Brazil has a great chance to win the World Cup this year after a 20-year jinx, especially in light of the underwhelming performances by nations like Germany, Belgium, and Argentina but its ace Neymar is out for the Switzerland match and Richardlison is being called a lucky striker.
Brazil’s Jinx
Nevertheless, with the poor performances from Germany, Belgium and Argentina, who were all defeated by weaker countries in games that added to the surprises at the Qatar World Cup 2022, Brazil should not let another shock happen.
The match against Switzerland will be all about tactics and seizing the opportunity to score. While the fans and the media saw a great goal scored by Richardlison, some say it was just a fluke.
Brazil will certainly play with the same lineup, minus Neymar, against the Swiss team that has 3 points after their 1-0 defeat of the African side Cameroun.
Beating Cameroud got Switzerland a great start to their World Cup campaign at the Al Janoub Stadium on Thursday. Brazil too started well with its 2-0 win against Serbia, placing it on top of their group with Switzerland in second position.
But football has been pretty upsetting in this World Cup franchise making it precarious for big names like Germany who is clinging on a thread with 1 point in their group after a shocking loss to Japan overturned with a good draw against leaders England.
Without Neymar, it might be more difficult for Brazil to crack the Swiss defence particularly if the Europeans opt for a tactic that might get them a point in a draw that will stall Brazil’s qualification to the next round until its final match against Cameroun.
But not all is shiny in the Brazil team, with legend Kaka attacking Neymar for what he called a poor performance before he got injured.
Kaka says Neymar’s performance against Serbia in the World Cup opener was underwhelming, with the PSG star losing possession more frequently than any other players.
But Kaka believes his injury status may pose a problem for the remainder of the competition.
Due to his injury, Neymar is not anticipated to return to action until the knockout stages.
Neymar is the second player who took the heat after the comfortable win against Serbia while many did not understand the role played by Casemiro during the match.
Casemira got only one chance on goal after Brazil was leading 2-0 and his shot, brilliantly taken, clipped the bar in what was perhaps a heartbreaking moment for the Manchester United star.
But at last, Casemiro’s role at the heart of the Brazil team got some great reviews from another former ace of the Brazilian national team, Gilberto Silva.
“Casemiro, the defensive midfielder who is at the heart of this Brazil team trying to end our 20-year wait to win it again. He has a great responsibility in my old position,” says the player in a column for the BBC website.
Playing in the position that Casemiro is involved, Gilberto Silva is someone who knows what it takes to win the FIFA World Cup having done so in 2002.
However, he says it is a very difficult role, one in which the player might get very little of the ball.
“Whoever the manager chooses to play further forward now, it is still important for us to be defensively strong.
“Right now, I think we have the right balance. I am very happy with our back four and also with the players in front of them who teach the side to be solid.
“This is where Casemiro’s intelligence holds the key,” he writes.
Well, he also says in this role, players tend to lose concentration and it takes only a second for the other side to exploit the situation and destroy your chances.
Casemiro is warned, Neymar is given time to wake up to play better football and Richarlison, while criticised, will be welcomed to hit more flukes against Switzerland and Cameroun to ensure that Brazil qualifies for the next round.
For Silva, this Brazilian squad has what it takes to win this World Cup. Will they end the 20-year hiatus?
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