Opinion – Tostão: Is Brazil doing very well or is the technical level of the team unknown?

by

Palmeiras should win this Wednesday (2) the title of the Brazilian, for the structure of the club, for the competence of the coach and, mainly, for the quality of the cast.

The imponderable, once again, participated in the deserved conquest of Libertadores by Flamengo. Until the last minutes of the first half, when it was 11 against 11, the only clear chance to score had been Athletico.

Shortly after the expulsion of defender Pedro Henrique, rigorously, because of the first yellow card, Fernandinho went to the defense, the midfield was unprotected, and Flamengo scored the title goal. The surprise was Flamengo, in the second half, with one more player, not having won easily.

Even if the Athletico player hadn’t been sent off, Flamengo would have a much better chance of winning, as they are far superior and because teams that make individual markings, like the one from Paraná, tend to get tired in the second half.

Athletico’s individual marking reminded me of Italy’s in the 1970 World Cup final. Unlike Flamengo, we knew, on the eve of the game, that this would happen.

We combined two strategies, one in which I would mark the left-back defender, to prevent him from leaving the cover, and another in which, when Jairzinho entered the middle and was accompanied by the opposing side, Carlos Alberto would penetrate that space, as in the fourth goal. It was the victory of poetry and individual and collective talent, although some insist, to this day, that Brazilian players, in the 1970 World Cup, did what they wanted, without strategy.

The rigid individual marking, with a marker following the opponent from all parts of the field, was abandoned a long time ago, except in special moments, as in Felipão’s attempt to prevent the evident superiority of Flamengo. It worked until the expulsion of the defender from Athletico.

Individual marking has been abandoned because it takes too much physical wear. In addition, when a marker is dribbled, great spaces open up in the defense. The defender’s risk of being sent off is also greater, because of the frequent physical contact.

Probably, Brazil will not face individual marking in the Cup. Some teams will reinforce the marking, with two lines of four behind, leaving two players for the counterattack. Or with a line of five (three defenders and two wingers) and another of three or four.

The two lines of four work best, because each defender has a protector in front of them. The teams that work with a line of five and another of three leave a lot of space in the middle for the opponent to exchange passes, to dribble and to finish close to the area.

The line of five also usually leaves a lot of space in the back of the wingers, who advance and often don’t have time to return. Defenders come out on the cover and are often late and/or dribbled. Thus, there have been many goals, because of this frequent marking adopted by European teams.

The fear I have is not Brazil facing closed defenses, but playing against stronger opponents, who will also try to keep the ball and involve the Brazilian team. After four years, we are no longer used to facing the best European teams, even considering that all, or almost all, of the team’s holders play in Europe.

Is Brazil doing very well or is the team’s technical level an unknown?

You May Also Like

Recommended for you