Real Madrid remain the King at Cam Nou

The buildup to the El Clasico has always been electrifying – with the old guards giving away the torch to the next generation – the attraction took a setback, but an El Clasico is always an El Clasico and Camp Nou was prepared to host their bitter rivals in the afternoon. Guess what, Real Madrid conquered Camp Nou again and proved themselves as the kings of El Clasicos. 

The game lacked pace and intensity, which is always evident in such a high-voltage clash. Both the teams cashed in a cautious start and focused on their backline. The midfield was busy in blocking the gaps rather than orchestrating attacks while the frontliners lacked efficiency.

Ronald Koeman had a surprising inclusion in his starting XI, with Oscar Mingueza slotted in at right-back, while Sergino Dest was pushed forward as a right-winger.

Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti went with an attack-minded line-up, consisting of Lucas Vazquez at right-back, Ferland Mendy at left-back and Rodrygo Goes joining fellow Brazilian Vinicius Junior up top with Karim Benzema.

The opening 10 minutes have been cagey, to say the least. Both sets of players are playing it safe when in possession and three minutes later, Vinicius latched on to a ball over the top by Mendy and surged into the left-inside channel and went for a cutback towards Benzema, but Garcia was there to deflect it behind for a corner – the Los Blancos broke the shackles and hinted, they were at Camp Nou for a win.

Vinicius went down in the box under pressure from Mingueza and appealed for a penalty. The referee was not interested and told the forward to get to his feet.

The referee had to calm tempers after Alba reacted to Vinicius' appeal for a spot-kick. There was not a great deal in contact between Mingueza and Vinicius, prompting the reaction from the home side.

Benzema threaded Vinicius through on goal and he burst into the left-inside channel. He rounded Ter Stegen to open up space to fire at goal on his left foot but then opted to go back onto his right foot. Alba got back to block his eventual strike, although the offside flag went up late.

Barca responded with Sergino Dest - The USA international blazed a golden opportunity over the bar from 12 yards out. Memphis Depay made a lung-bursting run into the Madrid box and cut a low ball back across the penalty area. Fati edged it into the path of Dest, who only had to beat Courtois. However, he lost his composure and skied his effort.

Madrid were having trouble keeping themselves onside in the final third.

Benzema is caught straying as he latched onto an offload from Rodrygo before blasting his eventual strike from the right-inside channel into the side-netting.

Fati tried to find Depay in space on the edge of the box, but the Dutchman failed to bring his offload under control amid pressure from Alaba – a counter-attack was on offer.

The Los Blancos scored the perfect counterattacking goal with Alaba providing a sublime finish on his left foot.

Alaba started the move by dispossessing Depay on the edge of the Madrid box before breaking up the field. Rodrygo took possession and cut open the Barca defence with an incisive pass towards Alaba in the left-inside channel.

He took a touch before rifling his strike into the top-right corner.

It was the first goal for Real Madrid and what a moment and venue he chose to celebrate his goal – El Clasico and Camp Nou!

Alaba was not done yet – at the stroke of halftime.

 Alaba produced a huge block at the back to deny Fati. Busquets clipped a ball over the top for Alba to chase in the left-inside channel. He cut a low cross back towards Fati, who shot with power towards goal, but the presence of the Austrian legend blocked the effort in its track.

Philippe Coutinho was summoned during the break for Mingueza, meaning Dest dropped back to his usual right-back spot, as Barcelona remained on the front foot in their search for an equaliser.

However, as the second stanza wore on, Real Madrid started to impose themselves and, if not for a last-gasp intervention from Dest and then a save from goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, both Vinicius and Benzema likely would have had goals.

Barca built down the left flank through Fati. He tried to offload towards Coutinho in the box, but the Brazilian saw his left-footed strike diverted behind by Militao.

Alba had space down the left flank and cut the ball back for Fati to strike, but his attempt was saved by Courtois down to his right.

The defensive change for Real Madrid signalled Ancelotti's comfort with using his defence to see things out, with an eye toward getting a second via the counterattack.

Modric hooked an offload inside for Benzema, who had his first real opening at the goal of the game.

However, Benzema scuffed his strike from 12 yards into the ground and Ter Stegen made the block with his body.

