Part 1: Brazil vs. Argentina – Player Analysis
One of the best friendly matches scheduled this week happened in the deserts of Qatar between two of the best football playing South American nations, Brazil and Argentina. Both the teams almost played their best players and the game was
expected to be a thriller as the teams took their positions on the field.
There were a few things common about both the sides – Argentina and Brazil both had a new coach after the FIFA World Cup 2010’s disappointment. It was the Argentinean legend Diego Armando Maradonna who took charge of the Argentinean football
team in the tournament that took place in South Africa while the legendary Brazilian defender Dunga was the one who took the Brazilian team for the World Cup as well. Both the managers could not really help their teams win the title as both the South American
teams got eliminated in the quarter finals.
The Argentineans were defeated by the Germans who came to South Africa with immense talent while on the other hand the Brazilians were defeated by the Dutch side who later on went on to face the Spanish side in the final of the tournament.
With big disappointments coming their way, the football board of both the nations decided to change the coach of their national side. For the Argentineans, their caretaker Sergio Batista took charge of the team while for the Brazilians
it was the former Sao Paulo manager Mano Menezes who was selected to take charge of the Brazilian football team.
For the Argentinean coach it was definitely a big match. Sergio Batista proved himself when he faced the former World Champions in a friendly game after the FIFA World Cup 2010 as the Argentineans were the ones who won that day convincingly.
On the other hand, Mano Menezes also had a great responsibility on his shoulders as he was leading a nation which has won the FIFA World Cup more than any other country in the world; which is five times. Moreover, it was Menezes’ first “big” match as he decided
to take his squad to Qatar to face their South American rivals Argentina in a friendly game.
The Brazilian coach was without many senior players who were included in the FIFA World Cup 2010 and it was clearly seen that Menezes wanted to play the young and talented Brazilian players while on the other hand the Argentinean coach
Sergio Batista decided to play a blend of both experienced and young players.
For the Brazilians it was not the Inter Milan number 1 Julio Cesar who was standing between the two poles as a goalkeeper rather it was the Gremio goalkeeper Victor who was selected to play his part in the Brazilian team. The 23-year-old
did a fine job while guarding the goal even though he did eventually concede one when an “unstoppable” Lionel Messi came towards him. It was definitely not his fault that the goal that he conceded was simply extraordinary as the Argentinean maestro was able
to get past five Brazilian players as he took the shot on goal.
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