Did You Ever Imagine You Would See the Day Brazil Played Like Stoke City?

[Dirkus_Circus]

Brazil in this World Cup has now fully transformed into Stoke City under Pulis 3-4 years ago. They are going to muck up the Germany game with so much kicking and fouling you will think you are watching Ipswich town in the FA Cup 3rd round against one of the premier league top four.

There were 54 fouls in the Brazil/Colombia game (31 committed by Brazil) which was the most fouls in a game this World Cup. The game with the second most fouls was Brazil/Chile with 51 fouls (28 committed by Brazil). There have been 58 matches at this World Cup. Brazil's 31 fouls in the Colombia game were more fouls than the total in 36 of the 57 other matches.

It's been amazing to watch really, Brazilians wildly cheering their defenders launching the ball into the stands on clearances late in the game. Joga Hoofball.

I never thought I would see the day that Brazil plays with a center forward who can't score and whose biggest goal threat comes from central defenders scrambling the ball over the goal line via set pieces.

And now the Seleção will be playing without their only attacking threat so far at this world cup. Maybe the loss of Silva and Neymar will galvanize the Brazilians and Oscar or Willian will be able to provide more in the attacking third. Maybe Hulk will finally find his shooting boots and Fred will pop up with a decent performance ala the Confederations Cup.

But I doubt it.

Brazil used the kicking, fouling, and diving dark arts to win WITH Neymar, I can only imagine how ugly they will play in the semifinal without their one decent attacking player this tournament.

 

[Whirly]

It's Bernard's time to shine.

 

[Markeh]

Maybe they'll reboot into Brazilian mode and start playing like the team that used to star in those awesome Nike adverts now that their main man is out. But I doubt it.

I like your title, no sugar coating it 👍 they've been a shite watch unless you're emotionally invested in them some way. I think I've been cheering on every opponent they've faced despite people telling me it's bad for the tournament if the hosts go out.

 

[Spaghetti Legs]

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

So, some questions here:
-- Is their shitness due more to Scolari and his team selections, or just a real dearth of talent and Scolari is just doing what he can with the poo at his disposal?
-- Who could they have brought to the World Cup instead?
-- Do they have a new generation of U-21 exciting attacking talents that just missed this tournament but could make a splash in Russia 2018?

I don't think Coutinho could've have done anything even if he went, given that Willian has barely kicked a ball too (I think he's played 39 minutes) as Scolari has preferred the thug that's Ramires ahead of him as well. Oscar is also looking like a walking piece of dead fish - what's happened to him? Did a season under Mourinho drain all the creativity out of him?

 

[ctlovesred]

I keep picking their opponents to win, thought Colombia would do them for sure. Should have known. I'm on the Germany bandwagon now

 

[C/O]

I love that we can talk shit and judge teams like them now, without it being laden with irony.

Thanks Brenner

 

[Frogfish]

It's Scolari.

I can't imagine any other manager picking Fred/Jo. Hulk is still a good player, and fast, so with Coutinho / Oscar / Neymar behind him they would be a better team. However they may be regretting leaving Lucas Moura out.

Felipe Luis and Coutinho are both missing too of course.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

the 1994 world cup winning team wasn't that exciting either - bar Bebeto and Romario.

 

[hmmmmm1]

Tim Vickery explains this well

 

[Delinquent]

I keep picking their opponents to win, thought Colombia would do them for sure. Should have known. I'm on the Germany bandwagon now

Same here. I'm currently living in Berlin, and this is the best chance I'm ever going to get of experiencing what it's like to see a home nation bring the cup home.

 

[Pesam]

Whoever wins the world cup this time around will be the worst World Champions in my lifetime. It's been an exciting tournament because the teams are all so evenly matched but the Spanish team of 2008-2012 would have won this world cup at a canter.

 

[Frogfish]

Whoever wins the world cup this time around will be the worst World Champions in my lifetime. It's been an exciting tournament because the teams are all so evenly matched but the Spanish team of 2008-2012 would have won this world cup at a canter.