It was a huge chance for Los Blancos to take command of the game.

Vinicius bursts into space down the left flank and had Benzema in the box in support, but he failed to beat Ter Stegen with his cross to the near post.

Koeman's final roll of the dice was youngster Gavi off for Luuk de Jong, while Marco Asensio gave Real Madrid fresh legs in place of a limping Vinicius and Dani Carvajal replaced Fede Valverde.

Ancelotti's approach worked to a tee as a Barcelona attack bereft of ideas in the second half couldn't land the leveller and a stoppage-time counter saw Lucas Vazquez put the nail in the coffin for a 2-0 lead.

A last-gasp goal from Aguero made sure Real Madrid couldn't keep a clean sheet, but the spoils were all for the visitors as they claimed a 2-1 win - their fourth Clasico victory in a row.

Barcelona, meanwhile, are down in eighth and could end the weekend in ninth if Real Betis beat Rayo Vallecano.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 24/10/2021 Real Madrid remain the King at Cam Nou

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

What is Tite thinking?

 

“This is not the era of Brazil where each and every player was ready to shine, no matter which position they played. This is the era where talented players with decent and not extraordinary abilities exist – they just need the right position to play and obviously, enough playing time should be given.  But, as I said, none could understand what Tite is thinking”

 After a dismal show against Venezuela at Caracas, the boys of Tite dished out a dismal display against Colombia – apart from the altercations between Neymar and Yerry Mina; there was nothing significant from the Selecao at Barranquilla. Brazil dropped points for the first time in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and yet again, Tite’s tactics were heavily criticized.

What is Tite thinking?

One can be sure, if no injuries happen, Tite would start with Alisson, Casemiro in front of him while Neymar leading the attack upfront in Qatar – but the space between the defensive and offensive area, even after four years, nothing is organized since World Cup 2018.

The search is for the best harmony between the offensive model and the players who would be chosen to execute it.

In the last three matches, the Selecao played either in a 4-2-2-2 switching to a 4-1-3-2 or,  Tite’s favourite 4-1-4-1.

Fred was like a confused character at the centre of the pitch who was outweighed several times by the Colombian players and his lack of creativity hampered Brazil badly. Meanwhile, Gabigol up front was another confused character, who still has not figured out what to do when wonderful scoring opportunities pass by.

The role of Lucas Paqueta as a winger or false nine – as they are saying – seems to be one of the most wasted ideas ever executed by a Brazilian coach. Paqueta is not an allrounder like the past legends who would gel well in any positions, rather he is more of a regista and like Bruno Guimares - he loves to pull the strings from the deep.

And on what basis Everton Ribeiro makes the cut in the starting eleven as a right-winger remains a moot question.

At present, Tite has built the Seleçao with a lineup of three players in front of the wheel and two moving forwards inside.

In the victory over Venezuela, of below-average performance, this line of three had Ribeiro on the right, Gerson in the middle and Paqueta on the left. In the tie with Colombia, Gabriel Jesus and Fred replaced Ribeiro and Gerson – ultimately cutting a frustrating figure.

These changes hinted that Tite is searching for the missing parts between the defensive and offensive line – well, he can’t fix things, until and unless he starts with the right players, who would set the tone and boost the confidence.

Enough said!

It seems, we seem to talk the same thing in different ways, but still, unable to decipher the mind of a coach, who replaced a frustrating Carlos Dunga back in 2016 and gave everyone a lot of hope.

Tite's career includes titles won in various tactical formations – all built from the balance between the defensive and offensive phases –, also determined by the evolution of the game. His most recent great moments, at Corinthians and in the Seleção, had either fast attackers endowed with the ability to unbalance defensive systems with dribbling and deep plays or creative midfielders with accurate space reading to move towards to the middle and generate superiority and approximation.

The first category includes Raphinha, Antony, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, Cebolinha, Douglas Costa, Malcom, Gabriel Jesus, Phlippe Coutinho and Neymar.

In the second category - Everton Ribeiro, Claudinho, Jadson, Bruno Guimares, Paqueta, although this movement still doesn't seem to be such a present and natural element in his ascension.

