Mano Menezes' and his first Brazil test

Mano Menezes, simply known as "Mano", has had a meteoric career rise.  Starting off his coaching career in Rio Grande do Sul's XV de Novembro, he then went on to coach Gaucho powerhouse Gremio.  His coming of age was when he decided to come to the big-time, to where the best football in Brazil is played: the state of Sao Paulo.  Coaching Corinthians, Mano went on to win 3 important titles before being chosen to lead the world's most successful national team.


Mano's CV:

 Grêmio

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série B: 2005
• Campeonato Gaúcho: 2006, 2007

 Corinthians

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série B: 2008
• Campeonato Paulista: 2009
• Copa do Brasil: 2009

Apparently, Mano was only CBF's 3rd choice for the position.  Luis Felipe Scolari was 1st, and Muricy Ramalho 2nd.    Both coaches work in Brazil and have recently signed with their clubs (Palmeiras and Fluminense, respectively) and, for one reason or another, decided not to accept CBF's invitation at this stage.  Tough luck for them.

Brazil's first test after the World Cup will see a completely different side when compared to the losing team in South Africa.  Mano has been handed the mission to renew and refresh the Brazilian squad.  He has been given the autonomy to test out several players in the next few months until he is able to come up with a strong squad.  Names like Neymar and Ganso have finally appeared on the roster.  

Let it be clear that this doesn't mean that household names present in South Africa are excluded permanently from the brazilian squad.  But they are being placed "in the freezer" for now while Mano tries to reformulate Brazil and give it a younger, fresher look.

Brazil will play the USA in a game that means a lot for the americans, and jack s*** for the brazilians.  If Brazil loses, the americans will celebrate and hail their claim to fame.  Honestly, Brazil sees this game as the beginning of a long journey to re-make a national team, nothing more.  And US$2 million in the bank, thanks very much.

Mano's list and Brazil's future:

GKs: Jefferson (Botafogo); Renan (Avaí); Victor (Grêmio)Right fullbacks: Daniel Alves (Barcelona) Rafael (Manchester United)


Defenders: David Luiz (Benfica) Henrique (Racing Santander), Réver (Atlético-MG) Thiago Silva (Milan)Left fullbacks: Marcelo (Real Madrid); André Santos (Fenerbahce)


Defensive midfielders: Jucilei (Corinthians); Lucas (Liverpool); Ramires (Benfica); Sandro (Internacional)


Attacking midfielders: Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos); Ederson (Lyon); Hernanes (São Paulo) 


Strikers: Neymar (Santos); Diego Tardelli (Atlético-MG); Pato (Milan); Carlos Eduardo (Hoffenheim); André (Santos) Robinho (Santos)

Will Santos maintain its form?

Santos is possibly Brazil's most exciting team to date in 2010.  Not only did the beachside club win the Paulista by playing one of the most attractive and offensive football the country (or world, for that matter) has seen for a long time, the club has just clinched another important trophy: the Copa do Brasil.


The Copa do Brasil is a knockout-only championship that includes both top sides and wildcard underdogs.  Clubs are strongly motivated to play the Cup as, although less prestigious than winning the Brasileirao, it grants its champion with a Libertadores spot in the subsequent year.


Santos beat out Vitoria in the finals - and although they lost the 2nd leg, Robinho and company made sure their side didn't go down as the "say a lot, do little" of football.  The boys from Santos have been involved in a series of controversial issues and displays of arrogance, and there are many who are fed up with the club's players.  Like it or not, they have won 2 trophies this year already, and no other club in  Brazil can boast about that at this stage.

The question is whether Santos can maintain its top form for the remainder of the year.  Coach Dorival Santos has already stated that they are shooting for the triple-crown.  Without the likes of Robinho (to return to warm and fuzzy Manchester - he's surely excited about that...) and Andre, their offensive power is shaken.  The real question is whether or not the club will withstand the financial strength of european clubs when they come after Neymar and Ganso.  Time will tell.


For now, the goals for the 2nd leg of the final when Santos clinched the title:

So what happened?

Now that one of the worst World Cups ever is over, some words must be said about Brazil's failure and early exit from the tournament.  What happened?

