the protest will/should be rejected. It's up to the ref and clearly he felt it was okay.

Not sure I agree?

Silva, Cesar, Sandro, Hulk, Lucas, Pato, Oscar, Neymar?

Sounds pretty tasty to me tbh!

I'd suggest they're favourites for the next world cup and I don't base that on it being in Rio.

Spain will still remain the favourites no matter what

Then there's Germany, Italy, Holland who all have very strong teams

Holland's defense is far too weak I think.

It has been a long time since we had 5 starters

Worst all time? Hmh. Not so sure. Brazil had pretty dark periods too. I think it's the tricky selective memory again. Just think for a moment of the selection in, for example 1996. You had (bolded are the players that were WC in my opinion): Dida, Andre Luiz, Goncalves, Andre Cruz, Ze Maria, Amaral, Paulo, Conceicao, Savio, Giovanni, Ronaldo - what about that selection?

I think Brazil has, for the first time in years, potential: a great coach with a superb staff (didn't know Perreira is part of it), some talented players like Neymar, Oscar, Lucas, etc. and some routinee players like Maicon, Cesar or Thiago Silva. I think Brazil has quality, and they lack of 1 good AM or winger and 1 great striker. Maybe Pato can be the one?



Favorites? I do think it's a bit of an overstatement. On what basis? Because as I see it, Germany, Spain and even Argentina have a much better overall team.

Yeah, we haven't had that many starters in a long while, I think once in the 06 world cup

Watching Italy, my favourite NT against my country's headless chicken brigade will be nice, although Prandelli can basically send out the most ridiculous formation/line-up out there and they'd still win. Malta got beat 6-0 last Saturday because the players could barely bother to run in fear of getting an injury and miss out on the autograph session they'll have tomorrow with the Azzurri

Oh, yeah, agreed, I remember those days well. I also remember the downright ugly start to their 2002 qualifying campaign, and how it faltered before Ronaldo, Rivaldo and company came back on to see Brazil qualified, when most would have given them a fair chance of missing out in 2002.

And going back in time, I've read there were some real stinkers as far as the Seleção squad is concerned. That's why I said one of, because really, while these are okay-ish players, few that played in the match had something that you would call, shall we say, class. Forget world class (only JC came in that list, in my opinion).

It's got more to do with the overall approach of the game in young players, maybe they are too preoccupied with all the latest shenanigans, technology, even video games. It just has to play its part, even if a little. I mean without even going nostalgic the 90s had an overabundance of quality footballers all over the planet.

Now, it's just not the case, there are some great names, a few good ones, and then a whole lot of average (or shall I say rubbish) players. Maybe money has got to do a lot with it (it did back in the old days too, but not as much), and quality talented players are left out while the big clubs snap up show-boaters and one-hit wonders.

But yeah, it's affecting the overall quality. I remember all too well back in World Cup 2006, when Brazil could very easily field 2 world beating teams at once. It was a mix of old and new. Not many countries could boast such a scenario. Oh well, that time came and went.

Now though, I hear you when you say that they have got a lot of good things going for them: Big Phil yes, Perreira too, and then there are some good players in the mix, it's about harnessing them. They've got the world's best defender as captain, just pair him with someone good at the back to water-tight the defense.

And then focus on the attack. I just hope Pato can make the cut, and cut Neymar down to size while at it.

PS. Most footballing experts in Brazil are of the view that the show-boater (Neymar) is not the one to build the team upon. He just is not the type. Good old Pele even recently commented that Brazil is not going to win the World Cup as long as Neymar remains the focus. For what it's worth, he's just another Robinho.

Spain aren't favourites next time simply because they're going to be 4 years older - Iker will be about 35, Ramos, Pique, Arbeloa, Puyol - all over 30. In some cases well over it. Only young player at the back is Jordi and he'll be 27 or 8 in Rio!

Looking at their midfield Xavi will be near 37, Iniesta 32, Alonso 35 etc etc yadda yadda. Pattern is repeated all through their squad.

Point is this, their golden generation, are now aging and by Rio Brazil's team (currently with astronomical potential) will have matured and bloomed and will be installed as favourites. Spain will still have some young talent but it would be folly to suggest the next crop of players will be as good as this generation was.

I agree the latter 3 you mention have strong teams but none will be the favourites.

Brazil will also have a few over 30 in Rio, but their strongest players (Pato, Neymar, Oscar, Lucas, Sandro etc) are all at a great age with their potential ahead of them.

I think they're favourites.

Pele can't really be relied on for an opinion of any gravity

That said I'd personally build it around Oscar, Sandro and Lucas/Pato.

I think Neymar has a bit of work to mature, but I wouldn't count him out as a waster just yet

Yeah, sure, Pele is Pele. But nevertheless, I feel that he is right on this count. Neymar just does not seem to be a guy that can carry a team to gold. As was evident in the recent Olympics. Not only does he need some time to mature, he also needs to develop that sense of responsibility. Maybe he well.

Strangers things have happened, but yeah like you I'd build the team around Oscar, Pato and Lucas.

Not even there, I think you need to go to mid 90's for that. In the 06 world cup we had 5 players in the squad but they never played in the tournament together.

That's 5 Juve players, 5 Milan players and 1 Torino player.

He's also only 21 and it's very VERY rare for any team to build itself around a player so young. Only example I can think of is Messi and that was post-Rijkaard/Ronaldinho Barca where Pep was taking the team in a new direction. A gamble which paid off.