Jesus has an exciting start to the season as a right-winger at Manchester City and had a good performance in the 2019 Copa America, but still, his selection as a right-winger in the current Brazil side needs further evaluation.

To receive the ball closer to the opponent's area, other mechanisms of the positional game would need to be more adjusted, such as the conduction of the ball to the offensive field, by the defenders, and a smaller distance from him, Jesus, to the lateral.

At City, the presence of a trio of midfielders usually favours faster ball circulation and this also allows a pass to find it in better conditions, against a less balanced marking.

This is another issue to be resolved by Tite in this space between Casemiro and Neymar: the composition of the midfield.

In the overwhelming beginning, Renato Augusto and Paulinho shared functions - the first one varying the pace, accelerating or pacing according to the demand of the game, and helping the origin of the plays; the second with its constant infiltration, taking advantage of the spaces created by the movement of attackers and arriving at the area to finish.

The momentary decision to use a central attacking duo, motivated by Neymar's transformation, calls for a second defensive midfielder that can bring together as many of the characteristics of Renato Augusto and Paulinho as possible.

It's easier to find that type of midfielder in other countries.

 Here, Tite runs into a problem with the formation of Brazilian football, a conceptual delay in relation to the understanding of the game.

Apart from the updated version of Lionel Messi as a midfielder, arch-rival, Argentina has Rodrigo e Paul, who dictates the game from the deep and gives Argentina the edge in between the offensive and defensive area. Italy have a Marco Verratti, France have a Paul Pogba with players like Camavinga waiting under the wings and Germany have a Joshua Kimmich – meanwhile, Brazil does not have such assets.

Paqueta and Guimares could have been built by giving them time and right positions – but the biggest loss is the downfall of Arthur Melo and Coutinho.

Arthur is the one who could complement very well with Casemiro or Fabinho in Tite’s 4-2-2-2 system while Coutinho would have given Neymar the boost from the central attacking position by moving from the left to centre.   

But there is no meaning in wasting time for those who are still trying to rediscover themselves, rather, it would be better to exploit the right ones – that same school of thought – choose the right players and settle a team for the World Cup.

From 2018 until now, Brazil has attacked in all the ways described in this text, in addition to transforming the left-back into a winger, forming a 2-3-5 with minimum effect.

Today, it alternates between a ball outing with seven players (goalkeeper, full-backs, defenders and midfielders) and another, a little more advanced, with three (defenders and one of the full-backs).

This is not the era of Brazil where each and every player was ready to shine, no matter which position they played. This is the era where talented players with decent and not extraordinary abilities exist – they just need the right position to play and obviously, enough playing time should be given.  But, as I said, none could understand what Tite is thinking.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer on 13/10/2021 What is Tite thinking?

FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Cristiano Ronaldo on fire, Denmark qualify and Hungary halt England at Wembley

 

Cristiano Ronaldo the great

There is always an accusation that Cristiano Ronaldo scores heavily against weak teams, but that is what a great player should not do? If an opposition is weak then the best player in the world should always take full advantage of it and it is not the fault of Cristiano Ronaldo if teams like Luxemburg, Gibraltar or Farao Islands are situated in Europe and feature in the UEFA World Cup qualifier Group. Rather than struggling, a great player always smashes them – CR7 does that and which should be praised.

AP reports:

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat trick as Portugal cruised past Luxembourg 5-0 in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday to stay close to group leader Serbia.

Serbia kept a one-point cushion at the top of Group A by defeating last-place Azerbaijan 3-1 at home. It has 17 points, one more than Portugal, which has a game in hand.

Serbia's last game is at Portugal in November. Portugal, which has won four in a row in qualifying, will play at Ireland before the decisive match against the Serbians.

Ronaldo took his record scoring tally to 115 international goals by converting two early penalty kicks and finding the net again near the end. Bruno Fernandes and Joao Palhinha also scored for Portugal.

Bernardo Silva was fouled to prompt the first penalty in the eighth minute, while Ronaldo himself was brought down inside the area before converting the second penalty in the 13th. He had to retake it, though, after André Silva entered the area too early.

Ronaldo also struck the post a few minutes later, and in the 18th Fernandes added to the lead after being set up by Bernardo Silva.

