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Sheesh, get off our back

June 20th, 2006 | By: Zé Fernando | 36 Comments »

You know, Daryl’s words on the preview of Brazil’s premiere match against Croatia have become quite prophetic: “there’s so much hype surrounding the World Cup holders and favourites that you wonder if any team could live up to expectations”.

That’s what we’re living through right now. The team played two matches, and won both, but by small margins (1-0 over Croatia, then 2-0 over Australia). They didn’t perform as well as many people expected them to. They have issues with some key players, and overall they’re not living up to expectations. But you know what?

It’s not their fault.

No Seleção player went around saying they had it on their pocket. None made predictions they’d win by a landslide. And believe me, I’ve watched and read tons of interviews with them. If anything, they said they had a strong team and they expected to be in shape to the cup, but then again many teams say the same. I saw nothing but humbleness on their words - not fake words, but rather the words of people who had already been there and knew that being favorites is a tough spot that means nothing but pressure. They know football is played inside the field, not on sport columnists’ articles, not on FIFA’s rankings.

Parreira, on numerous interviews, said that once the World Cup starts, there’s no favorite anymore. And sure enough, that’s what you’re seeing right now. Brazil are still part of the favorites, make no mistake - but not as much as people were led to believe they were.

But who put them so high up on the hype ladder?

That’s a good question. If you started following the World Cup now and has no idea why Brazil is the favorite, you’d be inclined we were the ones to spread it. But this is not the case. Prior to the World Cup, the press started to build the hype after Brazil won against Chile on the qualification rounds - 4-0 if I remember well, a couple of years ago - and it snowballed from there. Other teams and players picked up the news and, almost on cue, started repeating Brazil were the clear favorites. On numerous occasions, Argentina’s coach José Pekerman said that Brazil were the distant favorites. Juergen Klinsman, from Germany, did the same. Then Nike picked up the hype and profited from there with their Joga Bonito campaign. For the most part, Brazilian players continued to perform well on their European clubs. The rest’s history.

So who’s to blame? The Brazil team, who always respected the other teams, or the world press and other “un-favorite” teams, who were quick to point to Brazil squad and reassure you they’d create nothing but magic on the field, with Eric Cantona repeating that to us nonstop?

Although I joked about it on the past, I don’t believe in conspiracy theories. I don’t think there was a plan between coaches and the press to boost the team to a spot it wasn’t. I do, however, believe that this always happens with teams that are hyped up so much - see France and Argentina in 2002, who where favorites and didn’t even qualify for the second round. If this is your first World Cup, then you don’t know that. But it happens all the time.

What I mean is that there are still people who think we “were owned” because we just won 2-0. Because if Brazil had won 6-0 with a beautiful show, they’d just say “oh well, nothing new, just as expected”. This people know nothing about football. If you are the one infected by such hype, you are the one to blame - not Brazil’s squad. If you don’t like the fact that the team didn’t create a rupture on the space-time continuum with their magic football skills, hey, tough luck - such is the nature of football. And hey, I still get “Joga Bonito” ads with Rooney on the TV around here - but that’s no reason for me to jump on the England Blog and to start blaming them just because Rooney got injured and isn’t paying off to my expectations, is it?

Stop the hate. I can understand a Brazilian coming to me and saying how much the team sucks and how much he’s disappointed with it - we go through this every World Cup (specially when we actually win it) and it’s not so serious. What’s pretty annoying though is seeing people from the other side of the globe screaming on comments how the team didn’t live up to their high Nike-sponsored expectations and how much we suck just because we didn’t won by 4-0 or more, as if it’s our fault that they were deceived by press and marketing hype.

You know, I love my team. None of my love for football has diminished on the past few weeks. However, thankfully, now, it’s clear we are just another team - the guys on the field are doing what they can, and having great players doesn’t automatically mean having a great team. If anything, I’m happy they’re not having easy games and are realizing what they have to fix now. I’m happy the press is finally starting to criticize them instead of just boost them up - in all World Cups we won, the press and the general public opinion was strongly against the Coach’s decisions. This didn’t happen this time, but it’s slowly starting now. And I’m happy because the same happened on 2002 - when Brazil started very slowly on the group stages but became quite strong as the matches progressed.

