Venezuela 0 Brazil 4: Never leave space against the world’s most deadly Counter attack

Brazil overcame the odds of recent performances and defeated the recent high rollers Venezuela to gain revenge for the shock defeat that occurred earlier in the year. Well it seems now that Venezuela are back to being a nominal force in South America after all their previous progress. On the other hand it is premature that all the problems Brazil have faced under the Dunga era have disappeared and Brazil is reclaiming their place as a premier football nation. Brazil were more improved than in previous performances yes this is true, the addition of Kaka has lifted Brazil after his large absence, and Adriano’s re-birth have given Brazil some further cutting edge. Robinho’s inspiration seems also to be driving Brazil forward and his improved direct approach on Sunday did give Brazil a very dynamic strike force. All this doesn’t mean Dopey Dunga has got the Selecao being the team we love after one decent game; all the same problems with his management were all there for us to see.

Venezuela offered Brazil too much space, opening up the pitch and not respecting the fact Brazil posses the individual players who can damage any team when giving a chance on the break. By pushing forward and allowing spaces the Selecao were easily able hit the awful defending at full power with Adriano’s strength, Kaka’s acceleration and Robinho’s trickery and pace leaving them desperately exposed when Brazil played. Brazil set up the match in a 4-3-1-2 style formation with Julio Cesar; Kleber, Juan, Lucio, Maicon; Gilberto Silva, Josue, Elano; Kaka; Robinho and Adriano. The tempo of the match was played with slow interchanging of passes in the middle of the pitch with the majority of pace used by both sides in the final third or down the flanks. Venezuela, as said before didn’t respect the quality of Brazil until too late, not closing down the main threats of the forward trio, or closing down the wide areas and pushing Brazil back to using the centre backs to pass the ball around. The ball was easily able to be distributed through the midfield channels mainly by the great passing of Elano all the way to Adriano and Robinho to hold up the ball and bring the team into the game. The first goal was scored by Kaka just after 12 minutes and this was a perfect example of how Brazil was able to isolate its weapons against an extremely uncoordinated back line. The goal was a beauty with kaka going down the inside right of the box and smashing the ball in the top corner. Robinho then further doubled the advantage with a cracking long shot from a large distance, something which Robinho isn’t famous for doing. Venezuela did have chances to get back into the game with the Brazilian centre backs looking slow to cover runs by Maldonado and Guerra, but Venezuela lacked a quality edge to break back into the match. Brazil further went on to cause Venezuela more damage by Adrinao’s unparallel strength in holding the ball up and creating openings on the counter attack. Elano was having a brilliant match and was doing defensive work and offensive work playmaking with passes to switch the play right to left and distributing effective passes to the forwards. His hard grafting and skill paid off as he and Kaka combined to enable Elano to cross to Adriano to score his long awaited goal back for Brazil. The second half was more of the same Music as Adraino had a chance to double his tally but his shot was saved. With the game so open at both ends due to open manner of football Venezuela managed to gain some very fruitful attacks on Julio Caesar but the Inter man provided a magnificent double stop to display his high credentials as a keeper. He then managed another save against a strike by Maldonado to ensure the rally by Venezuela would not affect his clean sheet. Robinho and Adriano combined a few times with Robinho missing an easy chance to make it 4. Kaka had another opportunity to flex his legs on took on the two centre backs accelerating straight passed but lacked a finish. Robinho then final buried the hatchet further by easily by passing the static Venezuelan defence from a long pass by Kleber at left back to score a simple one on one. Alex from Inter came on late in the game and showed a nice set of flicks and movement but the job was already secured by then.

Player Ratings

Julio Cesar 8.0 – The Inter Milan keeper was on such inspired form that he wasn’t going to give up his clean sheet without a fight. Made a phenomenal double save and always stepped up to holding the defence when Brazil centre backs were not concentrating. Superb Performance.

Maicon 6.5 – Didn’t dominate the right flank like he usually does, but was solid at maintaining defensive shape. Didn’t get up into attack as much is expected, and was sometimes out of position when Guerra got round him to get crosses in. Looked solid though throughout.

Lucio 5.5 – The captain wasn’t as sharp today as he usually has been and this could’ve been costly against a good team. Both Juan and him allowed Venezuela’s attackers to get behind them and nearly exploit Brazil. Wasn’t as close to stopping attackers and Julio Cesar had to be called into action more in the second half.

