The World Cup kicks off in Brazil tomorrow with the host nation Brazil (the Selecao) taking on Croatia.
As is usually the pattern around here whenever there's a sporting event, I'll be posting statistics of interest.
Like?
Like, which leagues have the most players on World Cup rosters.
1) England (Barclay's Premier League) - 84
2) Italy (Serie A) - 61
3) Germany (Bundesliga) - 55
4) Spain (La Liga) - 47
5) France (Ligue Un)- 37
6) Turkey (Super Lig)- 23
7) Portugal (Premeira)- 14
8) United States/Canada (MLS) - 10
9) Netherlands - (Eredivisie)- 8
10) Russia (Premier League)- 8
11) Belgium (Pro League) - 7
Interestingly, while Serie A's coefficient - as determined by its play in tournaments - has dropped putting it 4th among the 'Big Four' leagues (back in the 1990s and part of the 2000s it was the top league), it still remains a power league attracting top flight talent. The disparity between France and Turkey with Portugal is also intriguing mostly driven by the fact the two teams in the later have opened the purse strings to sign new players.
Brazil has five players playing in England, three in Italy and Spain, and two in Germany. Four on the roster play in Brazil's Campeonato.
As for the Brazil-Croatia game, my take?
Obviously, Brazil runs deep and while I'm not convinced they are outright favorites (there are several teams who can make that claim this time around. I think the dark horses are stronger than they've ever been- e.g. Chile, Colombia, Belgium)) to win the World Cup, they certainly have the ability as there's talent all over the field. I think their biggest enemy will be the enormous pressure. The last time they played in Brazil they lost in the final to Uruguay in 1950.
Croatia is typical of any Slavic (former Yugoslav) team. Technically sound, determined, well balanced as they have a world class keeper and defenders. The midfield in particular is gifted and will definitely pose all sorts of challenges to Brazil's attack and defense. They didn't look that great in qualifying, but it's a tough side to play against.
While a Brazil win is likely, I can totally see a draw here.
As is usually the pattern around here whenever there's a sporting event, I'll be posting statistics of interest.
Like?
Like, which leagues have the most players on World Cup rosters.
1) England (Barclay's Premier League) - 84
2) Italy (Serie A) - 61
3) Germany (Bundesliga) - 55
4) Spain (La Liga) - 47
5) France (Ligue Un)- 37
6) Turkey (Super Lig)- 23
7) Portugal (Premeira)- 14
8) United States/Canada (MLS) - 10
9) Netherlands - (Eredivisie)- 8
10) Russia (Premier League)- 8
11) Belgium (Pro League) - 7
Interestingly, while Serie A's coefficient - as determined by its play in tournaments - has dropped putting it 4th among the 'Big Four' leagues (back in the 1990s and part of the 2000s it was the top league), it still remains a power league attracting top flight talent. The disparity between France and Turkey with Portugal is also intriguing mostly driven by the fact the two teams in the later have opened the purse strings to sign new players.
Brazil has five players playing in England, three in Italy and Spain, and two in Germany. Four on the roster play in Brazil's Campeonato.
As for the Brazil-Croatia game, my take?
Obviously, Brazil runs deep and while I'm not convinced they are outright favorites (there are several teams who can make that claim this time around. I think the dark horses are stronger than they've ever been- e.g. Chile, Colombia, Belgium)) to win the World Cup, they certainly have the ability as there's talent all over the field. I think their biggest enemy will be the enormous pressure. The last time they played in Brazil they lost in the final to Uruguay in 1950.
Croatia is typical of any Slavic (former Yugoslav) team. Technically sound, determined, well balanced as they have a world class keeper and defenders. The midfield in particular is gifted and will definitely pose all sorts of challenges to Brazil's attack and defense. They didn't look that great in qualifying, but it's a tough side to play against.
While a Brazil win is likely, I can totally see a draw here.
Well, I wanted to re-blog this over at the MOR's but ..I cant, cumpa
ReplyDeleteI am Man of Roma
ReplyDeleteI've just watched the Croatia Brasile match.
I cheered Brasile, ça va sans dire. Et toi? ...
[after some time, a new browser, Maxthon, got frozen, I guess Google doesn't like it, American capitalism is too darwinian imo ...basta ;-) ]
Wow, you were absolutely right:
"As for the Brazil-Croatia game, my take? Obviously, Brazil runs deep ... [and] Croatia is typical of any Slavic (former Yugoslav) team. Technically sound, determined, well balanced as they have a world class keeper and defenders. The midfield in particular is gifted and will definitely pose all sorts of challenges to Brazil's attack and defense".
Croatia played a wonderful game, in fact, they are so tough that the Yugoslavian wars were atrocious (not Croatia, but nonetheless ... the Serbs are the master race there btw, like the Junker of Prussia, or the Piedmontese in Italy (my father's side): the three of them not by chance unifying their respective countries, incidentally)
I have only schegge of your knowledge of soccer. All I have is instinct. I'd love to discuss with you, here over at TC's, the whole campionato.
D'accord?
Guappe de Roma
Wow, you were absolutely right: "As for the Brazil-Croatia game, my take? Obviously, Brazil runs deep ... [and] Croatia is typical of any Slavic (former Yugoslav) team. Technically sound, determined, well balanced as they have a world class keeper and defenders. The midfield in particular is gifted and will definitely pose all sorts of challenges to Brazil's attack and defense".
Croatia played a wonderful game, in fact, they are so tough that the Yugoslavian wars were atrocious (not Croatia, but nonetheless ... the Serbs are the master race there btw, like the Junker of Prussia, or the Piedmontese in Italy - my father's side: the three of them unifying their country incicentally)
I have only fractions of your knowledge of soccer. I just have instinct. I'd like to discuss with you here the whole campionato. D'accord?
Guappe de Roma
I suppose I can't work any more with Blogger. Pls erase that ripetizione. Ciao, Giovanni
ReplyDeleteD'accord.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame about the penalty in Brazil's favor though. I found it to be harsh.
Looks like my biggest fear is going to be realized: Teams will not only have to fight through Brazil; but the refs as well.
After the call, I hoped Croatia would tie because the draw would have been deserved.
Once upon a time Brazil had devastating players; from players who could score from set plays to passing artists to dribbling masters. Now, they don't excel in any of these facets of the game. They're very good but not spectacular.
Just to add, in the end, Croatia lacked the class and finishing of Brazil. Simple as that.
ReplyDeleteE la partita Italia Inghilterra? Che ne pensa un esperto? Io certo non lo sono. La Francia e l'Argentina ma anche l'Olanda sono forti al solito.
ReplyDeleteItaly simply outwitted England tactically and were fitter as well as versatile. England had some nice young players and gave the defense problems with their pace but Italy adjusted. Good game. Holland usually starts strong and tend to fizzle - hopefully they avoid this but they were excellent against Spain. France is a nice team but can't judge them against Honduras. Will wait for Switzerland and Ecuador to assess.
ReplyDelete