worst first half ive seen since the 7-1 and the 98 final. Vinny was right on his complaint to the ref
Brilliant goal . A couple of nice plays . A bunch of bad ones . But yeah … probably our best player today .
Calling it right now, the game was fixed. I cannot believe the amount of unforced errors today unless they were intentional. Morrocco stopped trying after the 15min mark when they were doing well. Both teams playing at leisure pace by the 70 minute mark , like they were content to settle for a draw. Only 2 shots on goal for each side. Either one of the "bets" arranged this or there was a gentleman's agreement to not overextend in the debut of an 8 match tournament.
That could have been a disaster. The players missing passes, not reaching the ball first and just generally looking slower to react frustrates me more than anything. Thank goodness for Vini's goal, but he did sort of switch off after the 2nd half hydration break. To be fair to him the rest of the team was just not on the right wavelength. Paquetá was not bad... once he woke up, but he was having a howler. He wasn't great though. Fabinho surprisingly good and Danilo did well. I do wish we had seen Endrick. Most players were just, not there half the time. Too afraid or nervous or even sleepy. Good news is the next two are theoretically easier. If they can get into the right rhythm and mentality we'll forget this eventually. If they can't, then it doesn't matter too much if we finish first or second, any Group F opponent will be this difficult to beat and probably more threatening in the knockouts. I was going to list out more players, but why bother. Let's just see what the next two line-ups are like and how it goes. Looking forward to Scotland x Haiti in a few minutes to relax my nerves.
Trying to navigate the post game shows and hear more analysis than yelling is difficult. ESPN linha de passe is probably worth it: Actually find Vitor Birner a little too accepting of the disaster that it was, but liked the things pointed out by others.
This performance would have piss me off with any of past WC teams but this team unfotunately did exactly what I expected them to do. Ancelotti gets no blame from me, he did well overall with his subs.
The potential handball by the Scotland defender in the box was AT THE VERY LEAST worthy or a Review. I think it got only 1 replay or none. Am I dreaming here or what?
This was a Quarterfinal, Semifinal or even a Final level game. Brazil got out alive, that's all that matters to me.
The fact that Casemiro, Paqueta, Igor Thiago, Ibanez and even Raphinha did not play well and Brazil could have still won the game gives me much hope for the immediate future.
Sadly, if they both decide to defend with 11 men behind the ball, we might have a tougher game. Our build up play is too slow. I like Casemiro but I probably do not start him in these two games. I go with Danilo and Bruno pairing.
Also, let us not forget that Morocco is a World Cup Semifinal level team with incredible world class talent all over the place. Yes I'm talking about Brahim Diaz and Hakimi and others (#11?), but how about Ayyoub Bouaddi? I think that Brazil, especially the midfield, were rather shocked by the quality of Bouaddi.
As has been said elsewhere, on the plus side, Brazil has incredible depth. Every player on the Brazil roster can come in and there will be little drop-off in quality. This is an advantage that Brazil has on all other top teams.