Palhinha scored the fourth in the 69th, moments after Ronaldo came close with a bicycle kick that was saved by Luxembourg goalkeeper Anthony Moris.

Ronaldo completed his hat trick in the 87th.

Denmark book a place in Qatar

Denmark became the second European team to qualify for next year's World Cup by beating Austria 1-0 on Tuesday to maintain the team's perfect record in its group.

Joakim Maehle's 53rd-minute goal at Parken Stadium secured a seventh straight qualifying win for the Danes, who have yet to concede in Group F and have the only 100% record.

Germany was the first team to reach the 2022 tournament in Qatar via qualifying, sealing first place in its group on Monday.

Denmark came into World Cup qualifying without star midfielder Christian Eriksen, who is recovering from collapsing during the European Championship after suffering cardiac arrest, but as one of the best teams on the continent having still reached the semifinals at Euro 2020.

With just the first-place finisher qualifying automatically, Denmark holds an unassailable seven-point lead over Scotland, which needed an 86th-minute goal by Lyndon Dykes to beat Faeroe Islands 1-0.

Israel is in third place, four points further back, after a 2-1 victory over Moldova.

Hungary hold back England

Crowd trouble marred World Cup qualifiers as Hungary fans clashed with police during a 1-1 draw against England at Wembley Stadium and Poland's players walked off in Albania after bottles were hurled in another Group I match on Tuesday.

Karol Widerski had just scored for Poland in the 77th minute when he was struck by a bottle thrown from the stands. It led to the game being suspended for around 20 minutes.

The disorder in England happened around kickoff after home players taking a knee had been booed by the visiting fans.

 “Shortly after the start of tonight's match at Wembley, officers entered the stand to arrest a spectator for a racially aggravated public order offence following comments made towards a steward,” the Metropolitan Police said in a statement, while the game was still going on.

“As the officers made the arrest, minor disorder broke out involving other spectators. Order was quickly restored and there have been no further incidents at this stage.”

Police were seen wielding batons to hold back the visiting fans but the rest of the game passed off largely peacefully.

The Football Association (FA) have opened an investigation and will report the incident to FIFA.

“We are aware of an incident in the away section during tonight's FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifier at Wembley Stadium,” said the FA in a statement, again still during the game.

“We will be investigating and will report the incident to FIFA.”

UEFA have previously ordered Hungary to play a game behind closed doors following racist abuse from supporters and homophobic flags during their Euro 2020.

Luke Shaw's foul on Loic Nego led to Roland Sallai putting Hungary ahead from the penalty spot in the 24th minute.

England recovered a point in the 37th minute when John Stones turned in a free-kick from Manchester City teammate Phil Foden.

England coach Gareth Southgate even took Captain Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling off with 15 minutes to go for Jordan Henderson and Tammy Abraham.

But England couldn't produce a winner, dropping points in World Cup qualifier at home for the first time since a draw against Ukraine in September 2012.

England remains top of Group I with games against Albania and San Marino remaining next month in the pursuit of automatic qualification for a place at the World Cup in Qatar next year.

Courtesy: Associated Press

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 13/10/2021 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Cristiano Ronaldo on fire, Denmark qualify and Hungary halt England at Wembley

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

 

France are the champions

After the frustration in the Euro 2020, the World Champions – France regrouped and decided to bag home a trophy this year. It really does not suit the style of a team like France to go trophy-less in a season where two events took place. The Euro was missed against Switzerland but the UEFA Nations League was won by beating Spain.

Despite leaving the semifinal win over Italy with an early knock, Ferran Torres was back in the starting XI for head coach Luis Enrique, while Rodri came into midfield for Koke and Eric Garcia replaced Pau Torres in the back.

Didier Deschamps made two changes from the semifinal against Belgium. Tchouameni started after impressing in his substitute role on Thursday, with Kimpembe also being brought in. Lucas Hernandez dropped to the bench, while Adrien Rabiot missed out after testing positive for coronavirus. Antoine Griezmann also earns his 100th cap for France.

