South American football

[Tooj]

Hotchee dojie.

 

[Disco]

Well yeah but you seem mainly weak in that position, you have good players most other positions

 

Wtih Fred and Diego Costa I'd say we have probably one of the strongest tbf. A lot depends on Diego Costa though...

 

If you get Costa sure, I'm still not sure about Fred but maybe it;s just the name 

 

It's weird, will score goals if given chances and Brazil will create but aside from that not good enough and probably wouldn't get in any other contenders team.

 

Worth a cheeky bet for World cup winner scorer if an available bet?

 

Harsh, I find him an excellent number 9 and without injuries he'd probably have made a name for himself in Europe. He's one of the best finishers around in the world and is an excellent tactical striker as well as leader on the field.

 

Aye not many teams will have more than two quality CFs if can Brazil can take Fred, Costa and one other that will put them in a strong position considering how much strength in depth they have else as well.

 

Out of the contenders Argentina will probably be the only ones who have more than two.

 

 

Well yeah but you seem mainly weak in that position, you have good players most other positions

 

Wtih Fred and Diego Costa I'd say we have probably one of the strongest tbf. A lot depends on Diego Costa though...

 

Could arguably the difference between you winning the WC or not. Fred is obviously a good finisher but when teams are 100% on in the WC now he's proved himself in the Confed he may well be marked out of the game.

 

(Can't wait 'til the World Cup )

 

Marked out of the game? He's a bit too intelligent for that. A player like Fred doesn't get marked out of the game, and I don't see Diego Costa as the difference. The difference will be Neymar and David Luiz. If David Luiz head isn't in the game, he'll fuck us over in one game in the late rounds which might cost us, and without Neymar at his best players like Hulk and Fred will be quiet.

 

Probably not as clear as it could be but if Fred doesn't score aside from occupying a man he isn't contributing as much as other top #9s from what I've seen. Costa offers more of a link up role etc.

[Flip]

Fair enough, not comparing quality but Fred does far more in terms of general play than a player like Higuain who strolls around providing only movement and goal. Fred can move well, he's great at linkup play and playing with his back to the goal. He's an athletic player, with that said it's obviously no Ronaldo and the quality we want, but he showed in the Confed and has in the Brazilian league that he can be trusted upon on big occasions. Scolario always talks about his leadership and how important he is o the group and the young player. He, Thiago Silva, Julio Cesar and Dani Alves are apparently excellent leaders in the group and always helping the younger ones.

 

We have to remember that our problem won't be scoring or defending, it will be pressure. Brazil has an excellent young generation, but pressure in front of the home crowd will be enormous.

 

In the end if the draws permit it, I'm pretty sure bar some 2010 stuff, that Germany, Argentina, Spain and Brazil should be playing the semifinals come July 2014.

[Flip]

Just saw now that five players have been called up for Brazils next friendlies.

 

Dani Alves, Hulk, Lucas Leiva, Diego Costa and first time Marquinhos from PSG. Will be interesting to see Diego Costa's choice now.

 

Marquinho man, this kids career has gone like a rocket launcher ffs. Played six games for Corinthians was then bought by Roma last year for a decent fee, one season in Serie A and he moved to PSG for like a bazilion euros and now he's been called up and might play in a World Cup at home...

 

Born 1994 as well 

[Neil]

Latest column from Vickery. Interesting read as always, would be interested to see if Felipao thinks the comments are fair.

 

Flamengo, Botafogo and the fickle nature of Brazilian football fans

 

Around the turn of the century Rio giants Flamengo had a player called Maurinho, a central midfielder who they were attempting to convert into a right back.

 

The fans hated him. In every game he was on the end of some rough treatment from the terraces.

 

Then, one afternoon, the Flamengo supporters started calling for him to be included in the Brazil squad. Had they suddenly had a massive collective change of mind? They soon reminded everyone of the date - it was 1 April.

