I refuse to be fooled by another U.S. friendly. Even Mano and Ganso looked like the second coming vs them. We just have their number in these games. The 90s U.S. teams were more competitive than this.
If we are to use Neymar as a pointman up front..I would like to see Oscar, Lima and Lucas or Willian behind him
I don't know what worse for the 9 role. Hulk messing up almost everything he touch or Firmino being virtually invisible.
I look at that Grohe mistake as a blessing.. I think dunga really was considering him to start for next month.
The US made Willian look like Maradona and David Luiz like Beckenbauer ! That was such an easy game. Can't really take much for it. Would have liked to see the team play more through Lucas Lima to see what he could do.
What makes you think he still won't be the number 1 after this? Dunga rationale for anything makes no sense.
To be fair Jefferson was injured before the friendlies. I was surprised he even made the trip to the States. But like @Kaka10725 said, Dunga's rationale is anyone's guess. Grohe is younger, playing for a first division team competing for the title in Brasil, and I hate to bring this up but a Gaucho. Not saying Dunga would pick a player completely based on that but I wouldn't be surprised if regional familiarity has a tiny role in it. I'm pumped for next month because thats when the real show begins. I think this team needs a grimy WCQs in South America to whip them into shape. Chile will be extremely hard away.
Well one thing for sure unless he's injured Hulk will be leading our front line!! Would be even crazier if Dunga went back to a 4-4-2 and have both Hulk and Firmino up front
Hulk 2 goals gave him the starting job under Dunga . If he continues to scores, It is what it is but I'm not convinced at all. He's the same Hulk from Scolari era. Also, I think Lucas Lima performances kicked Coutinho out of the team. I don't see Dumga taking bringing him when Oscar returns.
Lucas Lima has pretty much ended Coutinho's chances I think. Like Oscar he played like pretty much a 3rd midfielder. Gives the team continuity which was severely lacking at the Copa. Hulk is a good option off the bench but starter he is not. His movement isn't great & too many attacks break down once he receives the ball. Willian played extremely well in the 1st half but Douglas & Lucas Moura offer way more end product. Some very good players but Dunga must find better alternatives to Hulk & Elias before the WC.
So, is it between Moura and Costa for the wing-forward job opposite Neymar, or is Willian still maintaining the starting spot, or what?
Willian is Dunga's dream workhorse player but his end product leaves a lot to be desired. It drove me crazy during the Costa Rico game seeing him purposely avoid trying to shoot. I'd say it'll take a few months(maybe even a year or 2) but if Lucas continues to pump out explosive performances like he did today and continues to evolve at PSG, the job will ultimately be his. He is finally becoming the player people thought he'd be back when he was at SPFC. Costa to me at least still needs to work on his end product. He just seems like a completely different player with Bayern than with us. He still has that explosiveness but his decision making leave a lot to be desired.
Btw, I thought Fabinho did great tonight. I was loving his tackles. Here is to hoping Dunga never thinks about calling up Alves again.
Another player that caught my attention even though he didn't get much playtime was Rafinha. Damn was he hungry for his spot! Don't think he missed a single pass, scored and that series of sliding tackles towards the end of the game was awe inspiring. Maybe he is the CMF we are looking for. I also think Lucas Lima and Oscar can play the CMF role as well, and all three would be infinitely better than Fernandinho or Elias. The fight on the wings is getting fiecer now that Douglas Costa form is improving greatly and Lucas has finally got a chance. A trio of Costa-Neymar-Lucas is pretty much GG (neymar not necessarily a false 9, let him play a free role and drag the defenders with him, opening space for diagonal runs from the other players), but if we stick Neymar to his standard position we will probably still see Hulk as false 9 and one of Costa/Lucas will warm the bench, which is a waste. Willian is a solid sub at this point. Also liked Fabinho's performance, though USA didn't really test us defensively.
I think Costa will start in Neymar absence for the first two games but it's most likely will be a trio a Neymar, Willian and Hulk going forward. Thank you Concacaf . Costa and Moura have to try to kick Willian off the team. Easier said then done IMO not only is Willian a harder worker but he performed well under Dunga. Good performance but he isn't ready yet like @Mengão86, I won't get hype over playing great against the U.S. WC. He needs to get more playing time at Barca.
I'd love to sit here and talk about how Lucas Moura had two assists, but I don't feel like it would be a fair assessment if I judged a player for anything that transpired in the second half.