Chile 0 Brazil 3: Dunga’s Ass let off the Hook by an Underperforming Chile

Don’t let the score line deceive you folks Brazil wasn’t back by any means, no no no, Brazil did play better than the usual crap we’ve had to endure, but the opponents were more to do with the fact Brazil managed to come out on top. I dunno if Dunga’s position has been helped greatly by this results (maybe there’s no gun still locked on him after the result but it’s still there) but the majority of people calling for his head will not have changed as Brazil still did majorly suck in their own standards.

Brazil for this match decided to play with a 4-2-1-3 formation with Roanldinho, Robinho and Luis Fabiano up front, Diego played as a playmaker, whilst Gilberto Silva and Josue played as the defensive midfielders/part time centre backs. The defence was comprised of Lucio, Luisao, Maicon and Kleber. The game began quickly as Chile wanted to force the issue as they felt they could cause an upset, so Brazil played on the back foot and tried to play the Dunga way and counter attack. All early possession was Chiles with Brazil trying to capitalise on bad passes and mistakes by Chile. The closest effort came when Humberto Sauzo (very good player, watch out for him) should’ve taken the lead from a bit of naïve defending of a corner. Chile though were finding it tough to get into the box due to the lock down of the Brazilian midfield, Sauzo was the only one really pushing into the box. Brazil clearly had one plan at this point in the game, the centre backs and their all too famous long balls were put into play, when this tactic fell a little short like usual, Brazil and Robinho started to move the ball and play football. Brazil still lacked everything usual such as, passing movement, invention creation and attacking football, but Robinho was having one of those days were he wanted to prove something and chances were beginning to present themselves. Fabiano was now getting into areas to provide a threat, unlike in previous games when he hasn’t been fed with anything to work off. By playing with three attackers Brazil managed to be a threat, the main reason for this is finally there was pure width in the side, being able to switch the ball from wide positions and pull opponents out of position brazil were able to make spaces, something which I’ve been ranting on for a long time!!!! It would have been nice to have ronaldinho to penetrate the left position, but instead he didn’t decide to turn up and that ‘has been’ we’ve seen for Barcelona decided to have a game. But Ronaldinho’s contribution was a free kick in which turned the game on its head, as it provided Luis Fabiano a chance to score one heck of a header against the main run of play. After this point Chile went into a mental crisis and all their good form and work left them unfortunately. Brazil still didn’t have the bulk of position but were now managing to have the bulk of dangerous possession. This was duly helped by the Chilean defence who decide for around ten minutes to play for Brazil and present opening to Robinho who should’ve scored. Ronaldinho who looked so slow and out of shape and lacked the mental drive to get into the game should’ve scored. The Chilean defence decided then to giveaway of a needless penalty on a reckless foul on dive king Diego. The script was set for Ronaldinho to abruptly F*** up his lines and blast one for the keeper to save, just dues as in my opinion Chile were hard done to be at least two behind, and Ronaldinho did not deserve to be on the score sheet. The resulting corner nearly ended up a goal for Maicon only to be cleared of the line. Brazil then doubled their lead when a bit of old school English long ball football allowed us to see how strong and versatile Luis Fabiano can be when holding up the ball then bring Robinho into the play to score a brilliant finish, one in which he atoned for earlier after playing fantastic interplay with Luis Fabiano for that chance. The best player of the half finally got a goal. The second Half was exactly like the first with the only difference being Kleber got sent off, with Brazil now down to ten, a chance for Chile get back into the game. But again no penetration in the final third affected their chances of coming back, Chile then lost Valdiva, recently departed from Palmieres and one of the best players in Brazil was then sent off for Chile. Ronaldinho was then replaced justly ten minutes into the half for Juan the left back, well Ronnie deserved it. The game now had opend up and Brazil on the counter were stronger, but at times looked a little out of attacking sync messing up easy breaks or being too casual about finishing their possessions with good passes. Robinho now everywhere was providing the spark to set others of in their stride. Luis Fabiano could’ve maybe had five goals by the end of the night instead of causing blunder after blunder in terms of finishing. One of Europe’s top scorers was committing a horror show in front of goal until he used strength again to put the result in the bag making it 3-0. Chile who played well within themselves Know they should’ve been better against Brazil and maybe let a result get by them and make it even more harder to reach qualification.

Player Rater

Julio Cesar – Always holding on and catching balls in the penalty box, didn’t have a lot of threat but one of the best keepers in the world at the moment needed to be tested more – 6

Maicon – Brazil’s fullbacks didn’t cruise up and down in the first half trying to contain the constant width used by Chile. He did though go to sleep on occasions and he has caused us many problems by not reading the danger, but he did try to attack and his strength is valuable. Not my Favourite player and not someone I would pick but efficient – 6

Lucio – No balls were really put over the top of him or Luisao to really test their frailties. A premier defender needs to be tested much more than a few croses was solid and did his work in co-ordinating the back line -7

Luisao - big centre back with good body Balance can be beaten at times, but he and lucio worked well – 6.5

Kleber - Never was in the game and never got up the left flank, I blame Ronaldinho being lethargic for him even wanting to get up the wing and overlap. We though did need speed up and down the flanks and he never provided it. Second Yellow was harsh to be sent off with – 3.5