 

I recall being at the Maracana stadium for one match where the fans unfurled a giant banner, on which was written 'Fora Maurinho' - Maurinho out.

Then he scored with an excellent volley. And so the fans quickly covered up the part of the banner which contained the word 'fora,' and danced in front of his name as if the goal had been the result of their encouragement.

 

These memories came flooding back a couple of weeks ago when I was at the Maracana for another Flamengo match. 'Jaime, we are with you,' proclaimed a banner behind one of the goals - a reference to the club's new coach.

 

Steeped in Flamengo, Jaime de Almeida is the son of a former club great, as a player and also as a coach, in the 1940s and 50s.

 

The son also played for Flamengo as a centre-back in the 70s, and has been on the coaching staff for the last few years, stepping up to the top job last month following the sudden resignation of former Brazil boss Mano Menezes.

 

It is only natural, then, that the supporters feel a certain affinity with him.

 

But with six minutes to go, the score tied at 1-1, and visitors Bahia dominating, Jaime de Almeida decided to take off Elias, the club's star player.

Replacing him was Val, a workmanlike midfielder who has yet to find a place in the fans' affections.

 

The stadium erupted. The Maracana became one giant boo as the crowd gave voice to their displeasure. Instinctively I looked over to the banner. A group of fans had started to take it down. They were with Jaime no longer.

 

Within a minute, however, Flamengo launched a break and scored the winning goal. Another glance at the area behind the other goal revealed that the operation to remove the banner had been aborted. Now they were striving to put it back up again.

 

The fans were back with Jaime.

 

Nearly two weeks later they are with him all the more - though, of course, that may only last until the next controversial substitution.

 

He is edging the club towards safety in the home straight of a league campaign where half the clubs still have cause to worry about relegation.

 

And he has qualified the team for the semi-finals of the Brazilian Cup - in emphatic manner, against one of the club's local rivals.

 

In last week's second leg of the quarter-final, with scores level after the first game, Flamengo crushed Botafogo 4-0.

 

One of the abiding memories of the game comes not from the pitch but from the stands. Come the final whistle the Botafogo end was all but empty, their fans slipping away early into the night in a bid to escape the humiliation. Flamengo supporters loved it, whipping out their mobile phones to take photos of the deserted seats.

 

So Botafogo are out of the cup. But they still have plenty to play for in the league.

 

This could be a historic year for the club; they are on course to qualify for the Copa Libertadores, South America's equivalent of the Champions League, for the first time in almost 20 years.

 

The players were reminded of this during Saturday's home game against Atletico Mineiro. There was a banner in the stands - 'qualifying for the Libertadores is an obligation.' Turning up to help them do it clearly was not. The crowd was just 6,472.

 

Admittedly, this is near the end of the month, when money can be tight, and ticket prices are probably too expensive. But even so this was a dismal attendance - though sadly predictable.

 

Although this was an important game against attractive opponents (current champions of the continent, no less), the short-term mentality rules.

 

Objectively, this looks like being a wonderful moment to be a Botafogo supporter; the presence of Clarence Seedorf has had a galvanising effect, and after some barren years the club is starting to develop some interesting young talent.

 

Teenage left-footed centre-back Doria looks on his way to great things, and midfielder Gabriel is also one to watch. But over the last month the team has shown signs of running out of gas, and the thrashing by Flamengo was a humiliation too far for many of the fans.

 

When the team most needed their support, they stayed away.

 

These little anecdotes of Rio football may be extreme examples. But they serve to highlight a central point, worth stressing as the game in its organised form celebrates its 150th birthday.

 

Football is a universal language which is spoken with different accents. And your approach to the game reveals much about your identity. This applies not just to how you play, to how much emphasis is placed on strength, or on skill. It also applies to how you support your team.

 

Brazil, for example, is a country of low self-esteem. Perhaps this will be transformed by economic progress, but it will not happen overnight. Football brings this trait to the surface.

 

In order to avoid humiliation (a powerful concept in Brazilian society) fans give themselves a get out - if the team is losing, they say, it is not my representative. It might be my club, but it is not my team.

