Opinion – Tostão: Technicians in Brazil are delirious about their tactical knowledge

After several years, I returned to Mineirão this Sunday (22), at 11 am, to watch, alongside my children, grandchildren, son-in-law, daughter-in-law and friends, Cruzeiro’s victory over Sampaio Corrêa, in Série B. of people so dear and for seeing up close the beautiful party of the fans, with almost 60 thousand people. There was still time to return, eat a pizza and watch the game between Corinthians and São Paulo.

Cruzeiro, well managed by Uruguayan coach Paulo Pezzolano, plays simple, safe, vibrant football, as if each match were the last. Most of the offensive plays are from the sides, at speed, especially from the right, with crosses between the goalkeeper and the defenders or behind, in the entrance or a little inside the area, for the midfielders who arrive free to finish, since defenders and forwards run towards the goal.

In the stadium, there is a broader view of the set and the positioning of the players, although the images on television are now very open, to see the collective game. On the other hand, I missed the information, opinions and details of repeated images.

I noticed what I already observe in Serie A and in most Brazilian teams, an excessive concern to play an intense, fast game, which is good. However, this intensity is sometimes confused with haste and haste, which generates many pass errors. Midfielders aren’t just for running from one midfielder to another. They are builders, articulators.

In addition to intensity, another characteristic of football today, all over the world and even more so in Brazil, is to analyze and summarize the matches according to the interventions of the coaches, in the lineups and in the changes during the matches. This was quite evident during and after the classic between Corinthians and São Paulo. Almost only the coaches were mentioned, as if they were the owners of the show, of the history of the match.

I repeat, in games between teams of the same technical level, the first half is usually different from the second, regardless of the players’ behavior, even considering that they are important. This is what happened during the match between Corinthians and São Paulo. Each one was better at a time, although São Paulo created more chances to score.

Apart from that, the changes made by Rogério Ceni during the match, in the way of playing and in the substitution of the two best players, Nestor and Reinaldo, are not justified, however understandable the reasons given by the coach are, such as the tactical change that occurred in the Corinthians. Rogério wanted to be more of a strategist than a strategy.

If Cássio hadn’t made several great saves, if Igor Gomes hadn’t missed a goal in front of the goalkeeper, at the end of the match, if VAR hadn’t ruled out Corinthians’ goal, because of Renato Augusto’s nose ahead, when gave the pass to Jô, and due to several other details, the analyzes and behavior of the coaches would be different.

I think that the technicians who work in the country, Brazilians and foreigners, are delirious with their tactical knowledge. I watched all the matches of the three best teams in the world, Manchester City, Liverpool and Real Madrid, and I didn’t see in any game a surprising, strange change that no one had understood. The changes were punctual, expected.

The great talents, in all areas, are those who make the complex and confusing simple and clear.