It was a tight first 45 minutes of football between the two sides. France and Real Madrid striker Benzema had a chance early on despite suspicions of offside, but held the ball too long, allowing Cesar Azpilicueta to clear his deep cross.

Overall, La Roja were doing a nice job keeping France's vaunted attacking force of Benzema, Antoine Griezmann and Mbappe in check, with 17-year-old Barcelona midfielder Gavi playing well beyond his years.

Luis Enrique went to his bench for the first time at the hour mark, with Yeremi Pino on for Pablo Sarabia, and it was shortly after that when things started to pick up.

France lurched forward on the counter-attack with Mbappe and Benzema working down the left flank and the latter slipping a pass into Theo Hernandez, who stung a shot off the crossbar.

Moments after that, though, Spain would unlock the French defence, with Sergio Busquets filtering a pass into Oyarzabal, who muscled off a French defender and finished with aplomb for his left foot to make it 1-0 to Spain.

France's reaction was immediate. Just after Spain had concluded their celebration, veteran striker Benzema curled in an exquisite right-footed shot to bring the reigning world champions level.

Back to the bench went Luis Enrique with a quarter of an hour to go, this time swapping Koke and Gavi, but the momentum stayed with France and it yielded the decisive score in the final 10 minutes, albeit with some controversy.

Theo slipped a pass into Mbappe, who initially appeared offside, but the flag stayed down and the PSG man finished to earn his side a 2-1 lead. The Spanish players looked around waiting for the flag to be raised and then for VAR to overturn the goal, but the original call stood.

In hopes of getting a late equaliser, Pablo Fornals and Mikel Merino were brought into the fold for Rodri and Ferran Torres, respectively. Spain poured numbers forward and had a few good looks for a late leveller, including good cracks from Oyarzabal and Pino, only to be denied by France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris until the final whistle.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 11/10/2021 France are the champions

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

 

FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Argentina thrash Uruguay while Brazil fire blank

Brazil vs Colombia

For the first time in the World Cup qualifiers for Qatar 2022, Brazil have dropped points and one could point a finger towards Tite and claim, the Brazilian head coach started with the wrong set of players and corrected it after the break. It is always tough to pick up the tempo after making a mess in the first half.

Reuters report:

Both teams played an open game in the Caribbean heat but neither created many goalmouth chances, particularly in a stunted first hour.

The game came alive in the last half hour as both teams pushed for a winner, but both goalkeepers made excellent saves from long-range efforts to keep the game scoreless.

The result leaves Brazil at the top of the 10-team group on 28 points, nine ahead of Argentina, who play Uruguay later on Sunday. Colombia are fifth on 15 points.

The top four teams qualify automatically for Qatar and the fifth-placed side goes into an inter-regional playoff.

Brazil are still unbeaten after 10 qualifiers but their short passes in and around the box were met with a resolute Colombian defence, especially in the first half in front of a passionate crowd in Barranquilla.

After an uneventful first 45 minutes, the game burst into life as the second half went on.

Brazil's Alisson was the busier of the two keepers, thwarting long-range efforts from Mateus Uribe and Juan Fernando Quintero, while at the other end, substitutes Antony and Raphinha breathed life into the Brazilian attack and forced vital saves from David Ospina.

Argentina vs Uruguay

After the frustrating display against Paraguay Argentina bounced back extremely well against one of the toughest opponents in world football who are habituated to raise their game against Argentina and Brazil. But this time around, the Uruguayans were thrashed by La Albiceleste who essayed a thumping 3-0 victory.

Eight minutes before the break Messi floated a 35-meter pass into the area but it was missed by both advancing striker Nicolas Gonzalez and goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and somehow sneaked into the net.

Reuters report:

Six minutes later Lautaro Martinez swung and missed at a chance on the edge of the box but the loose ball fell into the path of Rodrigo De Paul who made no mistake.

 

Martinez made up for the miss when he converted a low cross from De Paul 17 minutes into the second half.

The win, combined with Brazil's 0-0 draw at Colombia earlier in the day, narrows the gap between leaders Brazil and second-placed Argentina to six points at the top of the 10-team South American qualifying group.

The top four teams qualify automatically for Qatar and the fifth-placed side go into an inter-regional playoff.

