Neymar fights for the worst Brazil side ever
We are at the quarterfinal stage with four European and Latin American teams each. Brazil are the worst team I have seen in all their World Cups. Costa Rica only need to repeat what they have done until now because collectively they are the best of the four Latin American teams. Argentina need to lose the desperation of having to win a game while Colombia have the biggest revelation of this World Cup — James Rodriguez.
Brazil and Colombia come from different backgrounds. A coach like Luiz Felipe Scolari works on the individualities in his team, on the sacrifices, on recovery of the ball, on effort, but with a team which does not handle space well. In all matches, Brazil have complicated things and strategically achieved no results. Everything they do is based on history and tradition, their technical skills and their players’ genes.
COACH’S PHILOSOPHY
Colombia are moulded by a coach (Jose Pekerman) who has plenty of ambition and introduces aesthetics into the game. And James has an extensive catalogue of skills, making him an elite player. For his age, he is the great surprise of the tournament.
The match will be very interesting as the teams are structured differently. It is a Brazil who are worried about not letting the other team into the game and also one of the weakest in their history when it comes to attacking capability. They rely too much on Neymar. They will be up against attacking players who allow a team to be ambitious. If Colombia play as their coach wants, then it will be very difficult for Brazil.
TIME FOR A CHANGE
Argentina don’t have the peace of mind that would allow them to play to win. Instead, they are too desperate to win. Messi takes to the pitch and the others try to define a game through pressure alone. Argentina should not think about winning even before the game starts.
Belgium is an entirely different adversary. They may have much better players but are not as compact as the Swiss; they possess dynamism in plenty but don’t seem to have an idea of how to put that in practice. Among the quarter-finalists, if I had to choose a team most suited to the style of Argentina’s game, I would pick Belgium.
FLUID GERMANS
Germany are the only team who have conviction and clarity of ideas. But what I miss are the outstanding figures like in the past, a great centre-forward or outstanding. They are the best in terms of preparation and executing plans in major tournaments. France have excellent individual players but they play by impulse, with individual creativity and improvisation. On results so far, Germany would be favourites.
Costa Rica emphasise on technical skills, possession and reducing space up front. Holland are compact and their three main players, Sneijder, van Persie and Robben have lot of experience.
Holland’s advantage lies in the fact that they do not complicate issues, so Costa Rica will face a huge challenge.