Yep. This WC has turned sour. After all the excitement and potential of the Group Stages the goals have dried up, the dirty tackle ratio has hit record levels, referees refuse to punish early (or indeed flourish the Yellow/Reds at all) meaning the bad tackles continue and there isn't a worthy winner in the remaining 4. I'm gutted for Colombia.

 

[cloggypop]

It is all Dunga's fault

 

[cloggypop]

Same here. I'm currently living in Berlin, and this is the best chance I'm ever going to get of experiencing what it's like to see a home nation bring the cup home.

I want a Dutch - German final myself. The atmosphere would be boss. They absolutely hate each other when it comes to football.

 

[Delinquent]

Yeah, I didn't realise until I came here but it's much fiercer than the England-Germany rivalry.

 

[Dirkus_Circus]

I want a Dutch - German final myself. The atmosphere would be boss. They absolutely hate each other when it comes to football.

Specific footballing reasons or World War II resentment? Or both?

 

[cloggypop]

Specific footballing reasons or World War II resentment? Or both?

Just football these days. You will still get the odd knobhead shouting that he wants his Granddad's bike back mind.

German style WW2 helmets in bright orange plastic are quite popular for some reason.

 

[Dirkus_Circus]

Just football these days. You will still get the odd knobhead shouting that he wants his Granddad's bike back mind.

German style WW2 helmets in bright orange plastic are quite popular for some reason.

Now that is just odd.

As is the fact that you will ALWAYS see some Dutch fans dressed in drag at a major tournament game involving the Dutch.

 

[gkmacca]

They've hardly ever played like Brazil, if by Brazil you mean the Brazil that won in 1970 or the one that did well in 82. Yet every time these things come around it's the same old 'samba football' hype shite. This team started off boring and then grew dirty, too. At least Stoke's players don't cry every time they get a good result. Sheesh!

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

the 1994 world cup winning team wasn't that exciting either - bar Bebeto and Romario.

That was the first Brazil team that made me not support them.

 

[Frogfish]

Specific footballing reasons or World War II resentment? Or both?

I lived in Amsterdam for a year and there was no doubt at all as to why they detested them ... and it had nothing to do with football. That was 30 years ago, so no doubt as the older generations pass on the younger generations don't have that abhorrence drilled into them.

 

[Nightman]

Brazil always had 1 player who was unbridled brilliance, someone who could make you gasp consistently

This team doesn't have it

Neymar is a prancing little rat who seems to be the definition of a YouTube purchase

 

[Lippy]

Always weird how that Brazil team dubbed the greatest (and they were great) failed to win the world cup

 

[doctor_mac]

Brazil always had 1 player who was unbridled brilliance, someone who could make you gasp consistently

This team doesn't have it

Neymar is a prancing little rat who seems to be the definition of a YouTube purchase

That made me laugh.

 

[kingjulian]

Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos, Cafu, Rivaldo...Kaka....that looks pretty super brazil to me.

 

[Dirkus_Circus]

That made me laugh.

Me too

 

[ChastenedMUFC]

I think the general standard of international football has declined since the glory days of the 'Real Brazil'.

The level of players at the top clubs is now far higher than almost all international teams. Given that they have massive money to cherry pick the best players from around the world and fill gaps as needs arise I suppose that is bound to happen.

If the 4 semi finalists were competing in the PL where would they finish?

 

[Lippy]

I think the general standard of international football has declined since the glory days of the 'Real Brazil'.

The level of players at the top clubs is now far higher than almost all international teams. Given that they have massive money to cherry pick the best players from around the world and fill gaps as needs arise I suppose that is bound to happen.

If the 4 semi finalists were competing in the PL where would they finish?

Going by last seasons standards, above your lot without a doubt

 

[ChastenedMUFC]

Going by last seasons standards, above your lot without a doubt

As bad as we were we would probably finish above at least two of the remaining 4