It’s clear Argentina are the clear favorites now. By a wide margin. No other team could afford to have Messi and Tevez sitting on the bench. Now, if Argentina wins a game by just 1-0 or 2-0, you know what you have to do.

Will we win this one? I don’t know now, and didn’t know before. I surely hope so though. All I know is that, if winning 2-0 means “getting owned”, I hope we will continue “getting owned” for the remainder of this World Cup.

Stop the hate. Support your team, and I’ll support mine. In the end they’re 11 men playing on a field and everything can happen. That’s football, and that’s the beauty of it.

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Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 36 comments.

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By lkt | June 20th, 2006 at 7:56 pm

Parreira’s strategy for the 1st round appears to be “Get Ronaldo match fit”, and that’s proving to be a lot of work. Even so, Brazil shut out two very determined Croatian and Australian sides. If your opponents play about as well as they can and you are rounding into form and you still them see them off, well maybe things aren’t so bad. But the problem with getting Ronaldo fit is that it keeps Robinho on the bench, and that guy is not just a joy to watch but makes the whole team a joy to watch. So what’s better — start Robinho, or stick with Ronaldo? Tough decision, as a fit Ronaldo would be a terrific boon.

In the end, I think the first poster has it right. Relax, and enjoy the games, that’s what they’re there for. Taking it deadly serious means you might be Argentine, or perhaps English. So have fun, support your team, and enjoy the ride.

Posted from United States

By Keyser | June 20th, 2006 at 8:02 pm

Hi Zé, an excellent post as usual.
a view from an argentinean: I still see Brazil as the #1 candidates. Why? maybe because you’re the only team who can play two games in a WC at half power, win them both and with no goals against. you are always slow starters, and you appear in the knock out rounds. we may have messi and tevez sitting in the bench, but you have robinho (who has much more ‘hunger’ than ronaldo in my eyes, and specially Juninho, who is a top class player who I hope will stay in the deep bench if we play against you. Brazil has the ability to play in an ‘non artful’ way, let’s even say almost ugly for a brazilian/argentinean taste, and win anyway, something which is forbidden for the 99% of the teams worldwide.
I remember the confederations cup final, argentina had trashed brazil 3-1 one month before in BsAs, and in that game it was exactly the oposite story, I don’t even remember if it was 4-0 or 4-1 in a massive massacre. at least in my case, that game convinced me that Brazil was the candidate more that all the nike ads there have ever existed.
So, I toast to see some nice play from brazil from next week on, like 4 years ago, when you defeated england and I was staying in front of the TV thinking ‘you see? that’s how you have to play the brits!’. and shall we meet in the final, and may the best team win.
voila. c’est tout.

By lmw | June 20th, 2006 at 8:06 pm

Stuart,

Then don’t be awed. While I want to be “wowed” and “awed” every time Brazil plays. That’s simply not realistic so I’m content to praise the positives (team performing well) and criticize the negatives (Ronaldo’s play so far). So in a sense, we can have it both ways, because every time Brazil takes the field, there is a chance that we will see the Jogo Bonito.

Posted from United States

By Felipe | June 20th, 2006 at 8:12 pm

Zé, my filings exactly…excellent post!

Our boys are being crucified for not delivering something that they never promised. What they did promise was to play their best, as a team and fight for the cup, which they have done so far. We are through to the next round with two games - other so called “favorites” are not - and have no reason to doubt that the seleção will go all the way.

Da-lhe Brasil!

Posted from United States

By pf | June 20th, 2006 at 8:13 pm

Thread of wisdom (lot of good points in the article and comments too).

I believe that there are plans on replacing Ronaldo in upcoming games. He needs few goals to set his records (and Parreira is nice about it), but at the same time he is preparing Robinho to step in and work the magic.

And to those who were hyped up by Nike commercials, well, all I can say, a win is a win. It takes only 1 goal to win and unnecessary risks of injuries just to impress the public would be a poor call.

Parreria is a experienced coach and a wise man — let’s show some faith in him!

By pf | June 20th, 2006 at 8:17 pm

me speel no good. Fogive my no spell cheker in laast post….

