(By Bruno Romani.)
It’s about time, Dunga. A draw against Argentina usually is not bad. A draw against Argentina playing as if Brazil was Poland is terrible. The result of leaving the brain behind was the greatest amount of creative chants asking the coach to leave. I’m not sure if I like more “Adeus, Dunga” (Goodbye Dunga) or “Ah, ta demitido!” (Oh, you’re fired).

Dunga chose physical work to beat Argentina. He put Adriano (whose return to the national squad feels a little too early) replacing Luis Fabiano and Júlio Baptista as the playmaker. Besides that, the usual: Maicon, Gilberto, Mineiro, Gilberto Silva. No flair. No creativity. A bunch of strong players without brains. Brazil did not have 1 man to take free-kicks.

Robinho was there as well despite the horrible matches he has been delivering. But Dunga loves him. Even if he keeps choking in important matches. Anderson also went to the match, just to keep the dose of arrogance high.

The real problem is that Dunga thinks this team is like the one from 1994. However, he forgets Maicon is not Jorginho (or Cafú for that matter), Gilberto is not Leonardo and Lúcio is far from being Aldair. Moreover, whoever is in the attack (either Adriano, Luis Fabiano or Robinho) is NOT Romário and Bebeto.

In the first-half, there were only two chances: Júlio Baptista missed one by shooting in the hands of the keeper. In the second one, Robinho dribbled the keeper and was touched. Robinho, the man who is proud of his street smart nature, did not dive to gain the penalty. Great, Robinho!

Anderson got injured in the first-half, and Dunga sent Diego to the match. Again, the midfielder did not produce anything. This makes me think that Diego is that type of player who is great for the club, but never does anything good with the national squad, just like Ademir da Guia used to be. And I don’t mean to compare the two players. Ademir played much more.

In the second-half, Argentina was closer to the goal than Brazil. But it seemed like Los Hermanos were not that inspired as well.

With the pale football, fans started to get furious and Dunga sent Luis Fabiano, replacing Adriano. Robinho remained untouched. Nothing happened. But before the match was over, there was time for the final joke from the bench. While fans chanted for the entry of Alexandre Pato, Dunga took Diego out and sent Daniel Alves. Let me put this clear to you: in order to get the victory, he took out an offensive midfielder and put a right-back. Brazil ended the match with 2 ½ defensive midfielders (Julio Baptista is almost one) 2 right-backs and 2 distant forwards. Miracles, like the final of last year’s Copa América, do not happen very often.

End of the match, 0-0. Another result in Dunga fashion. Hopefully, it was the last one.

“This squad has the face of its coach: arrogant and mediocre.”

Dunga believes he is a great coach but his squad is one of the poorest of the history of the national team. He started a match with 3 defensive midfielders, as usual. His side-backs do not attack as well. When Robinho is not inspired, as it was the case today, the team suffers. And it does because it is not organized and because it lacks in the starting line-up creativity, capacity for improvisation and inspiration. When this Brazil plays, it reminds me of squads of Eastern Europe. The keeper from Paraguay made his first save with 15 minutes. Too little for Brazil.

Paraguay scored twice, even playing the entire second-half with 10 men. The leaders of the Qualifying also hit the post, and missed other chances. It could’ve been 4-0. Cabañas, the Brazilian killer, scored again.

Why are we keeping in the starting line-up players who are reserves in Europe? Why Gilberto? Why Anderson? Why Gilberto Silva? Why Júlio Baptista? Why Dunga?

The failure against Argentina on Wednesday and in the Olympics may restore order. Until there, suffering.

But then again, if he does what he did to Argentina at 2005 Copa America final match I promise to shut the pie hole. Brazil was losing 2-1 and Adriano scored a last minute goal, which took Brazil to penalties and then to victory!

Now back to England, if they fail to qualify once again it will be complete disaster (which I believe will not happen). Group 6 is composed by Croatia, Andorra, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan, so they better play well and win against Croatia, home and away. And although I still see England as a very capable football squad, some are saying English football has not been top in a long time.

Words from the fans (from BBC 606)

“England should stroll through that group with ease. Belarus, Kazahkstan, Andorra are all home and away wins. Ukraine and Croatia should be home wins but will be tricky away. I still expext them to win away though. If they don’t get maximum points from those games, i woud sack the manager.”

“We can’t expect to beat Croatia, after the last debacle, the Ukraine could also be a possible stumbling block.
We should beat the rest home and away with relative ease, but then again we were held to a home draw by the “mighty” Macedonia !!
Still now that idiot Maclown has been sacked, I just hope we appoint a decent manager, that actually has an understanding of the game, and restores hope for the future”

“Unlike the article which says Croatia will be the main challenge to England’s top spot I believe it will be England who will be challengers to Croatia’s top spot and if anyone doubts this I will refer you to the recently finished Euro 2008 qualifying section!”

Now for England, I will take Daily Express‘ rumor and say send Jurgen Klinsmann to clean the house. Mourinho already said no, so why not go for another good name out there?

It does seem to be shopping season for new coaches. Australia, Ukraine, Serbia, Finland, Norway and Denmark are also looking for fresh new merchanside to lead their teams. The Socceroos are in a special spot among such “shoppers.” They have an exciting new year ahead as they join FIFA 2010 World Cup qualifiers with a debut in the Asian qualification group. Right there, a great opportunity for a manager to make (or rebuild) his image.

Feeling the pressure and with a clear need to close his midfield, Dunga decided to take out Ronaldinho and send Josué to the match. Another man who was returning to the stadium where he experienced all his glories in football. The sub worked and Kaká had more freedom to attack. Too bad he was not inspired at all. The match ended: 2-1. One of the most unfair results in history of football. Dunga, it’s time to get out.

Other players and the Morumbi

Besides Kaká, Luis Fabiano and Josué three other ex-São Paulo players returned to the Morumbi. Along with Luis Fabiano and Josué, the Uruguayan defender Lugano returned and played well. Uruguay made the power trio disappear.

With Kaká, Mineiro is part of the team of those who returned to the Morumbi and had a mediocre performance. He should be thankful that Josué went to the match and helped him.

The other man is Júlio Baptista. Thank God he did not play.

Brazilian goalie Julio Cesar saved Brazil a couple of times, as Uruguay would not stop attacking. And Juan, impeccable as always, made sure no Uruguayans would shake Brazil’s net.

Now Dunga must be surely blind as he kept Robinho for almost the entire 90 minutes. Real Madrid’s superstar was not even able to hold the ball in his feet and created absolutely nothing. And now that I’ve started going off on him, it doesn’t hurt to add that he has to learn how to finalize better if he wants to be a top striker for Seleção.

Kaka played ok, as did Ronaldinho. But none of them really take ownership of the midfield, which bloody sucks!

All in all, a win is a win and I’ll take it, thank you very much. Brazil is now second, right behind Argentina.

Hooray once again!

Argentinia paper “Ole” says it was a “help from the Gods,” I say it was lack of concentration from the Argentine squad.

Here is a very poor quality video of Messi’s goal. La Pulga is really and awesome player.
Click HERE to see all the goals.