We must first dismiss the ridiculous rumors that the World Cup is pure business, and that as a result the winners are decided in advance.  France in 1998, Brazil in 2002, Italy in 2006.  Apparently, many journalists defend that FIFA has a rotational system to allow for interest for the event (and consequently for the sport) be maintained throughout the years.  Pure bullshit.  Brazil are out because they played puny, pathetic and "unbrazilian" football. And have been doing so for the past 4 years under Dunga.

Let's backtrack a little.  Brazil were looking good against Chile, a team that was called South America's surprise.  Many in the press thought Chile stood a real chance against Brazil, but the truth is they never did.  Chile is a weak, irresponsible and naive to the extreme team.  Brazilians are sick and tired of thrashing Chile in Brazil, in Chile, or anywhere else in the world for that matter.  So the 3x0 win was nothing short of expected.

Then came the Netherlands.  A much stronger side - more disciplined, better defense - and most of all - tradition.  The Netherlands (now that Spain has finally won something the world actuallt cares about) is probably now the only major footballing nation on a national team level to never have won the World Cup.  Brazil knocked out the oranges in 1994 and 1998, so we expected that to happen again.  Brazil kicked some dutch ass in the first half, and could easily have scored 3,4 goals, and put them out of their misery.  But Brazil didn't.  Why?

One simple word: Dunga.  Faithful to a pragmatic and defense-centered style of football, he more likely than not "relaxed" the team during his half-time talk in the locker room.  Told the boys "we got this in the bag, pass the ball, let them run after us, etc."  Brazil's second half was a joke.

Not only that, but what in theory was Brazil's strong point (solid defense) was exactly what shot the team in the foot.  A ridiculous blunder between Julio Cesar and Felipe Melo, followed by a mental breakdown sponsored by Juan, meant Brazil was down 2x1.  The team hadn't been exposed to a stressful situation in South Africa yet, and it was time to show what they were made of.  And what were they made of?  Better not say...

Then we have the Felipe Melo incident.  Everyone warned Dunga about Melo - the press, former coaches, the public.  Melo is a mentally and technically challenged player.  A player "invented" by Dunga, who should never have even been given a chance to play for Brazil.  His brief career in Brazil and Italy is ridden with nasty fouls, less than loyal challenges, and moments of loss of control.  And what happened?  He was sent off exactly when he couldn't have been sent off.

Dunga didn't have any options to turn the game around.  A ridiculously inefficient and burocratic Kaka didn't do the job.  A pathetic and uninterested Robinho.  Luis Fabiano being kicked left and right.  The list goes on...

To finish off on a positive note, lessons were learned.  Dunga's military and authoritarian style didn't pay off.  Forcing Brazil against its nature of attacking football didn't either.

Bring 2014 on.

At last, we're back in the game

Brazil and Football was out of action for a couple of weeks, apologies.  Why?  Brazil's ridiculous and depressing World Cup campaign got the best of me.  Now that that's over, as well as the Brasileirao being back in full swing, there's plenty of action to report on.

Hit it.

Brazil 3x1

In Brazil's second match in South Africa, the five-time World champion beat the Ivory Coast by 3x1, with 2 goals from Luis Fabiano, who finally put an end to the hiatus he was living with the national team.  Elano confirmed his good form and scored the 3rd goal.  Drogba scored for the Ivory Coast while the brazilian defense slept towards the end of the match, as it did in the game against North Korea.

Luis Fabiano benefited from an inspired Kaka pass to blast a high shot for Brazil's 1st; in the 2nd, using his hand once and arm another time, he scored a fantastic goal by lobbing a defender and blasting the dodgy Jabulani into the net.  Elano scored the 3rd after another inspired Kaka moment.

Kaka, who was unfairly red carded (everyone saw he didn't do anything), isn't too concerned with missing out against Portugal, given Brazil is already through to the Round of 16.  The midfielder looks forward to some time in the gym for muscular work this week.