 

Some of these issues will be played out in front of the global gaze during next year's World Cup. The host's games will be played in an extraordinary atmosphere, and the crowd will be 100% behind the team - as long as they keep winning.

[LooneyToonArmy]

Diego Costa opts for Spain over Brazil

 

(AFP) – 6 minutes ago

 

Madrid — Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has confirmed his intention to play for Spain rather than Brazil, the country of his birth, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed on Tuesday.

 

In a statement the RFEF said that the player has stated "his desire to be at the disposition of the Spanish national team manager Vicente del Bosque" in a signed letter addressed to Julio Cesar Avelleda, secretary general of the Brazilian Football Confederation.

 

"Therefore, Diego Costa can play with Spain in the upcoming games in November, if he is selected by the national team manager," the statement adds.

[Flip]

Decent article. I think football is a fickle game no matter where. Look at this forum as an example, 7-8 months ago half this forum probably thought Pardew was the right man for the job, now there's the odd few out there who still thinks it. I think in Brazil we might be bit too extreme though as it works across all areas, not only fans, but also club owners and management. Although this also stems from the fact that in Brazil we have millions of good footballers. So if an average player isn't performing, why not give another average player a chance, it's basically a luxury which ends up forcing hands and decisions.

 

Also I don't agree with the part about attendance. How are people who can't afford to put food on their table be able to afford the prices being set for tickets nowadays. It's a robbery for all, no matter how much money you have or do not have. To set prices at £10 is too steep for most footballing fans in Brazil and especially for people who don't even have a proper roof to put over their head.

 

 

On another note,

 

Diego Costa has officially chosen to represent Spain. Worst part is that he thrives on being booed so he'll have an excellent World Cup.

 

[Flip]

Well that was a giggs from me...

[ponsaelius]

Costa playing for Spain is just weird. Can't understand the mentality of a player choosing a different country when your homeland is trying to call you up.

[Flip]

Costa playing for Spain is just weird. Can't understand the mentality of a player choosing a different country when your homeland is trying to call you up.

 

I'd love if FIFA blocked it and he didn't get a place in the World Cup.

 

There are mercenaries, and then there are these types. Changing nationality...

[Flip]

Jo pisses all over him anyways. Even my grandma could score in the La Liga.

[Disco]

Jo pisses all over him anyways. Even my grandma could score in the La Liga.

 

Note: This isn't an American trash talk thread.

[Segun Oluwaniyi]

Costa playing for Spain is just weird. Can't understand the mentality of a player choosing a different country when your homeland is trying to call you up.

Does he have something against the Brazilian authorities? You would think he was raised with dreams of playing in yellow, green, and blue.

[Flip]

His reasons are legitimate, it's just weird though. For a Brazilian to say NO to play a World Cup in the Brazilian shirt in Brazil. That's the dreams of every son born in Brazil.

[Flip]

CBF going a bit far possibly

 

CBF are basically sending FIFA some well explained letters saying that if friendlies don't count as officials games then Italy should probably be a top seed in the WC and not Switzerland (since they only got the top seed because they beat Brazil in a friendly). They're also going to court to ask to strip Diego Costa of his Brazilians citizenship.

 

All they want now is to basically either block him from playing for Spain or stripping him of his rights as a Brazilian citizen.

[triggs]

Why don't Brazil just give these guys competitive caps sooner. They've lost Deco, Pepe and Costa in the last 10 years or so

[Disco]

Why don't Brazil just give these guys competitive caps sooner. They've lost Deco, Pepe and Costa in the last 10 years or so

 

Haven't been able to with Costa. He was shit last time they would've been able too back in 2011.

[Flip]

Why don't Brazil just give these guys competitive caps sooner. They've lost Deco, Pepe and Costa in the last 10 years or so

 

What? How does this even make sense? Deco wasn't good enough to be called up in the beginning and chose Portugal. Pepe the same and the same goes for Costa. It's not like Spain wanted to call him up before Brazil wanted.

