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Brazil-Italy Recap

June 21st, 2009 | By: Duvel | 11 Comments »

BRASIL 3 x 0 ITÁLIA

The first half of this match is a tape kids will need to be shown to know what textbook, perfect football looks like. The Italians, needing the goals to advance, made the mistake you never make when playing Brazil: they played an open game. The Brazilian counter-attack was devastating, with all three goals coming in the first half. Two of these goals were by Luis Fabiano, who is my man of the match, beating out Felipe Melo.

It could have been more if not for a few shots hitting the post and some great saves by Buffon. Dunga summed it up by stating, “We showed against Italy that we were superior in all aspects of the game. We beat the world champions and we did it in an efficient way.” You have to give Dunga a tremendous amount of credit for where the team is at. Could it be better? Absolutely. However, the team is on a great run of form. If this becomes a Spain-Brazil final I would say we are the favorite. If any team wants an open match with us, and the Spanish will, they will be buried by this counter-attack.

Brazil now will play South Africa on June 25th, a match you have to figure they will win, although beating the host country is never easy. Juan looks like he will be out for the remainder of the tournament with a muscle injury. Personally I would prefer Miranda over Luisao, who always appears to be a moment away from a big mistake.

Player Ratings:

Julio Cesar, 7, Only threatened by a couple of Giuseppe Rossi strikes in the second half, which he dealt with in good fashion.

Maicon, 8, Another great day for the defender. Sparked the attack and dominated Dossena.

Juan, 7, Knocked out early, but was solid up until that point.

Lucio, 8, He is really in a good run of form. Was very active on both ends of the pitch.

Andre Santos, 7, Made a good contribution in the attack. Should have controlled and score on a great ball from Robinho early in the first.

Felipe Melo, 8.5, He was pure class today and stopped the Italian attack dead in its tracks.

Gilberto Silva, 7, He is still too slow, but was steady today.

Ramires, 7.5, Should have score early in the match. He would have scored if Dossena didn’t put his foot on a ball, which went into the back of the net anyways.

Kaka, 7.5, It seemed like everytime you looked away from the screen he was leading the counter.

Robinho, 8, He was active and a constant threat. He had a couple chances to score with his right foot but lacked the confidence and constantly tried to bring it to his left.

Luis Fabiano, 8.5, He uses his size so well, and you had to know his goals were coming before he found the back of the net twice.

Brazil: Júlio César, Maicon, Lúcio, Juan (Luisão) e André Santos; Gilberto Silva (Kleberson), Felipe Melo, Ramires (Josué) e Kaká; Robinho e Luís Fabiano.

Técnico: Dunga

Italy: Buffon; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini e Dossena; De Rossi, Montolivo (Pepe) e Pirlo; Camoranesi, Iaquinta (Rossi) e Toni (Gilardino).

Técnico: Marcello Lippi

Gols: Luis Fabiano, aos 37 e 43, e Dossena (gol contra) 45 minutos do primeiro tempo.

Cartões amarelos: Chiellini e Dossena (Itália)

Estádio: Loftus Versfeld, em Pretória (África do Sul).

Data: 21/06/2009.

Árbitro: Benito Archundía (MEX).

Auxiliares: Marvin Torrentera (MEX) e Hector Vergara (CAN)

Tags: Brazil, Dunga, Group F, Italy, Luis Fabiano, Road to Africa 2010

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Comments

By jzlim11 | June 22nd, 2009 at 12:16 am

Brazil played excellent against Italy. It was great to see Ramires and Andre Santos starting to play with more confident. 4312 formation really more suitable for Kaka attacking style of play. But the real test will be against Spain in Final.

Posted from Malaysia

By Joel Brown | June 22nd, 2009 at 10:36 am

I felt Ramires didn’t play as good s he played against the USA. I would have gave him a 6 not a 7.5. He kept giving away the ball at times and his first touch isn’t that great either. I would rather see Hernanes or Diego in his position and see how they play like.

However, Brazil played great. Only good threat for the Italians were Pirlo and Camronsei. Camronsei was the best Italian

By Duvel | June 23rd, 2009 at 7:57 am

Thanks for the comments. The 4-3-1-2 is definitely working at the moment, I would love to see it once without Gilbeto Silva. I can see why one might say Ramires deserved a lower match rating. I gave him the rating I did because as far as I’m concerned he scored a goal. Dossena did what he had to do to prevent Ramires’ name to appear on the score sheet, but the end result was the same, and that is what boosted the rating in my mind.