By Gustavo | June 20th, 2006 at 8:17 pm

Keyser, the Brazilian team in the Confederations Cup was almost the same as this one in the WC, but guess who was NOT playing? Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Cafu! And they were replaced by Robinho, Gilberto, and Cicinho, who are all on the bench today! Came on! Its time to let the tallented new generation take over after so many happy moments that Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Cafu gave us in the past! I am really thankfull for these players but we can´t live in a museum.

PS- I cant stand Juninho on the bench, how can he fit in the team with Ronaldinho and Kaka? That would be so good to watch!

By zé | June 20th, 2006 at 8:21 pm

Thanks for the nice words and the additional comments, people. Really insightful and I think it helps the article immensely.

I think my main point is that some people should stop measuring the team by two different measures - if some other team wins, hey, Cool!, but if Brazil wins, it’s only cool if it’s 4-0 or more PLUS some Nike highlight moments. If not, they “were owned”. A good example was some people from outside the country (specially some Australian supporters) on the past few articles, actually trashing Brazil just because they didn’t win by a landslide.

I’m also a guy who expects art inside the field. I don’t like or expect a cold, 1-0, bureaucratic win. I want heel passes, elasticos, chapéus, pedaladas and all the tricks in the book that I can later replicate with a complex sequence on Winning Eleven. But I know I won’t be seeing that all the time, no matter what’s the team, and that’s why I don’t use it as my leverage of excitement.

And Keyser, I make your words mine! I hope the countries meet on the final. This has been my dream finals for almost two decades, and this time it looks like we can finally do it.

I just hope we win then.

Posted from Brazil

By maria | June 20th, 2006 at 9:01 pm

i love brazil i hope they win the finals i hope randolo makes some goal i want to see him make some majic like they did in 2002
go brazil go!!!!!!! i hate germany i hope they loose

Posted from United States

By Euler | June 20th, 2006 at 9:28 pm

Great post Zé!!! Stop criticizing our team! Get off our back!

But I also agree with Gustavo. For a Brazilian it is very painful to watch our team playing like that when you know there is great potential sitting on the bench.

I’m praying Parreira experiment everything he can against Japan. I would love to see Juninho playing.

By Noser | June 20th, 2006 at 10:42 pm

My father-in-law thinks Ronaldo should be benched, move Ronaldhino up front to his position, and bring Juninho into the midfield. What do you all think?

Posted from United States

By GM | June 20th, 2006 at 11:43 pm

Everything that’s in the article is true. But there is another reason people criticize the team and it’s not the hype and the Nike ads, it’s the state of football today.

There is only Barcelona out there and a weak Real which looks more like a travelling circus than a football team and ALL the rest of the big europeans teams play an ugly defensive game; no improvisation, no risks, no art. Have you watched a Liverpool or a Chelsea game? The philosophy is “Score half a goal, achieve zero”. Not to mention Germany and Italy championships games. It’s a pain to watch and it’s getting worse with each year - more defensive tactics, less attack, less skill.

And it’s the same with national teams. Most of the countries just don’t have any artists in their teams. England and Germany are perfect examples - a lot of hard-working guys but no creative skilled players

That’s why people want to see Brazil play the Joga Bonito - they’re tired of the boring european football. It’s important for the game itself. Brazil needs to win and needs to do it flashily, just to show the rest of the world this kind of football is better and it can win. When you see them doing exactly the opposite - playing it safe like a european team, of course you’re disappointed, especially when you know how well they can actually play

Posted from Bulgaria

By mcthingy2 | June 20th, 2006 at 11:59 pm

Brazil bring the overhype on themselves by being Nike’s bitch! Brazil are a whore to Nike’s dollars: look at all the advertising spent on Joga Bonito campaign or whatever the freak it’s called?

Brazil are portrayed by Nike as a bunch of freewheeling footie philosophers, spreading their ideology to us less civilized folks who, you know, think football is a team game instead of a collection of individuals who can do back-heels. So when it’s revealed to us at the World Cup that they are actually a pretty ordinary side, you have to expect a backlash. And I’m on board with the backlash!! They have a few good players and one exceptional one. I even suspect Nike’s hand in the continued selection of Ronaldo and the pathetic Roberto Carlos.

Message to Brazil: if you want to see Joga Bonito, don’t look at fattie Ronaldo, look at Argentina’s second goal against Serbia.

Posted from United States

By ab initio | June 21st, 2006 at 12:18 am

Good points Ze!