Does Neymar have the same potential? As yet I think it would be foolish to say he clearly does - but then 2 years ago no one at City would built their team around 20 year old Balo, but now he's 22 and while still mad clearly he IS maturing and his goal V Brazil and his performances for us since joining show he might just be able to be trusted with the team relying on him.



Oscar is marvellous. He's a special, special talent.

That's what people said about Barca before they blitzed the hell out of us.

I don't know, personally I wouldn't put Brazil under and favourites tag simply because they have shown nothing so far that woulf indicate that.

Yes they have a couple of Very talented players but from that list you mentioned, Pato is always injured, Neymar is nothing but a show pony - who yes has a couple of good moments but most of the time it's more show then product, unless he moves to Europe and does something noteworthy he won't improve, Lucas is talented but I'm still on the fence about him, Oscar is the one to watch out of those imo

So Germany play Kazakhstan today. According to Löw they will start with 6 midfielders - and no striker. I really hate this new trend Spain invented.

What people? No one gave us a hope!?

I sure didn't. Only the first leg did I believe we had a chance.



I think it's about potential and timing and hosting.

They have a very, VERY promising young squad which already has some fantastic, world class players in it. In 4 years they'll have matured. And they host the WC.

I know nothing is proven - but on paper they look very good indeed.

In fact they already ARE installed as favourites. I just checked bookie odds and they're favourites. Argentina and Spain are third and second depending on what bookie. But all favour Brazil unanimously.

Roma did it before Spain really.

But I know what you mean, it's annoying.

I was talking about in between the 1st and 2nd leg when people were suddenly talking about the end of their cycle because of the losses against Real and us

We'll see, I think they're automatic favourites for the bookies because they're the host nation, I'd like to at least see how they manouvre the group stage before I can even think about them as such

Penalty for Malta!

...

Buffon saves it!

Malta hit the post. Italy are really playing like crap.

How terrible can the CBs at the back be for Italy!! So ridiculous

Great shot though from Mifsud

Oh and Giaccherini is actually managing to look mediocre in this company! Says a lot!!

What're your feelings on this match? Do you follow Malta or Italy?

Giaccherini actually being used as an AM by Prandelli challenges for stupid points as much as Allegri's use of Urby in that same position

Italy. Our national team is barely that. I don't follow any of the local football so I don't even know any of the players on this team, that is unless you see them down at the club hotspots getting drunk off their @sses every weekend, but in a footballing sense, no

And at the end of the day, no matter how sh!t Italy are playing they'll still win this and Malta will never even come close to leaving from the bottom of the group.

Balo goal

Nice assist DS

Yet another dominant 1st half and lead thrown away by our inability to defend properly.

Lescott and Johnson are hilariously awful defenders. Put me in that team and we'd do no worse. I might actually put money on England not to qualify. We have to beat Montenegro, Ukraine and Poland now to win the group and considering we've won 0/3 so far against those teams, I don't see it.

Karate Kid

It's looking more & more true.

People used to get funny when the same was said about Robinho and how he was going to be a #1 world beater too, not really happened.

Yeah, Neymar seems to be in the same mold. I'd much rather have the hard-working Nilmar in my team than this guy, knowing how he would disrupt the gameplay with his shenanigans. Still, there is time to improve, maybe he will. But judging by past experiences, I'll give that a very slim chance.

If he stays in Brazil, then he'll stay at the same level. His little tricks and flicks will still look amazing because he's playing in a league that cannot really compare to the level in Europe. Should he move to a big club then we can really see if he's just a show pony or if he's the real deal

Agreed. But apart from his show pony attitude, it's his overall outlook of the game that worries me. Maybe that is something he can develop when (and if) he plays in a top European club. If not, then he's most probably going to stay out of the great players bracket, until and unless he does.

I can see that in players like Hernanes and Lamela - Neymar not so, at least not yet.

Hernanes? He's a completely different player you know. I don't think he's suitable as a comparison - he's not that kind of flashy trickster, never was, and besides he's not gonna make it either. He's good, but I don't think he has the potential to become real class.

Oh yeah, agreed, I was just referring to a player's attitude and show of commitment on the field. There is almost a night and day difference between both. But I don't know, I just like a player that hustles and gives his all during a game. If the greats are doing this, young prodigies should most definitely.

Not sure if that is anything more than a prototype, but clicky

Let's face it, it better not be because if they can't do anything about the heat, this WC is going suck worse than the one in S. Africa did. Which would be a mean feet in and of itself

And how could they ever move it to the winter? The most lucrative football occurs during that time, i.e. club football. No way for that to happen.

They should build domed stadiums and use air conditioning cool the heat off.

They should cancel the whole tournament. Artificial cloud? What if Muntari hits with one of his long range crackers the cloud and the whole thing falls down?

It's plain stupid.

I don't think you realise this but the funniest bit is about Muntari actually being called up to play for any WC let alone the one in 2022

the thought of that made me lol so hard!

Euros/WCs in Europe are bad enough in the summer, this is really going to put people off turning up. Why not host it somewhere that's actually ready and prove they can host?

Even if this worked, who wants to play with that thing over his head? It would be noisy as well.

money money money money money money!

Though, I'm quite excited since I might be able to attend that WC!

It's ok, they can play this game for another 6 years trying to come up with ridiculous ways to solve the heat problem until they realize it won't work. Around 2020 they can decide to give the WC to the US like they should have in the first place. We can choose 10 of our over 100 existing venues that hold over 50,000 and sell out everything even on short notice.