Copa America Final Review: Brazil 3-0 Argentina

Here was how we see the match went down. Argentina lost not because of their lack of quality...duh...Individually, Argentina had the best team in the competition but in this final, the reasons for thier loss was tactical and also effort. The boys from Brazil just wanted it more. Lets look at how the teams set up.

Brazil played a 4-5-1 system. Alex and Juan make up the central defence while Gilberto and Maicon are the fullbacks. The difference maker was in Brazil's midfield set-up. Gilberto Silva, who was suspended was replaced by Josue. He came in to form a defensive central midfield pairing with Mineiro. The two of them were used as sweepers behind the three attacking midfielders. They are Robinho(left), Baptista(centre) and Elano(right). Elano was to get injured and replaced by Daniel Alves who played the exact role. Up front, Wagner Love led the line for the Brazillians.

This is just our opinion but i think Argentina played the exact same system. Milito and Ayala was flanked by Heinze and Zanetti at the back. Playing in front of them are Mascherano and Cambiasso. Tevez led the creative trio of Messi, Riquelme and Veron.

So why Brazil won and Argentina lost. Lets observed it tactically. Argentina came out as favourites and like favourites, their game plan was to attack at Brazil. We cant really fault them because they are an attacking team. That was what thier good at. What spoilt their party was that Brazil had set out to frustrate the Argentinians. Thier plan was to defend with numbers and counter with speed and directness. It worked out perfectly for them.

Argentina was like a team where "too many cooks spoil the broth" They had to many players having a creative free role it seems. Veron, Messi and Riquelme were all trying to create and to us, got in each others ways. They were trying to play pretty short passing football, going for the perfect goal. They were not direct enough with their play. Most of thier attacks were broken down. There was not much width in their play especially on the left. Veron and Riquelme usually floats around in the middle. They were too narrow in thier approach, trying to play through the centre. Another factor could be the choice of using Carlos Tevez as the lone man upfront. Why didnt they used Crespo? Why not drop Veron, place Tevez down the right with Messi down the left. Crespo would do better against the big boys of Alex and Juan. Thrpughout the match, Tevez was outmuscled. Crespo had an injury but he was fit and cleared to play.

Dunga got it right big time. The two defensive midfielders and the two central defenders dominated in their zones. It helped that Argentina were playing into thier hands by coming from the middle. Dunga set out his team much like the team of World Cup 1994, strong defensively and lethal in the counter. Back then they had a Bebeto, Rai and Romario to do the damage. And he drew in his playing experience for this game. Brazil defended stoutly in numbers and in their respective zones. Everytime they lose the ball, 11 yellow shirts get behind it. They let Argentina enter their half before applyinh pressure, not allowing space and time for the Argentinians. It was good to see Love and Robinho tracking back into their zonal defending positions. Brazil were very disciplined in their defensive duties. I wonder if Kaka and ROnaldinho were present, will they get that same defensive discipline, i doubt so.
Dunga set out his team to defend and strike with pace on the counter. Against an aging and slow backline of Argentina, it was a great idea. Brazil had willing runners with pace with the likes of Alves, Robinho and Maicon. They did not play tick tock football. Once regain possession, they looked to attack directly with pace, not allowing the opposition to regroup. Direct counter attacking football were the catalyst for all three goals. Let us look at the goals.



Brazil won it in midfield. Simple direct long ball behind the defence. We think Roberto Ayala should be analysed here. Why was he far behind his defensive line? HWy wasnt he in line with his partner Milito? A simple long ball. We think that Ayala could have done more to get to the ball first. Its not as though he was sprinting for that long ball. Baptista was also to us, given too much time and space. The fatal error obviously there was to let him shift it onto this right leg. But then again we are here and not on the field. HAHA



Second goal came from a neat one two down the right flank which released Maicon whose cross was steered into his own net by Ayala. A torrid final for him. The key here was pace and directness. A straightforward give-and-go fused with the pacy off the ball movement by the mobile Brazillians unlocked Argentina's defence. Watch Argentina's midfield during that give-and-go. Three midfielders were drawn to the ball, allowing space for Maicon on the right. Yes u can argue Ayala could have let it go for Abondanzieri but there is Wagner Love within striking distance as well. I dont think he had a shout from the keeper either.



The last goal summed up Brazil's game plan of the day. Off the poor free kick by Riquelme, three passes opened Argentina up. Robinho to Love. Love ran at Argentina's defence. They kept backing up allowing him to run. Should have just fouled him. Why? The last two players in defence for Argentina was Riquelme and Mascherano. It was worth the foul. Riquelme's lack of defensive awareness in such situations were paarent to all as Dani Alves just ghosted in behind him to slot the ball home. Pace..Direct..Simple..That was the name of the game for Brazil in this game.

Besides the tactical aspect, it was clear that Brazil wanted it more and worked harder for it. They got behind the ball everytime they lost it. They won the 2nd balls and were more committed to their challenges. Argentina looked labored and lack movement. Messi was seen at times just walking and ball watching. Maybe the media hype has got to they boy's head. Brazil put in the effort and was duely rewarded. The tags of underdogs did not apply any pressure on the Samba Boys. Argentina felt the heat of being overwhelming favourites and crumbled under the weight of expectancy.