The Club World Cup has been uneven since 1995 to the point where there have been 23 European victories and only six South American ones in that period. But the last two decisions were marked by extensions and equal games, Palmeiras x Chelsea, Flamengo x Liverpool.
Despite the undeniable European superiority, their lesser interest in relation to the World Cup, the transformation that makes South America play in strategy against the Europeans in attack, even with all this, the distance is not huge.
There are details to take care of, as Abel Ferreira warned at his press conference ahead of the Abu Dhabi decision. “The lawns. People say that the game in Brazil is slower and they don’t understand that this is a care with the lawn. It’s no use having a Ferrari to walk the streets of São Paulo.”
Aside from the message to the mayor and governor, Abel spoke the unvarnished truth. The game in the Brasileirão can improve with a simple attention: the grass.
On the other hand, Abel used a strategy typical of South America, which seems outdated on the old continent: individual marking. Like Cuca, or Marcelo Bielsa, or Giampiero Gasperini at Atalanta, he made his team score man to man.
Rony and Scarpa marked the wingers, Hudson-Odoi and Azpilicueta. Havertz was chased by Marcos Rocha, Mount by Piquerez, Gustavo Gómez scored Lukaku with Luan in the shadows – a brilliant performance by Luan, even with the penalty kick.
In the middle, Danilo was marking Kovacic, and Zé Rafael was chasing Kante. Dudu and Raphael Veiga were left for the counterattacks, from the sides. The strategy was defensive, but Palmeiras threatened Chelsea. Three accurate shots for each side, two from the penalty spot.
Obviously, the right measure of disputes between Europeans and South Americans will take place in the World Cup. But the last two finals show that there can be more balance than our vision of the games of every weekend, Premier League x Brasileirão, makes us think.
Veiga felt sick, Rony had no more legs, Dudu left exhausted, all this because it is very difficult to play an entire match at the level of total concentration, knowing that the opponent is better and can decide the match with the slightest hesitation.
A miserable nap, and Rony left Hudson-Odoi, only once in the match, under the control of Marcos Rocha. The cross that reached Lukaku’s head and ended up in the net. Luan’s penalty, like Thiago Silva’s, was marked by the video.
While it is sad to see that the South American club always has to defend itself, instead of attacking as in the past, it is important to understand that it has been playing. There is no economic equality, Chelsea play in the semi-final with 11 foreigners, international team, and still play.
In 2019, there were people who said that Liverpool were going to play with reserves instead of starting the available starters. And yet, it played.
There’s a lot to transform in Brazilian football, from management to the ability to bet on long-term coaching jobs. But few details seem to be missing so that Brazilian teams can, in fact, compete and win again, as has not happened since 2012.
Just a little investment in culture… It seems like a country that we know.
Follow the game
Abel Ferreira’s messages on social media gave rise to speculation about his sequel. He follows. He may receive a proposal in the middle of the year. For now, follow. Brings knowledge. Even though many want more attack.
Paulo Sousa
The Flamengo coach pleases Flamengo players, due to the quality of training and theoretical knowledge. He dislikes part of the crowd and critics because he is not spectacular. In the state? But is it valid or not? Someone needs to decide. Sunday, there’s the Brazilian Super Cup.
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