Hahaha!
So I had predicted that Brazil was more likely to beat Germany in yesterday's match. And boy was I wrong.
Still, I am not afraid to make a prediction for this game either. So here it goes:
Argentina would beat Holland!
There I go again.
But this time, I am more sentimental with my analysis than anything else. After all, I have liked Argentina since the 90s. But my affection for the Albeceleste became even more potent when Lionel Messi arrived on the scene.
So I won't give much analytic reasons for saying Argentina would win this game, except that I want Messi to be at his best, and I hope he is at his best. And if he is at his best, then it is most likely his team would be on the winning side.
Because, just like the Roberto Baggios, the Ronaldo DeLimas, the Zinadine Zidanes and the Diego Maradonnas of this world, Messi is one of those players who can single-handedly win a big match.
Unfortunately, the match has started while I was tyoing this, so I will stop here for now, and continue later. Enjoy the game. :)
So many people have said to me that they think Germany will thrash Brazil in the first semi-final to be played tonight.
But all I can say to that is "we shall see"!
No wait!
I never say that! No way!
How would I be able to brag after the match if I said "we shall see"?
I mean, what shall we see exactly?
It is better to be an analyst who makes judgments than one who constantly lives in the fear of being wrong. This is why I call myself the "True Football Analyst". hahaha
Okay, so Germany:
Well, I never bought into the German machine myth I must say. I have seen great German footballers come and go. But to me it's no different from seeing great Italian footballers come and go, or great English players come and go.
Wait a minute! Have there ever been any great English footballers? I don't think so.
Sorry about that David Beckham. Say hi to Tom Cruise and Calvin Klein for me.
So Germany had a decent team at the 2010 World Cup. Everyone thought they would win that world cup after beating Argentina 4-0 (every one except me of-course - damn I never ever read matches by the final score-line. NEVER!). The German threat was not at all diminished by the fact that Spain only beat them by 1-0 (eventhough I still remember that that was the most one-sided football matches I ever saw featuring two powerhouses).
But I made my judgment about Germany when I saw them at the Euro 2012. Their game against Italy was again the most one-sided Euro cup game at that level. It ended 2-1 in favor of Balotelli, Montolivo and co, but my friends agreed with me that it could easily have been 6-0 before Mezut Ozil got that consolation penalty.
So if there was ever a time that Germany could prove themselves, it is this world cup.
1. Neymar is injured. That is a huge blow to the Brazilians. Huge.
2. If they pass Brazil, and Argentina (4-0) beats Holland, then it should be easy for them to take the trophy. Or is it now?
3. They have gotten a boost (in my opinion) by the fact that tiki-taka has been learned (and very well too) by all of the German players who play at FC Bayern Munchen. There is some evidence of this as Joachim Lowe has followed Pep Guardiola's example of trying Philip Lahm in a central midfield position.
4. The young squad of 2010 have gained much more experience and have been kept essentially together.
Nevertheless, despite all of these advantages, I can only say that yes, Germany should be a more confident force this time around. I still doubt that they will be able beat Brazil and lift that cup. Especially if Argentina beats Holland.
Now Brazil:
The biggest news about them is that they've lost Neymar, thanks to that dreadful challenge by Zuniga of Colombia.
What makes Neymar so special to me is that despite his young age of 22, and despite how much pressure he has had to deal with, starting with those annoying remarks of comparison with Lionel Messi by Pele, then considering the enormous and increasing weight put upon the entire Brazillian team and Neymar especially by the Brazillian fans. And the fact that the entire world criticizes them (unfairly in my opinion) about their victories not being convincing enough. These things made me develop a huge respect for Neymar, who somehow managed to keep a calm head and play some dazzling football before he got injured.
I also wont be the least bit surprised if the other Brazillian attackers who have been under the young shadow of Neymar raised their games on this occasion. Especially Hulk, who has been growing in confidence and gradually returning to his known level of skill with each passing game.
At the end of the day it boils down to one game, and the Brazillians definitely have the talent. And for me, I just don't see what everyone sees in the German team that makes them so phenomenal.
So in terms of predictions, I can't predict who will win, or join those people who even go as far as predicting the score line (that's just crazy - even if it ends up being correct, honestly!).
What I can predict is that I will say that Brazil should have more possession (and that is more possession beyond the halfway-line). They should also create slightly more more chances. And I would expect them to likely be rewarded with the first goal at some point.
Not to say that Germany cannot get the early goal through some counter-attack/defensive error, or some set-piece that catches the Brazillian defenders in an awkward position.
All-in-all I give the Brazillians a better chance of winning. But we know that football can be an adulterous b#tch sometimes.
Anyway, enjoy the game. And please share your comments and your predictions. Especially those of you that disagree. ;)
Watch out for
Semi Finals pt2: Brazil v Germany | Argentina v Holland
Coming soon.
Also check out the amazing True Football Analysts Community
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