Rantboy
International
- 27 December 2002
- Fluminense FC / Arsenal


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Paulinho back in and Fernandinho to play the Luis Gustavo role?
I don't think Brazil will go much further. The entire team looks subpar when attacking. Mark Neymar out of the game and you're gold!
Fred and Jo are an utter waste of space. Felipão is too stubborn to change things, but the truth is that Brazil would benefit from a false 9 system at this point.
Looks like he's changing his system. In the middle of the World Cup! Wow!
Today training was reported to be carried out on a 3-5-2 with Fred subbed by centre back... wait for it... Henrique!
I feel sorry for Dante if that is true. How on earth Henrique could get ahead of him is beyond me.
Also, a rigid 3-5-2 just like in the 2002 World Cup? Come on Felipão! Football has moved on.
Apparently Maicon was tested as a Dani Alves replacement. I'm not convinced by either of them. But at least the 3 defenders will make them less exposed.
If all that is confirmed, Big Phil will be showing his true colours and embracing the ugly football he loves. Truth be told, we were playing dreadful football with the 4-5-1, now we might as well play the same dire football but at least look solid at the back.
So it could look like this:
-------------J.Cesar--------------
--Henrique---T. Silva---D. Luiz---
--------Paulinho---Fernandinho----
-Maicon------------------Marcelo--
--------------Oscar---------------
---------Neymar----Hulk-----------
Bear in mind that, knowing Felipão, this has 5-3-2 written all over it, with both fullbacks being part of a 5 men backline.
This worked somehow in 2002. Now we only have Neymar. No Rivaldo or Ronaldo or Ronaldinho... oh dear.