Uruguay, who ended the day fourth in the 10-team table, were unbeaten in eight matches coming into Sunday's match.

They took the game to their rivals, with Luis Suarez coming close on three occasions in the first half-hour, including one thunderous shot that came back off the post.

Argentina grew as the game went on, though, and Giovani Lo Celso missed a golden chance to open the scoring when he rounded the goalkeeper but delayed before striking a shot that hit the underside of the bar and the goal line before rolling to safety.

After the home side drew first blood they never looked like losing an unbeaten run that now stands at 24 games.

Edinson Cavani came on in the second half for Uruguay but it was Argentina who had the better chances in an entertaining game that featured only 15 fouls and no cautions.

Messi came close to getting his second and substitute Angel Di Maria could have made it four on two occasions only to twice see Muslera parry his goal-bound shots.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 11/10/2021  FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Argentina thrash Uruguay while Brazil fire blank

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

 

Tite remains pragmatic and needs to play with attacking intent

“Brazil left it late to win in Caracas and it was only possible when Tite decided to attack. Sadly, Tite still does not realize that with the players he has, a pragmatic approach would fetch him nothing.”

Venezuela were on course for a famous win against their illustrious South American neighbours – Brazil until the Canarinho struck late and escaped a face-saving victory at Caracas. Brazil might have won by a margin of 3-1 but the performance of the Selecao had been far from impressive.

Venezuela had managed just four points before the encounter last night. Having never beaten Brazil in an official match, the intention of Venezuela was to keep it tight and catch the opponent on the counter, as it was in their match last November; a contest the Selecao won 1-0 thanks to a late Roberto Firmino goal.

Venezuela started with Graterol between the posts, behind a back four of Hernandez, Mejias, Ferraresi and Gonzelez. Martinez and Soteldo sat in the midfield either side of captain Rincon, while an attacking trident of Penaranda, Ramirez and Machis looked to supply the side with goals.

Tite kept faith in 4-4-2 formation with Alisson in between the sticks and the dynamic pair of Thiago Silva and Marquinhos returned at the centre-back position. Olympic star Arana was introduced to the left-back position while, as usual, Danilo occupied the right-back position.

Fabinho and Gerson took the centre-midfield positions while Lucas Paqueta was deployed as a number 10 – switching from left to centre while Everton Ribeiro occupied the wide right region.

Gabriel Jesus and Gabigol were two attackers.

Neymar was unavailable due to suspension.

Venezuela shocked the visitors with a deserving lead.

Within five minutes of the match, a pass from the right cut through the Brazil defence for Soteldo, who was unable to get the ball out from under his feet to have a strike at goal until a shaky Danilo cleared it – it was an early warning sign for Tite.

Gabigol found space to turn 20 yards from goal and drags a left-footed shot across the goalkeeper - missing the inside of the far post as it goes narrowly wide

A clever move ends in a fantastic finish as Soteldo came across to the right in order to pick up the ball, before chipping an inviting cross towards the penalty spot. Ramirez is stationed perfectly to nod a deft header into the back of the net - leaving Alisson sprawling.

Yet again, Tite’s right flank was fragile and time and again the opposition has exploited that region, still, Tite seems to be out of ideas to protect that area. He has been using Ribeiro and Danilo for a while, but the results remain frustrating whereas he has better options to enrich the right flank.

Eight minutes later, Danilo’s low cross was fizzed into the penalty area for Paqueta, who was unable to get a clean strike on the ball. The ensuing scramble in the penalty area got the way of the Manchester Jesus, who was able to get a clear sight at goal - missing the target by inches! His blushes were saved, however, as the linesman’s flag was raised after a slight delay as he was unable to keep onside.

Twelve minutes later, Paqueta played Ribeiro clear-through on goal, who took a touch to set himself before having a left-footed strike at goal. Ferraresi managed to get a touch to the shot - which sent it over the goalkeeper and off the crossbar before it was turned behind for a corner – a chance missed, because these days, Ribeiro does not have the clinical touch to score such goals.

Meanwhile, Danilo looked to cut inside and play a cross to the far post but a fantastic tackle from Gonzalez put the ball out of play for a throw-in, allowing his side to reorganize.

