Can Brazil leave some points behind ?

We haven't been playing well against Mexico this last few years.
They, however, are at their lowest right now.

 

I believe that under Menezes (not a bad coach, but maybe not for Brazil at NT level), Brazil fell into an abism not playing well against no one, that was questionable if Brazil was going to come out of it, in time for the WC.

Fortunately Scolari took over at the right time (maybe it would've been better a little bit earlier), and it seems that somehow, he is recovering the Brazil we all know (to our misfortune, ), and you guys are back in business again.

In any case, to the point of the issue :
Yes, Brazil can lose points along the way (at group phase against their opponents), although as it is played at their home, with the pressure of their fans where-ever they play in this WC, It`s very hard to imagine them getting satisfied achieving a draw against anyone in this WC, even if they already have achieved their qualification for the next phase.
I believe that for Brazil in this WC (played at home), they are going to go for the win, from the begining to the end, no matter whom they got in front (to me the question is, how many goals scored will be enough to get them satisfied, at each game they play).

In regards to their opponents at group phase, although they may appear weak on the papers in regards to Brazil, all of them have proved in the past being formidable opponents. Any one of them can get points from Brazil, but with no doubt, it will not be easy.

 

everything is possible in a short sprint like the World Cup.

in a long league, Brazil would be the champion. But in 7 matches, or only the 3 matches of the group play? Mistakes happen, bad luck days too.

 

If by any chance, Brazil loses one of its 2 first games, how positive do you think they will be, afterwards ?

 

I bet that Moacir Barbosa, if he were alive now days, would probably disagree with you.

 

If brasil win the first two teams and are guaranteed a top spot, than i can see them drawing the last game. Cameroon is loaded with defensive players of top quality, so if brasil isn't highly motivated and the coach sets them up nicely a goalless draw isn't unlikely.

 

Just a little example of how people are way over confident here: my university included a June 28th day off on its calendar for next year, describing it as "Brazil game on WC".

June 28th is the day of the round of 16 game for the leader team on group A.

 

There is no way Brazil is going to drop points in their respective group.Many of us saw how Brazil was in control in the group stages in June of this year at the Confederations Cup.Mexico has been in disarray lately,Cameroon has done very little at the World Cup after 1990 and Croatia has a losing record against teams from the Americas in the groups stages at the World Cup with defeats against Argentina in '98,Mexico and Ecuador in '02 and Brazil in '06...

 

Can't really see it happening. Mexico is a shadow of its 2012 form and despite Brazil's recent struggles with Mexico, Mexico will get blown out unless they fix things and fast. Croatia really hit a tail spin in the second half of qualifying and I'm not sure under the current coach they can mount much of a challenge. They have some excellent talent but their morale seems a bit low. Can't speak too much about Cameroon.

Croatia is capable of getting draw especially if Brazil isn't able to find the net because the pressure to look like the best team will be immense. However, if Brazil gets an early goal Croatia could be in big trouble.

 

Simunic got a 10 game ban, which effectively means he's out of the World Cup. Could hurt Croatia's defence a lot...

 

I will be really, really surprise if we manage to lose even a single point. I dont believe in a walk in the park though.

 

Doesn't justify making an off-day out of it beforehand. At all. They can't easily change it now if it is needed.

 

After seeing the final of the Confederations Cup in June of this year where Brazil crushed Spain with much ease,a Croatian loss is more likely than them getting a point or 3 out of this match.

 

Can Brazil stumble? Sure. Anything can happen.

Will Brazil stumble? I don't think Brazil will lose or draw either one of the first two matches. Brazil will be on high octane, firing at all cylinders, from the opening whistle against Croatia, who lost one of its players due to Nazi salutes. And Brazil will be at home.

Mexico is not a weak opponent, but as it was the case at the 2013 Confeds, Brazil will have much going for it come the 2nd match. I don't know much about the current Cameroon side, but if Mexico isn't recovered enough by then, they may well enter the match vs. us with a loss against the Africans. That would force them to attack us, and we're good with open spaces.

 

The thing is no matter what from Mexico is they always give up a hard time. If we do win I do not expect a blowout against Mexico. Maybe 1-0 or 2-1 type of match. Croatia is another tough team as well as Cameroon. I do not think this group is easy and to be taken lightly with. However it is a groups that we can handle. Plus the mentality of this team is different in past teams. Scolari was yelling at the players even when we were up 3x0 against Spain. He is a motivator,tough and takes no crap. He is looking for players that are hungry to win. We have alot of youth player and they are playing at home. No one in that team wants to be the team that failed to win the WC at home for the second time.

 

Almost every Brasil´s starter player plays for a big european team. They´re used to the pressure of playing and winning important matches. I wouldnt call them inexperienced athletes at all. The Confed Cup was a good test on this matter, as any Brazilian fan wasnt expecting nothing less than the trophy, as usual, and we did good. Lack of experience has not been an issue for Brazil all over the years and won´t be once more. If I was a Colombian, a Belgian or a Swiss, I´d be worried about a hypothetical lack of experience being a possible issue preventing my team to do a good job in the WC, but a Brazilian, as well as a German, an Italian, an Argentinian, even a Spaniard, really, that´s not an issue at all.

Although I´m pretty sure group stage wont be a walk in the park, our group is quite acessible and, with good but not top teams, it will serve us as a good preparation camp for the knockout stage, as it´s usual for us in World Cups (it´s rare for us to start a World Cup with a well-rounded team). I will be extremely surprised if we dont win all the three matches.

As for winning the World Cup, it´s a whole other story, once our road to the final tends to be really tough. Maybe we are slightly favorites right now because of home factor plus hot weather. Anyway, to say anything about knockout stage this early is just a futurology exercise.