Juan 5.5 – Same as Lucio but maybe a little better at covering for the slow Kleber at left back. Came off at half time maybe to see how Thiago Silva performed or maybe was seen as the weak link at the back due to some rash passing.

Kleber 5.5 – The left back wasn’t spectacular or showed much to suggest he is the answer for this position. Sometimes slow to get to attack and defence and didn’t really support the forwards as much as a Brazilian full back should’ve. Just played a standard role at the back.

Gilberto Silva 5.0- The defensive midfielder was better than previous performances due to the nature of the team Brazil played. Dropped back to pass the ball to the fullbacks and supported to other midfielders. Should’ve tightened the midfield up and closed of the attacks by Venezuela, but increasingly Josué was having to do the work of two men as was Elano to cover for Maicon at times. Gilberto Silva is not the player that he once was but I doubt Dunga will drop someone whom he sees as the ethic of his team.

Josué 6.0 – Very hard working performance sticking and plucking away all over the pitch in order to cut up attacks, much more effective at covering than Gilberto and always kept going. I do think Brazil can get better players in this position (Felipe Melo, Denilson) but this was an encouraging performance.

Elano 8.5 – In my opinion my man of the match, he worked hard and stuck away at defensive and on attack created and passes the ball tremendously all over the pitch, something which Brazil lacks in the Volante Position. Playing deeper suits him and he must definitely start in Centre midfield as he proved it with the gutsy, elegant playmaking performance.

Kaka 7.5 – Was flawless in attacking the defence by running at them using his acceleration. Scored a master goal aided by poor positioning by the defence and keeper. Seems to be hitting some form then will come his dominance in using those cutting passes and off the ball runs with combinations which make him such a special player.
Robinho 8.0 – Looks like his move to Manchester City has given back his spark to play. In parts of the match brilliant uses of kill and pace to gain better positioning allowed him to have so many chances. His ever present inspiration for Brazil is the main driving force of Dunga’s Brazil. His first goal was spectacular and maybe a sign of greatness to come.

Adriano 7.5 – Adriano is about 70-75% fully back that last bit of blistering pace, strength and skill a soon to rerun and then he can demolish his way back to the top. This match he was affective in working hard holding the ball and bringing others into the game. His goal will do wonders to his confidence and his overall play was too much for Venezuela.

Subs

Thiago Silva 6.0 – came on to sure up the back line and be clinical in passing. He sured up the back line and wasn’t really tested, his lack of playing time with Lucio caused for Brazil to nearly concede in the second half.

Alex 6.5 – Came on at the end of a dead match and provided some spark with quick passing and irresistible skill a duel attacking midfield pairing with Kaka could be very tasty between these two. Need to see more him.

Mancini N/A – Came on late didn’t really have time influence the game accept one unsuccessful threw ball.

Venezuela Allowed Dunga and his Brazil team to pick up and easy three points by not doing the things they did in the first match in whom they beat a very poor Brazil side, which was covering the midfield and hitting Brazil on the break. Brazil were still weak in getting any team play going when not playing counter attack football, the individual quality got them the result without really needing for them to play team football. The use of Elano was a very fresh ingredient to more of what Brazil needs, creative energetic Midfielders who can sift the ball from defence to attack. It looks like the Dopey Gaucho could’ve saved his skin for tenure of matches but an upset against Colombia can also be another nice back into his managerial career with the Selecao. Adriano will be out of that game so Brazil will lose that fulcrum up front, that lead to a different type of match albeit if the diamond midfield is kept to be used.

Highlights: Venezuela 0 Brazil 4

The preparation to this match was hampered by dirty trick employed by the Venezuelans to try and stop Brazil from getting an ideal preparation for the match. In future guys let Dunga coach the team properly because that normally means they are going to play horribly instead of being pissed by local people trying to poison them and keep them awake all night. I am amazed with a Night club being so close to the Brazil team hotel that Adriano didn’t get his freak on with some ladies which is known to have occurred in his past; hmm maybe the emperor has learned his lesson. Maybe Dunga is blowing this entire fiasco way out of proportion because it really is the CBF’s fault for using a hotel so close to a night club and commercial district. Hey plus the locals coffee must be good if they made Robinho kick the ball from that far and that powerfully, just a thought.

Full Colombia match report should by the weekend, and I doubt I am going to watch the match live as over here in the UK that will be played at about 2 PM. Tchau everybody enjoy the match