Posted from United States

By Samuel | June 23rd, 2009 at 6:45 pm

As much as i thought I’d never say this so soon, i think Dunga has finally gotten this team together and playing the football we are notoriously known for. i was skeptical after the Egypt and USA games but this team has just improved dramastically after every match. if this keeps up than i dont think people should make a huge deal out of Ronaldinho’s exclusion. i mean just look how good Felipe Melo, Maicon, Fabiano and Ramires have been so for despite the fierce competition they face from the likes of Pato, Elano, and Dani Alves who sit on the bench. all players are vying to prove themselves to Dunga for a spot in the team come 2010 and that is helping the team a great deal. just hate to see talented guys like Diego, Anderson, Marcelo and Ronaldinho left out of the equation though.

Posted from United States

By Samuel | June 23rd, 2009 at 6:54 pm

on the Italy game i never really expected a serious challenge from Lippi’s boys after thier less than impressive outings againts Egypt and the United States, but you just gotta praise Dunga on the way he prepared the players for the clash mentally and tacticly. they completely dominated Italy and made the Azzuri’s aging defence suffer with the blazing counter attacks. Melo and Gilberto closed down the Midfield extremely well so Ramires, Kaka and Robinho could run riot. gotta admit i was suprised by Luis Fabiano’s vibrant performance, that caught me totally off guard.. if anything i expected Robinho and Kaka to get on the scoresheet in this one. im really looking foward to the Semi final clash againts South Africa on Friday. i think some of the main players should be rested. maybe Dunga could start guys like Pato, Nilmar, Miranda and Elano, after all they need to be assesed and can use the experience ahead of the Argentina clash in the Qualifiers and next years World Cup.

Posted from United States

By Duvel | June 24th, 2009 at 10:03 am

Thanks for the comment Samuel. I agree Dunga is bringing this team along. You have credit him for making immediate changes following the Egypt match. This tournament is always a place for players to emerge and establish themselves. Ramires and Felipe Melo having really taken off. There were some doubters out there on Melo, but now all of a sudden you hear people saying he is among the best in the world at his position, which is true. Regarding the South Africa match, I wouldn’t mind seeing Pato and Miranda. They shouldn’t make too many chances because the team has played so well together as is.

By Antihate | June 24th, 2009 at 3:37 pm

No I don’t think they should start Pato and Miranda. They should try to win this tournament, and I don’t think Pato is ready for international play. Use him in a friendly. I have not seen Miranda so no comment. But did you see Spain vs USA? They thought they were going to the final and playing Brazil but ummmm…. The Red WHite and Blue had other plans………;) Never underestimate your opponent.

By Samuel | June 24th, 2009 at 5:47 pm

Pato not ready for International play? thats ludacris, the kid plays and is a starter for a team like AC Milan almost every week not to mention he’s one of thier more vital players. to tell me he shouldnt start and be able to give a good account of himself in this competition againts a team like South Africa when he’s given world class defenders in Serie A like Mexes, Chiellini and Gamberini headaches with his pace and skill is simply unbelievable!

Posted from United States

By Antihate | June 24th, 2009 at 5:53 pm

Pato is not ready for International play in my opinion from what I’ve seen of him in a yellow jersey. He is still not there. He has been strong for his club side, but so have other players. ie Diego as mentioned earlier. Brazil should aim to win this tourney and not put in the entire B squad against any team when it matters. Use friendlies to try out Pato et al. Not now is my point.

By Duvel | June 24th, 2009 at 9:51 pm

Thanks for the comments Antihate. You are right in that Pato has struggled a bit in his appearances with the team. However I think its a case of him pressing and trying to do too much to impress, rather than his readiness to be a major contributor. I think a young player like him just needs to play for his confidence and talent to come out. He got better at Milan the more time he saw, and the same will be the case for Brazil in my opinion.

Posted from United States

By Antihate | June 24th, 2009 at 11:10 pm

Ok, Cool. Great blog by the way. I’m just nervous and don’t want any upsets. I wanna see Brazil win this tourney also. They have increasingly looked great. I guess Pato on couldn’t hurt too much. Brazil still have a lot of weapons coming forward.

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