Look like a faded force compared to 2014. Can't see them qualifying.
Group E (Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia)
- Thread starter Samid
- Start date
I will be surprised if they get more than 1 point. They have been very poor, even lost to Tunisia recently.
Should be an interesting battle for the 2nd spot between Switzerland and a serbian national team who is on their way up recently.
Matic just posted some writings about his phone/number being hacked, not sure why media placing it in section regarding WC.
Getting friendly with Willian?
And with Casemiro.Getting friendly with Willian?
Easier group? This is just about as hard as you can get. The weakest team is probably Swiss but they are not walk over, your team need to turn up in order to beat the Swiss, which you must. Because you can easily drop points to the other 2. I would say 2nd place is hardest to guess, I bet on Serbia.
According to a Brazilian perspective, I'd say this group is perfect for Brazil. It isn't as hard as we must work like an ant to make it through; it isn't as easy as we cannot warm up enough to prepare us for the other big bosses of the competition. Even though no one of them must be underestimated like pushovers, I don't really think Brazil is bound to drop any point to anyone there... perhaps against Serbia in the last match if Tite decides to spare some players to the next stage. I just say that because this Brazilian squad is very strong and they don't seem overconfident to belittle their opponents.
As to Costa Rica, they don't look like as good as they were in 2014 as far as I could realize not only in their last matches but also in the Qualifier ones. But they may bounce back in time, who knows?
You can't be serious! they're the strongest. Costa Rica have been awful
Brazil will score 5 or 6 goals against Costa Rica
Brasil
Switzerland
Costa Rica
Serbia
Switzerland
Costa Rica
Serbia
My definition of EASIER or DIFFICULT, is about difficult to beat on the other teams, and difficulty to predict the 2nd team. I don't expect Brazil will give us surprise, at least not in group stage anyway.
Costa Rica might not be as good as last time but who picked them last time? CR has the capability to score and this is unpredictable, not to Brazil of course. Serbia has the discipline at the back and MF and would probably beat the other 2, and might get lucky against Brazil as well if Brazil decided to rest their key players. Swiss isn't a Swiss knife anymore but their physical game can give you trouble.
Serbia have a good team, and a middle three to compete with any.
Interestingly, Coutinho played in midfield in Brazil's last friendly. Maybe some last minute changes by Tite?
It was tested since the last games in the wc qualifiers. In the group stage the team will be:
Casemiro
Paulinho Coutinho
Willian Gabriel Jesus Neymar
In knockout games is possible that Fernandinho will start.Paulinho Coutinho
Willian Gabriel Jesus Neymar
Its in fact a decent joke. Hope people will pay attention in the flag..
Neymar injured ? Seems to have some sort of ankle knock.
No match thread for this?
It seems Brazil doesn't have much imagination in their side.
Costa Rica are comfortably keeping them at arms length
It seems Brazil doesn't have much imagination in their side.
Costa Rica are comfortably keeping them at arms length
How can we be in the 78th minute and Neymar not have a card for simulation? Disgusting. Unwatchable. Punk.
Brazil surely have to mix up their team now. Three forwards + Coutinho is far top heavy especially for knock outs. Add in Paulinho who's instinct is to get to edge of the box and they'll have issues against a genuine big hitter.
Reminds me of 2006 when they tried to fit Ronaldo, Adriano, Kaka and Ronaldinho into the same team and that flopped v France.
Reminds me of 2006 when they tried to fit Ronaldo, Adriano, Kaka and Ronaldinho into the same team and that flopped v France.
Brazil and Serbia have all to play for now, this should make for one of the better last group stage matches!
Looks like Swiss have done it again, in fairness they played well second half. Seems to be a trend with how the Brazil game panned out now.
Most interesting thing from this is group winner most likely to play Germany.
Most interesting thing from this is group winner most likely to play Germany.
Its a trend in this wc so far. Defensive teams making the favorites suffer to win. France x Australia and Spain x Iran are two examples.
This group has an exciting last round. Serbia must beat Brazil to go through. I can't see it. Brazil will get the draw at least. A draw could put Serbia through on goal difference if the Swiss lose.
However, this group is invalidated because of the non-penalty. We do not have the correct standings. It makes football look like a parody of sport.
However, this group is invalidated because of the non-penalty. We do not have the correct standings. It makes football look like a parody of sport.
Brazil will turn on the style and finish the job. 2-0. Wrong and non-calls are part and parcel of the game.
You are fine with this? It's a pantomime. If you don't respect the rules, why have them?
What penalty are people referring to? Anyone with a gif or video?
I respect the rules but all im saying is they'll always be bad calls in the game of football and sports in general. How many past outcomes would you have to 'invalidate' because of bad calls? VAR is a step forward and more advances will be made as time goes by but we'll never achieve perfection.
Well I saw that in the highlights as thought Mitrovic was physical with the Swiss players as well, 50-50 I would say.
Bolded being the key word here, how the hell he wasn't awarded a penalty is beyond me.
Apparently Douglas Costa is out of the tournament.
Blow for Brazil. He should be starting ahead of Willian.
I'm a big Willian fan but he hasn't been great this World Cup. Although I did see him play nicely for Brazil in a couple of pre World Cup friendlies. I would have started Douglas Costa in that last match and see how he did.