Brasil is the most watched country in the WC because of its WC history, defending champions and its star players. Criticism for sluggish play goes with that territory. No big deal.

What many fans including me would like to see is a historic south american WC final on European soil and let the Europeans eat some humble pie. Argentina vs Brasil in the finals would be soooo perrrfect!!

Now the criticism that I have is for the coach like many others have posted to give more playing time early in the game to the younger and more physically fit players currently on the bench. The key games in the next round will likely be against Ghana and Spain. Both teams are athletic, physically fit and have incredible speed. Cafu and Roberto Carlos will not be able to keep up that pace for 90 minutes. But they have experience that may be needed late in the game when the other side is also tired. The coach I think should start the more physically fit players to compete more effectively with the opponents players. But I do not have the competence to be any kind of coach and hope those that get paid the big bucks know what is best.

Posted from United States

By ab initio | June 21st, 2006 at 12:23 am

GM,

“That’s why people want to see Brazil play the Joga Bonito - they’re tired of the boring european football. It’s important for the game itself. Brazil needs to win and needs to do it flashily, just to show the rest of the world this kind of football is better and it can win.”

Excellent point. I am really tired of the defensive European style. Although Spain has shown a more Barca-like game.

Posted from United States

By Falcao | June 21st, 2006 at 12:42 am

Ze, excellent post. You truly are fun to read. I love Brazil, its footbal, its culture and its people with all my heart. You are a good embassador for this country. I agree with most of the posts on this thread. People need to cut them some slack. And also, as I said before, we have to trust Parriera’s judgement. He’s been there, done that. And I’m sure he’s even wiser now than he was 1994. There’s not a better to coach Brazil at this current juncture. Let us all sit back and relax and enjoy the seleacao. I’m here to tell you even when they are not playing their full potential, they are still quite delightful to watch.
Keep up the great work.

Posted from United States

By loman | June 21st, 2006 at 6:28 am

i totally agree with you. i think winning by one goal is still winning. winning by four goals is also winning. besides, if you win outstandingly, other teams will take more notice on you. they will be able to evaluate u better and plan strategies to defend you better. take argentina for example, now that the whole world knows how well they play, esp with they footwork and passin of balls, other teams will be able to plan tactics to counter-attack their way of playin soccer. brazil on the other hand are able to keep it low so far in such a way that they still have chances to suprise us and their opponents. mayb thats their strategy. i cant say for sure. i think their coach should keep robinho on the bench and ronaldo on the field. robinho is a hot-headed player who seems to want to do one-man shows througout the whole match. he wont make it far for the team. with regards to his 2002 performance, i think ronaldo still has the ‘thing’ within him. yea. im aware of his performace durin the match with cortia and australia. but he’s not the only one. ronaldinho and roberto carlos are doin as well either. kaka was great in the match with crotia. but he did not do as well while playin with australia. so why are we complainin about ronaldo just because he did not score. well, he did aid in the openin goal for adriano after all right? he’ll make it. he’ll lead brazil to win the world cup this time around again scoring goals that will help brazil alot in their victory. we just have to believe in him.

Posted from Singapore

By Deen | June 21st, 2006 at 11:52 am

Excellent post Ze! People are too used, or brainwashed rather by the Nike’s Joga Bonita ads that they think each time Ronaldinho and co. touch the ball, something out of this world is bound to happen. Would we rather see Ronaldinho’s shots spectacularly keep bouncing off the post (like in one of the ads) or watch him scramble the ball in the ugliest possible way into the net? I would definitely prefer the latter.

Posted from Malaysia

By Magic Square is working! - FIFA World Cup 2006 - Brazil World Cup Team Blog | June 21st, 2006 at 6:57 pm

[...] Did you see the magic of our square? No? It is pure magic! It made four great players disappear!!! I just can’t help myself. I am upset. I agree with Zé that expectations were built too high for the Seleção but at the same time my heart is still hurt from such poor performances. I know that Croatia and Australia were good adversaries but I’m not talking about results here. I’m talking about performance. I already promised to eat a hat if we lose to Japan. Brazil is getting better all the time so I felt comfortable to make such promise. [...]

