Comments on: Brazil 3-0 Chile: Dunga prevails over Bielsa in the tactical contest of the tournament

By: Emilio

Emilio — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 13:13:19 +0000

Leaving physical issues aside, the fact is that a team that is constantly putting so many players on offensive roles many times it ends up denying those players the space they need and thus makes it easier for the defense. Finally, the lack of space generally forces his team to end up the play with a cross.

At least, that was frequent in Bielsa’s Argentina, who did not suffer against most South American sides, who have defensive frailties and/or lack height in their defense, but against European sides with tall central defenders with good heading skills, it was a recipe for disaster.

By: Gareth Makelele Barry

Gareth Makelele Barry — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:41:26 +0000

We didn’t even see the usual short goal kicks from Chile. Without Medel and Ponce and with them having inferior defensive players replacing them, who possess massively inferior passing ability, Chile were more or less condemned to a heavy defeat if they were going to show any ambition.

By: Elis

Elis — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:56:42 +0000

Ivory Coast?

By: Elis

Elis — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:23:46 +0000

It may have something to do with the general lack of height and aerial treath in the Chile team. I think all of Chile’s wide players realised that none of their forwards stood a chance against Lucio and Juan in the air.

By: ormishen

ormishen — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 23:53:44 +0000

1st time poster, be kind…

I’ve heard Brazil being compared to Inter, and they do have a couple of Inter players so the comparison isn’t totally off. However, I feel that it more resembles Mourinho’s Chelsea team of 05/06 (correct me if I’m wrong).

The formation used by Mourinho then is the exact same one but mirrored. Just replace Fabiano with Drogba, Robinho with Robben, Kaka with Lampard, Alves with Joe Cole, Gilberto with Makelele and Ramires with Essien.

Although, to be fair, this is very much due to Alves coming into the team because of injury and if Dunga fielded his preferred players it would be slightly different and probably more defensive.

I don’t know if Dunga will stay with this type of diamond against Holland, but it does enable the team to play a kind of 4-4-2 and still not be overrun in midfield against a team playing 4-5-1/4-3-3 (I believe it should work well against the Dutch), as happened to England against Germany. Of course you need very good fullbacks to be able to do this. But when you’re Brazil that’s not really a problem now is it.

Chelsea had Robben on the right and Joe Cole playing on the left, but drifting inwards. This opened up space which was exploited by Ashley Cole. With Brazil’s setup being the same but mirrored this creates space for Maicon instead, which obviously is intentional.