Again, Ribeiro's delivery towards the six-yard box was met by a punch from Graterol - who did well to clear his lines confidently.

Ribeiro executed a backheel flick in order to control Gabigol’s leading pass inside the penalty area, but two Venezuelan defenders converge and squeeze out the winger - shielding the ball out of play for a goal-kick.

The Brazilian midfield failed to overcome the resistance put up in by Venezuela holding midfielders while their right and left backs consistently pressed the wingers and full-backs to cut short any sort of threats.

Brazil simply lacked pace and creativity in an ordinary first half display whereas, against a struggling side, the Selecao were expected to dominate from the start.

Tite was relying heavily on his chosen ones and a system that never triggers the intention to attack, rather pragmatism dominates more.

After the break, Tite was forced to fix the right flank and introduce the dynamic Raphinha, who made an immediate impact.

Raphinha’s delivery from a set-piece on the left found the head of Thiago Silva - who powered it home with a powerful header but the linesman’s flag was raised immediately for offside which VAR confirmed.

With Raphinha injecting versatility on the right and creating all sorts of problems for Venezuela, Danilo was still proving to be the weak link - Soteldo shifted down the left flank, fooling Danilo in the process as he opened up space for a pass inside to Machis. The winger took a speculative shot from a long way out but lacked enough sharpness.

Paqueta was substituted for the in-form Vinicius Junior whose presence could be felt soon. He started dominating the left-flank with his pace and dribbling and which reminded everyone why was not Vinicius started by Tite?

The left and right flank started to click and it was time for Fabinho to take the responsibility to step up and mobilize the midfield while Gerson was complimenting him.

The mobility at the midfield and right flank led to a corner - Raphinha’s outswinging corner found the head of the Marquinhos, who rose high to force the ball between the goalkeeper’s gloves and the post!

The goal came with just 19 minutes remaining of the match.

Tite brought on Antony for more dynamism in place of a frustrating Jesus while Emerson Royal came in for the dismal Danilo.

The Yellow Machine started functioning rightly.

Vinicius’ shot was pushed back into danger by Graterol, who gifted possession to Gabigol inside the six-yard box. Gonzalez’s desperate lunge in order to dispossess the striker was mistimed, as he caught the forward and brought him down – penalty to Brazil and Gabigol scored from the spot-kick.

Raphinha was decisive yet again, bursting into the penalty area and squaring a lovely pass to Antony - whose finish at the second time of asking is his first goal for Brazil in his first appearance.

Brazil left it late to win in Caracas and it was only possible when Tite decided to attack.

Sadly, Tite still does not realize that with the players he has, a pragmatic approach would fetch him nothing. 

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer on 08/10/2021 Tite remains pragmatic and needs to play with attacking intent

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

World Champions reach the final

In one of the thrilling contests of this year, the World Cup Champions – France made it through to the final of UEFA Nations League by beating the number 1 team according to FIFA Ranking – Belgium. It was a fightback that would be etched in the memories of fans who watched the match live. When you fight, you don’t lose – France deservingly would meet Spain in the final.

Didier Deschamps shifted to a back three for this match, with Jules Kounde, Raphael Varane and Lucas Hernandez playing in defence while Antoine Griezmann featured just behind Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe upfront.

Meanwhile, Roberto Martinez started all three of his stars in Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, as Belgium were in control from the off, despite France looking dangerous on the counter-attack.

Just four minutes in, Hugo Lloris had to pull off an extraordinary instinctive save to deny De Bruyne, who was instrumental for Belgium in the final third.

The Manchester City midfielder was the player to find Yannick Carrasco, who cut in from the left and unleashed a low strike that left Lloris with no chance in the 37th minute.

De Bruyne also teed up Romelu Lukaku three minutes later and the Chelsea striker pulled off a thunderous effort to beat the France goalkeeper from a tight angle.

France tried to bounce back after the break and dominated the ball, but Antoine Griezmann wasted a huge chance to pull one back just before the hour mark.

Les Blues finally managed to hit the back of the net in the 62nd minute, when Kylian Mbappe set up Karim Benzema, who sent the ball past his Real Madrid teammate Thibaut Courtois.