Posted from United States

By PimpmyPR | June 22nd, 2006 at 12:33 am

I find it incredible that doe-eyed Brazilian apologists attack the “European” style of play. Lumping the whole of Europe into one basket. Well if I had to choose between this motley collection of superstars and a real team (like Spain, Portugal, heck even Germany) I know who I’d pick.

Brazil have been horrible because they don’t play as a team and have no team ethos. If they did have a team ethos, someone (oh I don’t know, maybe the coach, maybe the captain) would go up to Roberto Carlos and say:

Cafu: “Roberto, you know you keep taking the free kicks?”

Roberto Carlos: “Yeah”

Cafu: “Well you’re actually rubbish at them, so from now on Kaka or Ronaldinho will take them”.

Roberto Carlos: “But my contract with Nike says I have to take free kicks and blast them into the stands.”

Cafu: “I don’t care, now how about trying to you know defend and what not. Here, Kaka would you curl this one in for us mate?”

Posted from United States

By Euler | June 22nd, 2006 at 1:53 am

No Brazilian is brainwashed by the Nike campaign. We’ve watched the French, the Italian and the Spanish national leagues and we’ve seen the Champions League matches also.

Our hopes come from these sources and the team is not playing like they did in the Confederations Cup or during the qualifying matches. The rest of the world may be expecting a Nike commercial performance, but we Brazilians only want the team to play like it usually do, with joy, with smiles and with a winner atitude.

So far all I’ve seen was a lacklustre game with heart attack potential. I know it sounds strange, but we need to get the Hexa (sixth championship). This title would give us at least 12 years of tranquility. Probably more.

Nike is evil, I know, and it can have a strong influence in Ronaldo’s performance, but I trust that it is not important for Parreira.

To be honest, I don’t think Nike is in Ronaldo’s mind right now. That is a myth. No matter how much money is involved now, the players know that the World Cup is the greatest talent display of all.

By zé | June 22nd, 2006 at 2:43 am

Jeez, stop it people. Brazil isn’t the only team supported by Nike, nor the only team with players taking place on Joga Bonito. Adidas have TV commercials too, you know?

Stop the trolling, we’re not alone in this and we’re nobody’s “bitch” for people to be complaining about it. People whining about the team now are just people who already hated the team when they were touted as the favorite by the press and just needed a reason to trash them, and the fact they’re not winning by a landslide is that reason they needed.

So stop the hate, support your team, and stop bitching. Look at your own team before demanding others to achieve your unrealtistic goals. Lay off the hype pipe, it’s not doing any good for you and trolling comments isn’t fun for anyone.

By marco | June 22nd, 2006 at 7:49 am

hey za .. nah its not ronaldos fault that hes a fat pig .. its not adrianos faul that he thinks hes the king of the world .. its not rohnaldhinos fault that his head is so far up his ass (and liek he did in the champions league final) wants to go there and run the show all by him self .. its not carlos faul that in the first half he runs around like a mad man and then in the second he cant run any more!!!! WHO ARE YOU KIDDING!!!!!!! JUST FACE IT TAHT BRAZIL ARE A JOKE

Posted from Australia

By FIFAworldcup.com - Passionate Fan on Fifa World Cup 2006 | June 22nd, 2006 at 9:36 pm

End Game Tactics

The group stage has come to an end and teams specifically Australia and Brazil had made changes to help boost their chances in the Finals. Coach Hiddink of Australia has put Liverpool winger Harry Kewell alongside Tim Cahill to form the fiercest attac…

Posted from United States

By kat | June 24th, 2006 at 6:51 am

A lot of people are trashing Brazil because they know Brazil is INDEED the team to beat. I have watched all their games and yes, Ronaldo hadn’t performed well. But I always look on the positive side. They won against Australia and Croatia, and it means that even if Ronaldo doesn’t perform well, they can manage. How much more if he’s in shape and all of them are playing 100%? With all 23 players skilled, the coach can easily sub whoever starts the game.

I guess other teams should be scared that they are starting to get into shape.

I hope Brazil will win! Although I love England too, I think it would be hard defeating Brazil.

and to Marco:
“WHO ARE YOU KIDDING!!!!!!! JUST FACE IT TAHT BRAZIL ARE A JOKE”

yeah. thanks very much. if they’re a joke then Australia would be a what?? Hehe.

Posted from Philippines