Brasil x Argentina, 11 de Outubro de 2014 - Super Clássico das Américas

vs.

Saturday, October 11, 2014. 8:05am Eastern time, 5:05am Pacific time.
Sábado, 11 de Outubro de 2014. 9:05am horário de Brasília, 8:05pm local time.
Beijing National Stadium (Bird’s Nest), Beijing, China.​

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After a suspension in 2013, the Super Clássico das Américas – a refurbished version of the old Copa Roca – returns as Brazil and Argentina meet for bragging rights. And unlike the 2011 and 2012 editions of the competition, which stipulated only domestic players were eligible to participate in a home-and-away format, the 2014 version will be a single match falling on an official FIFA date, thusly granting eligibility to all players.

In its September tour of the United States, Brazil defeated Colombia and Ecuador with a combined scoreline of 2-0 – two victories with set-up plays resulting in 1 goal apiece – whereas Argentina, runner up in the 2014 World Cup, beat World Cup champions Germany 4-2 in Düsseldorf.

During Dunga's first stint as manager of Brazil, the two sides met 4 times, with 3 Brazilian wins and 1 draw.
- 2006: London, 3-0 Brazil (Elano, 2 gols; Kaká)
- 2007: Maracaibo, Copa América 3-0 Brazil (Júlio Baptista, Ayala (own goal), Daniel Alves)
- 2008 Belo Horizonte, World Cup Qualifying 0-0
- 2009: Rosario, World Cup Qualifying 1-3 (Luizão, Luís Fabiano – 2 goals)

However, China does bring Brazilian fans a bitter memory as it was in this Asian nation that Dunga’s Olympic team fell to a Messi-led Argentina Olympic side 3-0 in 2008.

 

"Tata?" This is what they call their new manager? You gotta give it to the Argentines, they come up with the strangest nicknames.

 

"Tata" is what they call their manager. I know Tite's real name is Adenor Leonardo Bacchi, but we don't nickname our players and coaches that much.

 

Kaká is a nickname I’m not all that fond of, but it's catchy. And Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri’s usage of “Dunga,” or Marcos Evangelista de Morais’ usage of “Cafu,” or Manuel Francisco dos Santos’ usage of “Garrincha” were peculiar, but nicknames in Brazilian soccer are not as common. Ronaldo Nazário was called “Ronaldinho” until Ronaldo de Assis Moreira came on the scene. Cicinho is a nickname for Cícero (Cícero João de Cézare).

You guys have Tata, Pulga, Pupi, Vasco, Cholo, Brujita, Gata, Loco, Pato, Tano, Payasito, Chuchu, Kun, etc.

Thanks but no thanks. I’ll take Kaká, Dunga, Cafu, Cicinho, and Garrincha any day.

And as for Tevez, I couldn’t agree more. As I’m sure you remember, he mocked our players in the final minutes of the 2004 Copa América final. Adriano equalized and we won the penalty shootout. It’s no wonder Tevez behaved discreetly, without provocations, in the 2007 final (Tevez and your entire team – Dunga himself later said that his beef wasn’t with you, but rather, with the press).

 

Mixed feelings on this. On one hand, Kaká is one of my all-time favorite players: world-class skills with rugged yet clean competitiveness, with an off-the-field demeanor and track record that has earned him the respect of teammates, opponents, managers, and of course, fans. I wish he had remained at a level that could have earned him a spot in this year's World Cup - he's not where he was in 2010 or in 2006, but he's still got the talent and he indubitably worked very hard to return to the roster. It was surreal to see him greet the starting players vs. Croatia wearing the jersey.

On the other... SPFC will need him (and Souza). We're now 3rd, and we're 4 points behind 2nd-place Internacional. The Campeonato Brasileiro will not stop during next weekend's international fixtures. And given his age, I doubt Kaká will be a realistic option for Russia 2018. If he helps us a win in China, great, but above and beyond this annual confrontation w/ the Argentines, we need to look to the future. Kaká's not part of it (although I sure wish he's part of SPFC's near future... damn MLS.).