Gilberto Silva- Lost the ball lot after working for it and got beaten by runners of the ball, even worse he doesn’t read the play like he used to. His distribution of the ball and co-ordination of the midfield isn’t as it used to be, once a great player not now – 3.5

Josue – You didn’t see him because he was doing his job. Made lots of tackles and followed runners. The need for have two sweepers in front of a back four still baffles me, his simple distribution and work rate were needed but Brazil could also do a lot better in this position – 5

Diego – All I remember is his kicking and diving around the pitch being a b****. This isn’t the player I saw at Bremen taking on millions of players and having a line of Germans grabbing and falling over him before he slotted the ball home or did something amazing with it. This guy was all over the pitch just annoying me and the Chilean players, his work rate is good don’t get me wrong at times he does move the play and push forward, but this guy is no way fulfilling his potential as being another Kaka. A joke of a performance by someone with this much potential – 3

Ronaldinho – Lethargic, dour, unimaginative, looked like he should be in an old legends match. His lack of intent to get anywhere on the pitch apart from the left hand side of the pitch was beyond me, Robinho was having to be two players to link up with Luis Fabiano, provided some passes but in all was pathetic, the penalty miss summed it all up. Played well for Milan and looked to be getting back on track but a joke for the selecao, Ronaldinho still has a long way to go for me to be a fix in this team. – 2.25

Robinho- Exciting, exhilarating and gave Brazil that imagination and samba. Moved the ball constantly looked to play one twos and triangles to get into spaces and to play with team mates. The best player on the pitch by miles, if Chile had him and Fabiano the result would’ve been the other way round. Did mess up some finishes and was selfish at times but made the difference. – 8.5

Luis Fabiano – Feed him he will do something with it. Constantly got on the end of things and worked hard for the ball. Not only that he came to play with the ball at his feet and link up with robinho, got on the end of things. Should’ve scored more but the pitch was bad – 7.5

Subs

Juan- came on to fill left back after Kleber was sent off. He looked lively and got forward a lot more and was efficient- 5

Elano- not enough time to really make any play happen but I like Elano, the one thing Dunga has done well, he works well of the ball and is always tidy provides a good solid base to the midfield – N/A

Jo- Robinho’s new strike partner, who I’ve always been on the fence about even when he’s looked good. In my opinion not ready for this level yet needs to be used only in youth teams. A nice shot nearly got him on the score sheet and him and Robinho did have some nice exchanges – N/A

Dunga may live to fight another day, but maybe Robinho may not decide to save his blushes. Isnt it ironic that on Brazil’s Independence day of 7th Septmeber Dunga was saved his independence, much like a creepy version of the movie Independence Day. Robinho was for today’s match the star of proceedings like Dunga’s version of Will Smith sort of. Robinho though in his own dilema in hollywood theatrics following a crazy week of going from an in house fight against the Real Madrid establishment and being on the verge of become one of Scolari’s blues, the Brazilian wonder kind ‘O Principe’ swapped being a Blanco, playing in the champions league and competing for La Liga, for the sky blue of mid table Premier league former strugglers Manchester City, the now richest club on earth. Well at least Robinho still showed he is top class by being at the heart and soul of everything good about Brazil, playing little triangles, through balls and providing burst of pace and acceleration in the final third of the very bumpy uneven pitch in Santiago. The invention and creation of something came alive in his little feet when ever Brazil looked to force the issue. On everyone’s mind would’ve been Ronaldinho. After that very promising debut for Milan in which Ronaldinho showed everyone that he still can play brilliant football and his willingness to get better coupled with that smile, I myself were expecting something from Ronaldinho. So what did we get…..? A guy who looked like he was walking down a beach, the same dude who played at the Olympics from game to game just didn’t want to run. What made it infuriating for me was some of his touches and movement suggested there still is something there or to give during the match, but Ronaldinho regressed from his week and a half ago improvement at Milan. My patience with Diego is slowly coming to an end chance after chance to play for Brazil to do what? fall over theoretically or go on hacking missions all over the pitch, another player I know who could be an asset to this side (some good through balls and sometimes a good push from midfield) but underperforms constantly and constantly does stupid things which aren’t needed. Luis Fabiano had a good game physically disrupting the Chilean defence and putting himself all over the pitch to fight for those all too regular long balls from defence. He should’ve been more cyclical in front of goal but the pitch was a shocker, but Brazil look to have a good striker who will get goals and make the difference, hopefully when Adriano and Fred get back to being brilliant there could be some competition going on here.

Let’s be straight here, Dunga’s Brazil were still not Brazil, the wrong players were picked like usual and Chile were a shadow of what Marcelo Bielsa has achieved with them. Dunga unfortunately could stay in charge a little longer thanks to this independence day miracle. In my opion his supression of Brazil idnepence in beautiful football is what is killing our game but I hope and pray his reign ends soon. (how many mircales can this guy have!) The Copa America miracle surviving the Olympics now this victory from know where don’t happen evryday? maybe we will have to endure another World Cup disaster to really see our true colours, who knows. Hopefully the CBF’s toughening up Policy on Brazil’s players could be ending and the main agenda could be football and bringing Brazil back to their best instead of drill sergent trying to dicipline them (Dont get me wrong Brazil’s players need discipline, need i remind you of Ronaldo!!!). Next match will be Bolivia on Wendsday, dont hold your breath for a miracle (them winning).