Brazil cruised to a 3-0 win over Japan in the opening game of the Confederations Cup in Brasilia. Neymar opened the scoring just 3 minutes in with a sensational volley from a Fred knockdown. Paulinho secured the 3 points early on the second half with Brazil's second and Oscar teed up Jo for a third with the last kick of the game.
Unsurprisingly, Japan were set up to counter defending with two banks of four then looking to play outlet passes in behind the Brazil midfield to spark counters. The most impressive aspect of Brazil's performance was their ability to immediately press the ball when they lost possession high up the pitch and break up counters before they even started.
In possession Brazil's two fullbacks Marcelo and Dani Alves would push forward to provide width. Luis Gustavo would drop in between center backs David Luiz and Thiago Silva to form a back three, similar to the way Sergio Busquets plays at Barcelona. Had Japan been able to find quick outlet passes in behind the Brazil midfield, Brazil's center backs and Luis Gustavo would have been stretched at the back. However, the attacking midfielders and fullbacks did a fantastic job closing down the ball and making tactical fouls when necessary to prevent the counter attack.
On the rare occasions Brazil Japan were able to break quickly in behind the Brazil midfield, Thiago Silva and David Luiz were able to use their quickness and athleticism to slow them down. Brazil will get numbers forward and play high up the pitch so the athleticism of their center backs will be crucial in ensuring the opposition doesn't get in behind them on the break.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Euro U-21 Recap: Spain 3-0 Norway- Isco world class in semi
A pair of late goals from Isco and Alvaro Morata secured a 3-0 win for Spain over Norway and a place in the European Under-21 Championship final after Rodrigo had given the Spaniards the lead in the final minute of the first half.
Spain were terrific in the opening 45 minutes and would have killed the game off early were it not for a heroic performance from Norwegian goalkeeper Orjan Haskjold Nylan. Isco, by far the tournament's top player, terrorized Norway's back four. He nearly scored twice in the opening 20 minutes after two world class turns had opened up the space for him to shoot. His first effort went narrowly wide, Nylan produced a strong save for the second.
Spain played with their usual fluidity in midfield. Isco started on the left but was given a free role to roam side to side in behind Rodrigo, Christian Tello popped up on both wings and Thiago often dropped into deep positions alongside holding midfielders Asier Illarramendi and Koke to collect the ball. Their fluid movement created overloads throughout the midfield and allowed them to dominate possession as they always do. Isco and Tello provided a vertical threat in the final third. Isco always looked to move towards goal in possession and his penetrating passes in behind the Norway back four for Tello provided Spain with a directness the senior team has lacked in recent years.
Illarramendi, an incredibly well rounded midfielder, has also stood out for Spain at the base of midfield. His tremendous defensive positioning, athleticism and energy levels mean he frequently breaks up opposition attacks with interceptions and tackles but he's also a very technical player with fantastic passing range.
Spain lost urgency in their attacking play in the second half. They continued to dominate possession but Tello and Isco struggled to have an impact for long spells and Nylan was rarely threatened in the Norway goal. Despite Norway's inability to create any meaningful scoring chances for the first 80 minutes of the game, Spain were almost made to pay for their failure to kill the game off when the Norwegians went close with a free kick from the right wing in the final ten minutes.
In the end it was Isco who would ensure passage to the final for Spain with a world class feint at the top of the box and finish into the top corner with the outside of his right boot. Morata would add a third late in stoppage time- his fourth in four game (three of those as a substitute), making him the tournaments leading scorer.
Spain will play the winner of Holland and Italy in the final on Tuesday.
Spain were terrific in the opening 45 minutes and would have killed the game off early were it not for a heroic performance from Norwegian goalkeeper Orjan Haskjold Nylan. Isco, by far the tournament's top player, terrorized Norway's back four. He nearly scored twice in the opening 20 minutes after two world class turns had opened up the space for him to shoot. His first effort went narrowly wide, Nylan produced a strong save for the second.
Spain played with their usual fluidity in midfield. Isco started on the left but was given a free role to roam side to side in behind Rodrigo, Christian Tello popped up on both wings and Thiago often dropped into deep positions alongside holding midfielders Asier Illarramendi and Koke to collect the ball. Their fluid movement created overloads throughout the midfield and allowed them to dominate possession as they always do. Isco and Tello provided a vertical threat in the final third. Isco always looked to move towards goal in possession and his penetrating passes in behind the Norway back four for Tello provided Spain with a directness the senior team has lacked in recent years.
Illarramendi, an incredibly well rounded midfielder, has also stood out for Spain at the base of midfield. His tremendous defensive positioning, athleticism and energy levels mean he frequently breaks up opposition attacks with interceptions and tackles but he's also a very technical player with fantastic passing range.
Spain lost urgency in their attacking play in the second half. They continued to dominate possession but Tello and Isco struggled to have an impact for long spells and Nylan was rarely threatened in the Norway goal. Despite Norway's inability to create any meaningful scoring chances for the first 80 minutes of the game, Spain were almost made to pay for their failure to kill the game off when the Norwegians went close with a free kick from the right wing in the final ten minutes.
In the end it was Isco who would ensure passage to the final for Spain with a world class feint at the top of the box and finish into the top corner with the outside of his right boot. Morata would add a third late in stoppage time- his fourth in four game (three of those as a substitute), making him the tournaments leading scorer.
Spain will play the winner of Holland and Italy in the final on Tuesday.
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