His friend Paulo César Vasconcellos used to say that Brazilians live in an eternal air bridge between euphoria and depression. This is what can be seen five days before Brazil’s debut in the World Cup, with enormous excitement with the European betting exchanges pointing to Tite’s selection as the favorite.
A year ago, the look was quite different.
On October 7, 2021, the team won Venezuela, 3-1, in Caracas, with a poor performance. He took the first goal, tied with Marquinhos, with a header, at 25 of the second half, and only turned with Gabriel Jesus, from the penalty spot, with six minutes left for the final whistle – the third happened at 50 of the second stage.
On that same date, France turned to 3-2 a game that lost 2-0 at halftime, against Belgium. The League of Nations exposed the gulf between Europe and South America. Neither Brazil nor Argentina would have the slightest chance at the Cup, we said.
Neither depression nor euphoria. Tite works with realism, which we lack in most of the analyses. Brazil is a candidate for the title, not a favorite. There is a huge doubt about the ability to perform against Europeans, after eliminations in the last four Cups against national teams from the old continent – France, Holland, Germany and Belgium.
After winning the 2002 final, Brazil has faced teams from Europe ten times in World Cups and won three, two against Croatia and one against Serbia. He drew with Portugal and Switzerland, lost the third and fourth decision against the Dutch, in Brasília, in addition to the four eliminations.
It is not a good omen to face the Swiss and Serbs for the second consecutive Cup, in the group stage. An incredible coincidence with the draw in 2018, and also in 1950, when the team wore white in the draw against Switzerland, in Pacaembu, and the victory over Yugoslavia, in Maracanã.
At that time, there was also reason to be afraid of Europe, because the first three falls happened to Yugoslavs, in 1930, Spaniards, in 1934, and Italians, in 1938. There are two differences from that time to the current globalized football. The first is that Brazilians played against Brazilians — and that was it.
The last Cup the team reached without having played friendlies against Europeans was in 1954, and it is no coincidence that they won it for the first time after their first trip to the old continent, in 1956. Here comes the second dissimilarity: Brazil does not face the Europe, Brazilian players, yes.
Someone will say that Neymar, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Raphinha, Paquetá and Richarlison don’t know the characteristics of Serbian, Swiss, Portuguese, German, Spanish and Dutch defenders? Of course they do.
The problem is having to face all of these, which is a grim prospect. Brazil can play against Portugal, or Uruguay, in the Round of 16. Expect Germany, or Spain, in the quarterfinals. Play against Holland, or Argentina, in the semi. France, or England, in the decision.
There has never been a champion who reached the title crossing only former world champions, in all knockouts. Brazil may need this if they face Uruguay, Germany, Argentina and France, for example.
The path is very hard and this requires realism. Neither the depression of October 7th of last year, in Caracas, nor the euphoria of European bookmakers.
As a seasoned news journalist, I bring a wealth of experience to the field. I’ve worked with world-renowned news organizations, honing my skills as a writer and reporter. Currently, I write for the sports section at News Bulletin 247, where I bring a unique perspective to every story.
