by fcb Tue Aug 19, 2008 5:32 pm
Dunga tried his normal tactic of keep it conservative, keep it slow, keep it boring, let them attack us, foul them a lot, and we'll hit them on the counter.
But it was Argentina's day because they were playing slightly braver football and also got bounces/deflections going their way. The first goal is a perfect example - Gago's pass was meant for Messi, but it just happened to go to Di Maria who then put in a super cross for Aguero to convert.
The Brazilians didn't play well individually...lots of poor passing (surprising number of long balls) and bad control in midfield. Diego, Anderson, Lucas, etc. were f@cking shite. I just don't understand Dunga's philosophy of being so conservative. When Argentina went 2-0 up and Brazil started attacking and the likes of Pato, Marcelo, etc. started playing with a bit more freedom and flair, you could instantly see how much more dangerous they became.
Also, why keep Pato on the bench
Ronaldinho...what an awful game and a generally very poor tournament as well. He looks even slower, unfit, and uninspired than he did with Barça last season, which is shocking. What made it even more surprising in today's game in particular is how he hardly got involved. Normally even when having a bad game, he's always getting involved, always trying to make things happen, just not succeeding in it. But today he was a spectator all game long. It wasn't even as if Dunga was trying to play him in the central no. 10 position which hasn't worked well in the past...today Ronaldinho was playing further forward. Milan have a real job on their hands to get him to anywhere near his peak level.