Again, everyone saw the game, but a few noteworthy points:

• Brazil's defense is the best in the World Cup.  Inter Milan has done Brazil a huge favor by playing Julio Cesar, Maicon and Lucio together.  Lucio is a monster, he hasn't lost one 1x1 in this World Cup yet.
• Kaka is slowly but surely finding his game once again.  His sending off was a joke.
• Luis Fabiano showed his business card to the many who asked what he was doing in Dunga's team

• Robinho hasn't scored, but has been a very good team player, passing the ball with efficiency time and time again
• Felipe Melo and Gilberto Silva are giving extra security to the back four, and have been real warriors to date.  They allow Maicon and Lucio's occasional attacking adventures to take place by falling back when that happens

The highlights and goals below.  Excuse the bad quality, but it's been a nightmare to find a decent source.  Looks like FIFA, Globo and whoever are limiting distribution, dumb bastards.  You can't stop file sharing.

The World Cup has begun: Brazil 2x1

Finally, the World Cup has begun.  Brazil confirmed it's status as favorites and beat North Korea by 2x1 in a game that many expected to be easier for the brazilians.  Maicon and Elano scored for the brazilians and ensured a healthy 2 point advantage over Portugal and the Ivory Coast in Group G.

 

Brazil clearly dominated the game throughout and saw North Korea have a very limited number of chances, one of which resulted in a brilliant goal from a striker whose name I have no idea.

Everyone saw the match so there's no point in a recap.  But some noteworthy points:

• Robinho is regaining his top form once again.  Having left dull Manchester, Robinho found a new happiness in the game playing for Santos.  This is clear.
• Elano and Robinho did some serious damage together in Santos, let's hope for more of the same in Brazil
• Luis Fabiano - did he play?  Time to get your act together my friend
• Brazil has the best defensive system of the World Cup.  Or does that belong to Switzerland?
• Dunga's dodgy fashion sense is laughable

Brazil now play the Ivory Coast this Sunday - another win will clinch a spot in the Round of 16.

The goals:

Brazil 5x1

Brazil took on Tanzania as their last "friendly" before the big time.  An obviously piece of cake, with Brazil thrashing the africans by 5x1.  Goals from Robinho (2), Kaka, and Ramires (2).  What is unbelievable is how a team like Brazil can concede a goal to an amateur team, but that's something for Dunga to sort out.

 

The goals:

Brasileirão - matchday 6

Last night saw the next to last matchday before the Brasileirão takes a break for the World Cup in South Africa.  Gremio, Corinthians and Guarani added 3 points to their tally.  The result?  Corinthians still lead, deservedly so being the best team in the competition thus far.

Thursday, June 3rd

• Grêmio

  2X1

  Atlético-MG

  21h00
  Olímpico

Corinthians

2X0

Internacional

21h00
Pacaembu

Vasco

0X1

Guarani

21h00
São Januário

And the dynamic standings:

			Total								Form	H2H
#		Team	MP	W	D	L	F	A	D	P	Last 5 matches
1		Corinthians	6	5	1	0	13	6	+7	16	WWDWW
2		Ceará	6	4	2	0	6	1	+5	14	WWDWD
3		Fluminense	6	4	0	2	8	5	+3	12	WWWLW
4		Flamengo	6	2	3	1	8	6	+2	9	WDLWD
5		Santos	6	2	3	1	11	10	+1	9	DLWWD
6		Cruzeiro	6	2	3	1	7	6	+1	9	DLWDD
7		Guarani	6	2	3	1	7	7	+0	9	WDLDD
8		Botafogo	6	2	2	2	11	9	+2	8	LDLWW
9		Avaí	6	2	2	2	10	8	+2	8	LDLWD
10		Grêmio	6	2	2	2	9	8	+1	8	WDWLL
11		São Paulo	6	2	2	2	6	5	+1	8	LDWWL
12		Palmeiras	6	2	2	2	5	4	+1	8	LDLWD
13		Grêmio Prudente	6	2	2	2	9	11	-2	8	WDDLW
14		Goiás	6	2	1	3	7	9	-2	7	WWDLL
15		Atlético Paranaense	6	2	1	3	10	14	-4	7	WLWLD
16		Internacional	6	2	0	4	10	12	-2	6	LWLLW
17		Atlético Mineiro	6	2	0	4	10	15	-5	6	LLLWL
18		Vitória	6	1	2	3	6	8	-2	5	LDWLD
19		Vasco da Gama	6	1	2	3	5	8	-3	5	LDWLD
20		Atlético Goianiense	6	0	1	5	3	9	-6	1	LLLLL