[triggs]

Why don't Brazil just give these guys competitive caps sooner. They've lost Deco, Pepe and Costa in the last 10 years or so

 

Haven't been able to with Costa. He was s*** last time they would've been able too back in 2011.

Confederations Cup?

[triggs]

Why don't Brazil just give these guys competitive caps sooner. They've lost Deco, Pepe and Costa in the last 10 years or so

 

What? How does this even make sense? Deco wasn't good enough to be called up in the beginning and chose Portugal. Pepe the same and the same goes for Costa. It's not like Spain wanted to call him up before Brazil wanted.

Were Deco and Pepe really not good enough to play u21 for Brazil? In those days that would've been enough to stop them from playing for other countries

[Flip]

Why don't Brazil just give these guys competitive caps sooner. They've lost Deco, Pepe and Costa in the last 10 years or so

 

Haven't been able to with Costa. He was s*** last time they would've been able too back in 2011.

Confederations Cup?

 

He scored 10 goals in the La Liga and hasn't relly blossomed until now. He didn't perform when given a chance either back in March.

 

Why don't Brazil just give these guys competitive caps sooner. They've lost Deco, Pepe and Costa in the last 10 years or so

 

What? How does this even make sense? Deco wasn't good enough to be called up in the beginning and chose Portugal. Pepe the same and the same goes for Costa. It's not like Spain wanted to call him up before Brazil wanted.

Were Deco and Pepe really not good enough to play u21 for Brazil? In those days that would've been enough to stop them from playing for other countries

 

Yes they weren't, Deco left Brazil as an above average midfielder and Pepe never actually played professional football in Brazil. The difference with this is that these two weren't called up to the Brazilian national team, Costa rejected the yellow shirt.

[Disco]

Why don't Brazil just give these guys competitive caps sooner. They've lost Deco, Pepe and Costa in the last 10 years or so

 

Haven't been able to with Costa. He was s*** last time they would've been able too back in 2011.

Confederations Cup?

 

Brainfart, totally forgot.

[LooneyToonArmy]

fking hell....there was the ref who got decapitated over there also ...just a few months back, now this

 

Brazilian footballer's head left on doorstep

 

 

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1599642?&cc=4716

 

A former Brazilian footballer was killed and his decapitated head delivered to his widow by suspected drug traffickers in Rio de Janeiro on Monday night.

 

Brazilian police have been clamping down across Brazil.

Joao Rodrigo Silva Santo, 35, who played for Bangu, Olimpia, Nacional and Swedish club Oster during his career, was kidnapped after leaving the local food store he owned in the district of Realengo.

 

The next morning, his wife, an officer with Rio's Police Pacification Units (UPPS), found his backpack containing his severed head outside their house, with G1 Globo website reporting his eyes and tongue had been cut out.

 

"He was a good family man. He lived for football and played until recently," Bruno Santos, a friend of the victim told the site. "He had no enemies."

 

The UPPS has been cracking down on Rio’s drug gangs ahead of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics. Earlier this month, over 1,000 police stormed some of Rio’s poorest favelas in a bid to regain control back from the gangs.

[Flip]

Robinho and Willian are the surprise inclusions in this squad to play friendlies against Honduras and Chile.

 

Pato and Lucas left out. Think Lucas might have lost his place in the team for the World Cup, hasn't performed at all whenever he's gotten a chance and is on the bench for PSG.

 

Will be interesting to see what function Robinho will have in the squad. I think he's more there as a leadership rather than for quality, as he gets along extremely well with the players. Marquinhos was also called up and will be interesting to see if he can keep Dede and Rever out of the team.

 

 

[Flip]

Auro. Rightback for Brazil u-17. Remember this name. Only player that looks certain for a bright future from this squad. Some good players there but he looks absolute class at this age already. Seems so mature in his playing style and comfortable with the ball a la Marcelo.