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It was a screamer!!! Eventually the Selecao, via Oscar, tried to console themselves. This is the first time Brazil were this humiliated since losing 6-0 to Uruguay in 1920.
The Brazilians were stunned as Germany got a sweet revenge of the 2-0 loss in the final match of the 2002 World Cup tournament in Korea/Japan.
Do we say the Germans were so ruthless to have thrashed an incomplete Brazil squad rigorously? I'd rather say they were being fair on the host - as any other side, amongst the last four in this term's semi final, would have done same or almost.
Many would argue that if Neymar and Thiago Silva were to be available for the game, the Germans wouldn't have won. But I beg to disagree. With Neymar and Silva, the Selecao struggled against teams like Mexico, Chile and Columbia. They weren't playing like a side having great potential to outshine teams like the Netherlands, Argentines or Germans.
Infact, Brazil, as a nation and football team, depended on the young Barcelona ace. I believe the German football machines would have cruised past a Brazil side with Neymar and Silva. Perhaps, the difference would have being the goal margin; and that, is the case.
Where Brazil got it wrong...
I've never fancied Luiz Felipe Scolari's tactics and achievements at a global stage. He was just so fortunate to have managed a highly talented and spirited Brazil side - dominated by the likes of Ronaldo, Denilson, Cafu, Rivaldo, Lucio, Juninho, Ronaldinho and the rest of them. He eventually won the World Cup in 2002 - but has since failed to prove his worth as an ideal manager, even at the West London Club, Chelsea.
I kept on perceiving exempting old legs and big stage experienced players was a blunder on the side of the manager. I was proved right when the Selecao lost Neymar. A prolific player like Kaka, who was also exceptional for AC Milan last season, shouldn't have been left out of the provisional list - following his experience and creativity. The 2007 FIFA World player of the year would have served as an impact substitute for his home country. But the former Chelsea manager wanted the creativity of only one player.
Scolari couldn't plan for the worse - should key players be injured. Hence, he built a whole team on an individual, Neymar, who even isn't very decisive. The 2002 World Cup winner, who led a balanced squad to Korea/Japan, suddenly forgot the fact that a team with a collective philosophy would achieve better than a squad dependent on an individual.
After Neymar had been ruled out, a tactical manager would introduce Chelsea's Willian, who plays for the collective, to fill the void. Willian was backed by the suspended captain Silva and some other sports journalists as the right man for the semi final job. However, amid tactical suggestions, Scolari preferred little Bernard, ahead of the Chelsea man.
Interim captain David Luiz was so anxious to make the difference. As such, he often overlapped and caused Brazil some cheap goals - the very reason why Jose Mourinho had to flush him to the French capital club, Paris Saint Germain. Felipe Scolari should have tactically moved Luiz to the midfield, as done in Chelsea, knowing well he'd always nurse that zeal to bring change.
In a nutshell, Brazil got it wrong because Scolari wasn't really tactical enough to bring a change in the absence of their hero.
For the sake of the future, the Samba nation must deem it needful to adopt a collective approach, rather than building a team on one man.
Brazil, again without their only attacking hope, Neymar, will face an injured Netherlands side who could snatch the third place position from the individual-oriented host country.
I tip Netherlands to grasp the Bronze award.