Re: FIFA World Cup 2026 :Canada/Mexico/United States: Discussion Thread
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Every time when I read about these comparisons, it is usually about the offensive players and I can understand that as it often is the most impressive position when you see them scoring or dribbling, but Brazil also had some amazing defensive players. Recently, they didn't have a very consistent defense line and also no combining elements between the defense and the offense. They often play as separate parts while they usually were known for controlling the game from the keeper to the striker with all the quality they have. It is still three years until the next World Cup, but it is not enough time to build an entire new team until then. But changes need to be done if their goal is to compete for the World Cup title.
Sometimes we as the fans are maybe too critical with the teams as well because we were used to some nations dominating soccer and now it becomes more even and smaller nations can compete on a higher level. Croatia is one of those teams that with a small population can beat the best teams anyway. losing against Croatia is not a shame and Brazil wasn't worse in the quarter final. But there is a certain absolutism when teams are judged for their performance. If a team like Brazil doesn't win the title, a lot of people tend to say that it is not the old and strong Brazil. But there are so many teams that could potentially win a tournament and many games end with close results or even with penalties. Croatia had to survive the round of 16 and the quarter final with penalties and now again against Spain in a different competition. The difference in quality and strength between the teams has become more narrow.
Every time when I read about these comparisons, it is usually about the offensive players and I can understand that as it often is the most impressive position when you see them scoring or dribbling, but Brazil also had some amazing defensive players. Recently, they didn't have a very consistent defense line and also no combining elements between the defense and the offense. They often play as separate parts while they usually were known for controlling the game from the keeper to the striker with all the quality they have. It is still three years until the next World Cup, but it is not enough time to build an entire new team until then. But changes need to be done if their goal is to compete for the World Cup title.
Sometimes we as the fans are maybe too critical with the teams as well because we were used to some nations dominating soccer and now it becomes more even and smaller nations can compete on a higher level. Croatia is one of those teams that with a small population can beat the best teams anyway. losing against Croatia is not a shame and Brazil wasn't worse in the quarter final. But there is a certain absolutism when teams are judged for their performance. If a team like Brazil doesn't win the title, a lot of people tend to say that it is not the old and strong Brazil. But there are so many teams that could potentially win a tournament and many games end with close results or even with penalties. Croatia had to survive the round of 16 and the quarter final with penalties and now again against Spain in a different competition. The difference in quality and strength between the teams has become more narrow.
Your comment reminded me of Rene Higuita, the goal keeper from Colombia, who was famous for doing acrobatic saves, the most common one called The Scorpion:
I don't think we see much of these crazy things these days.
Just like how the Brazilian playing style dead and it's not even useful in the world cup like they were before, I think there are not many coaches in the world who want to have a player like Rene Higuita in their teams take risks like that, we know the fans like these players but a teams needs to win the game having players like Rene Higuita will just make them take some risk they don't need to get.