I also kind of agree with you on Ronaldo, but he was one of the greatest I have seen when he was in his prime and feel nostalgic. I read that he is trying to get fitter at Milan and let’s see how he does for them this season. AC Milan seems to have good program for players to get fit and Ronaldo is on thyroid medication (do not know if it is authentic report). Plus he will get a chance to link up with Kaka there and develop their combination.

I wish Alves came to Chelsea instead of Belleti. It would have been good for Alves to play there. His situation at Sevilla is not that good now and I hope it does not affect him too much. Do you know why Mancini (Roma) is not getting a trial?

Cheers,

Sourav

In my mind, Dunga steps down after Euro 2008 for Scolari to take over. This is my plan… I hope that come true :^)#

I’d like to see more of Lucas and Alexandre Pato in the main team. After 2006 I would not give Ronaldo or Adriano any more chances. Ronaldo was a real phenomenon, but I believe his time is over in the main team.

Haven’t written anything in this forum since last World Cup, but I have been trying to follow Dunga’s Brazil. I have to admit I am getting really pissed off at Vagner Love as striker!!
He works hard but is a poor finisher with poor positional sense. How can he keep his spot?
I cannot understand why Brasilians are not forcing Dunga to drop Love through public pressure. Afonso Alves is not good enough either, though may be a slightly better finisher than Love. Please get rid off both of them. Go on strike or something !!!! Since Dunga is so enamoured with Love, may be he make him a midfield ball stealer.
Again there is excess of players like Kaka, Ronaldinho, Robinho, Diego who all sit behind a number 9, but no true number 9. Is Ronaldo reading this? How is Pato (I only saw a few of the junior WC games)?

My team for the qualifiers:

JC*>Doni

Maicon/Alves*(Cicinho?)

Gilberto(Kleber)….we need a better one here though for 2010, Maxwell?

Lucio*, Juan*, (Alex, Luisao or Naldo)

Gilberto Silva, Elano, Josue? Baptista? (???? Lucas?, who else? this is a big question mark area for me and I am not too fond of Fernando or Mineiro from what I see. But Dunga’s style of play for this position is fine).

Kaka* (Diego)

Ronaldinho*, Robinho

[* assured selection in XI]

If a true number 9 comes through (a fit Ronaldo or active Adriano….it may be Kaka/Ronaldinho or Ronaldinho/Robinho plus hopefully Ronaldo).

Because of Dunga’s dynamic, pressuring at mid-field style Vagner Love is doing the right thing of tracking back to mid-field (thus the first goal against Argentina in Copa) but is a terrible striker. Robinho tracks back and brings ball up but is not the best finisher either (except some cool goals in Copa and then he disappeared in the final. Plus he still dribbles a bit more than I like and plays at player’s graveyard Real Madrid). Ronaldinho obviously does not defend well. Overall, I like Dunga’s fast, pressuring the ball style at mid-field, kind of like Liverpool style that denied Riquelme any space or time, and I like the creativity that will be provided by Kaka and Ronaldinho on top of the defensive screen. I am concerned about a good striker. May be Robinho plays Loves role and Ronaldinho can be the number 9. They can be free to rotate position too and sometimes Julio Baptista can come up in support. They are all capable but are they consistent?

I was very happy at the Copa final outcome, but overall tournament was not good. The final clicked with luck, top-play and the fact that Argentina had to win and Brazil had to spoil and shock. But having Kaka and Ronaldinho to add to the Dunga-style of play will be great. But Dunga appears to be a little too strong headed with his style and definitely his selections (I liked his tough football even if it was not beautiful as it was practical for Brasil). Hope he matures……..or else will it be Scolari ?