display was shocking.
I agree with you about Gilberto Silva’s lack of pace being a big problem. I think his spot really needs to be addressed soon. He will only get slower by 2010.