Brazil vs. Brazil at European Cup?

March 29th, 2006 | by: Euler Costa |

Benfica e Barcelona played yesterday for the European Champions League quarterfinals. The stage was the Stadium of Light. Cool name for a football arena, by the way. The two teams together have 15 Brazilians (if you count Deco), but “only” 9 were on the field. Am I happy? Nooo, not at all. They tied without goals!!! Oh, the humanity!!!

At least Ronaldinho’s Barcelona created nice opportunities to score, but the Brazilian was not the big name on the field. Bigger than him was Benfica’s goalkeeper Marcelo Moretto. Another Brazilian… go figure (sarcastic smirk). This goalkeeper isn’t very good for what I’ve been reading about. He never played for the main clubs here in Brazil but managed to move to Europe anyway. Now he has the opportunity to be really big, if Benfica defeats Barcelona at Nou Camp. The game will be next Wednesday.

Read about the game here, here, here or here (port.).

Read about Marcelo Moretto here.

Thanks Pedro P (again) for the Brazilian Bunch Tip!

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http://brazil.worldcupblog.org/group-f/uefa-champions-league-has-brazil-power.html#comments Pedro P

You’re welcome, meu irmão!

Moretto was indeed big yesterady… Arguably the best man on the match.

One word for RICARDO ROCHA (see POR blog), who was Ronaldinho’s direct watch dog. At the end of the match Ronaldinho said he was a loyal oponent (not 1 foul from him on Ronaldinho). In the flash interview RR was asked what did Ronaldinho tell him. His answer: “He congraulated me. It’s not everyday the best player in the world congratulates you”

By the way, “Luz” is indeed portuguese for “light” bur it’s also the name of the quarter where the stadium is.
soze

Moretto had a crazy game. A few magnificant saves (the free kick from just outside the box), a few lucky ones (Eto’os kick that hit Morettos hand), and a few terrible moments (almost the cause for two Barca goals)…but yeah, there is a goalie worth watching. Portugal should naturalize this guy. for the national team.
Euler

Parreira has already decided in his mind what team he will take to Germany. Besides nobody was brilliant there. I hope Barcelona win this competition, naturally.
soze

He may have decided on the 23..but now he is looking at the starting 11 for each game in the opening round. Every player brings a different quality to the team, and this needs to be analyzed.

After yesterdays game, I think that Benfica has a good chance to take the series. They are a fighting team. It’s gonna be tough in Camp Nou, but hey..who would have thought that they can get past ManU and Liverpool.
http://brazil.worldcupblog.org/group-f/uefa-champions-league-has-brazil-power.html#comments Pedro P

Let’s also not forget the portuguese there… Simão, Petit, Ricardo Rocha – I can’t say it enough times: good show RR. I mean, Ronaldinho was pretty much absent with him around…

Although BAR attacked more, and had clearly bad luck, I actually expected more form then. By far. Benfica also missed amazing chances and THERE A PENALTY IN OUR (I’m Sportung Lisbon but here I’m Portuguese) FAVOUR – 70′ min. Deco was also cautiously removed to avoid a yellow. After that, Barça had lost their creativity.

By the way Euler, don’t count Deco as brazilian because Portugal never counted Robert Pires as portuguese – he also has 2 passports.

Benfica, in my modest opinion, dominated the last 20 minutes. They should have played with Miccoli from the start. But hey… One cannot afford too much against a team like Barça. In Nou camp Puyol will play but so will Nuno Gomes. Benfica beat Liverpool 1-0 in Lisbon but also beat them 2-0 THERE!
Euler

When I say Deco is Brazilian I mean he has that canarinho football DNA in his soul. Passport is just paper.
http://brazil.worldcupblog.org/group-f/uefa-champions-league-has-brazil-power.html#comments Pedro P

I know what you mean Euler. I’m just pulling your leg… Anyway, your DNA is not as different as ours…
Kiko

Moretto is not a good goalie. He just got lucky! His mistakes are like a time-bomb, ready to explode.