Two Soccer Giants Headed in Opposite Philosophical Directions

With nine World Cup titles and 13 appearances in the finals, Brazil and Italy are two countries (along with Germany) synonymous with world soccer success. Both did it, excuse the Frank Sinatra reference, their way. However, both countries are heading in opposite directions in terms of how they will manage their national sides moving forward.

If Brazil was the embodiment of beautiful soccer where innovative virtuoso's danced to the samba that graced the field, Italy was far more rooted in sophisticated realism that sometimes provided dramatic operatic flair. A careful blend of Michaelangelo artistry and cunningly Machiavellian.

It's a sort of zero-sum game of style and substance that defined the philosophical interpretations of soccer of each country. They existed at the polar extremes of one another. Put in political parlance, they are extremists. Italy and Brazil chose one vision and stuck to it. It's hard to argue with the results.

Something funny, however, happened in the last few years. Where Italian soccer has been opening up and playing a more offensive brand of soccer, Brazil has slowly been embracing a more cautious style of play.

In both cases, fans and media have been slow to catch up to this evolution. Even while Brazil won with defense during the World Cup in Germany, the media still spoke of its struggling offense. Despite the evidence of this, popular positions maintained that Italy was a squad dedicated to cynical defense and Brazil to improvised offense. Of course, this assertion was misleading if not misguided.

Former player and present coach of the Brazilian national side, Dunga has talked about bringing vibracao (will and motivation) to his team. Dunga himself was not the proto-typical Brazilian player and it is an interesting piece of fact that he was named head coach. It may indeed reveal that Brazil is no longer solely dedicated to joca bonita anymore.

Italian head coach Roberto Donadoni for his part has confirmed that he will continue to encourage an attacking spirit in Italian football. Indeed, several clubs in Italy are designed to be as such. Some of the world's finest strikers, always a forgotten relic among legendary defenders and keepers, actually do come from Italy now. That is not to say that Italy will play offensive of soccer for the sake of it. The bedrock of Italian soccer is the counter attack which entails a certain respect for defense. Call it a character trait.

It is unclear to what degree Italy and Brazil will adhere to their newfound tactics. If the recent World Cup is any indication, Italy is quite capable and prepared to play defense when need be.

Will Brazil find a happy compromise that will please its demanding fans? There is no question Brazil's offensive prowess remains in tact, however, its under rated defense played effectively in Germany. It seems people are still not quite prepared to believe Brazil is strong defensively.

This inverted state of affairs is something to look out for in the upcoming months or years. Will Italy and Brazil continue to remain at the pinnacle of soccer greatness? So many questions that only time will be able to answer.

Until then, get used to a new breed of great Brazilian players in the defensive mold and Italian ones groomed as strikers. Either way, they are still doing it their way.

NOTES:

- They say that the gap between the powers and the minnows has closed in recent years. Maybe. While smaller nations are more competitive than they have ever been, soccer remains a big boy sport. Consider since 1982 (where upsets did take place. Algeria defeating Germany. Cameroon drawing Italy for example) who made the finals: Brazil and Italy 2-1, Germany 1-2, Argentina and France 1-1. The big five dominate the list. What about the semi-final match? France 1-1; Germany and Italy 1-0. Other 3rd place winners include Poland, Sweden, Croatia and Turkey. Hardly minnows themselves. 4th place includes Portugal, England, Holland, Belgium, Bulgaria and South Korea. With the latter being a surprise (especially the way they made it. I admit I was not convinced of South Korea's accomplishment) we're not quite there yet. Africa has to make the party now. Making it to the next round should not be enough for the quality and talent stemming from the Dark Continent.

-Inter 4 Milan 3. Serie A is boring you say? Anyone who says Italian soccer is boring should be dismissed outright as not understanding soccer. The Milan Derby was easily one of the finest matches in recent soccer memory in any league.