Deschamps' men pushed for an equaliser and managed to grab one seven minutes later when Griezmann won a penalty, one which was converted by Mbappe.

From that point on it was an end-an-end game, with France trying to build on their momentum but lacking a finishing touch as Mbappe and Benzema failed to net a winner.

Lukaku thought that he completed a brace in the 87th minute when he netted a third for Belgium, but his goal was ruled out by VAR due to offside.

 Then, Paul Pogba's brilliant free-kick crashed again the crossbar, but one minute later Theo Hernandez unleashed a strike from the edge of the box to net the decider and complete France's impressive comeback.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 08/10/2021 World Champions reach the final

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

Young Spain reach the final

It was time for revenge against the Euro Champions for a Spanish unit that is still young but bustling with energy and motivation. The opportunity came in the semifinal of the UEFA Nations League. The Italians failed to reach the final as young Spain would feature in the final.

 Ferran Torres bagged a brace to help Spain hold off a late charge from 10-man Italy in a 1-2 victory in the semi-finals of the 2021 Nations League finals on Wednesday night at the San Siro in Milan, Italy.

The Manchester City man hooked up twice with Mikel Oyarzabal in the first half to give Spain a comfortable two-goal advantage at the break. They were also helped by a sending off for Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci, however, the reigning European champions showed their pedigree and fought back late through a goal from Lorenzo Pellegrini to make it a nervy finish for the visitors.

Spain boss Luis Enrique surprised everyone by giving 17-year-old Gavi his international debut, and the youngster provided a lift in midfield, helping Spain get off to a good start. La Roja took the lead when Ferran Torres guided home a pinpoint cross from the left-wing from Oyarzabal to hand Spain a 0-1 advantage.

Moments later it was almost 0-2, as a Marcos Alonso shot was fumbled by Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and was about to cross the line, only for Bonucci to make a last-gasp clearance.

Italy had it all there to equalise shortly after the hour-mark, first through Federico Bernardeschi, whose effort was saved by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon, and then a minute later from Lorenzo Insigne, who sprayed his shot wide with just Simon to beat.

The breaks continued to go Spain's way, as a foolish elbow from Bonucci on Sergio Busquets resulted in a second yellow for the veteran Italian defender, leaving the Azzurri with 10 men with more than a half of football remaining.

Luis Enrique's men were happy to take advantage and another link-up between Oyarzabal and Ferran Torres saw the latter head in a cross from the former for a 0-2 Spain lead.

The Asturian boss was forced to go to his bench early in the second half, with goal-scorer Ferran Torres leaving with a slight injury and replaced by Yeremi Pino.

Italy brought more energy to the fight to start the second half, but it was Spain coming the closest to scoring next when Yeremi's floated-in cross reached Oyarzabal, who headed wide of goal.

On the whole, Spain were largely content to simply possess the ball and not try too hard at padding their lead, and their casual play nearly gifted what would have been a massive goal for the Italians had they not flubbed the chance off a Sergio Busquets turnover.

Back to the bench went Luis Enrique for fresh legs, with Mikel Merino for Koke and Bryan Gil for Pablo Sarabia, and it was nearly three for Spain when Yeremi crossed for Marcos Alonso, but Donnarumma did well to get low and make the save.

Spain would rue the misses, as Italy suddenly grabbed a goal in the late stages when a Spain corner kick led to an Italy counter-attack led by Chiesa, who fed Pellegrini and it was an easy sweep into the net to cut Spain lead to 1-2.

In the end, though, Spain would hang on to punch their ticket to Sunday's final, where they will face either Belgium or France.

One should not question either Luis Enrique's decisions or his press conference remarks, as what the Spain boss has achieved with this set of players is worthy of praise and not criticism.

Luis Enrique led La Roja to the 2020 European Championship semi-finals and the Nations League final by beating Italy in Milan, where they hadn't lost an official match since 1925.

Spain cruised past Italy with Gavi in the starting XI, Marcos Alonso at left-back, two left-footed centre-backs and without a natural striker. So, whatever you say, Luis Enrique takes the risk and produce results.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 07/10/2021 Young Spain reach the final

Thank You

Faisal Caesar