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Neymar, Ganso & Brazil's other young stars need to grow up or face another Copa America debacle against Paraguay
A win is crucial to keep the Selecao on the right track in the tournament but a repeat of the immaturity that plagued their second half against Venezuela could prove disastrous
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9 Jul 2011 10:41:00
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COMMENT
By Daniel Edwards in Cordoba
As he prepares for the biggest game of his tenure so far, Brazil coach Mano Menezes knows that for the Selecao to fulfil their undoubted potential, he must solve the biggest problem currently plaguing the team. If he fails, then a negative result looms large against an honest, hard-working Paraguay side with plenty of ability of their own.
In Neymar, Ganso and Alexandre Pato, Menezes not only boasts three of the finest young talents in world football but also a trio of players who must be persuaded to keep their cool and maturity when things are going against them. In the first game against Venezuela, there were plenty of flashes of the former; unfortunately for the thousands of travelling fans decked in yellow, in the end they were overshadowed by the latter.
Not accustomed to the pressure cooker of European football in the same way as Pato, the Santos pair were undoubtedly the worst culprits for letting the tension and expectation get to them in a game which was supposed to be a walkover. Dangerous in the first half both individually and in association, Neymar and Ganso lost their way after the break as the minutes ticked away and the Vinotinto stubbornly refused to fulfil the role of valiant losers in La Plata.
Neymar was more guilty of this dip than Ganso, principally because he promised more early on. Cutting in from the left flank, the 19-year-old was a constant headache for opposite number Roberto Rosales, and helped create several excellent chances for his attacking colleagues. After half-time, however, it was as if a light had been switched off. The forward appeared to lose interest in the game, drifting aimlessly on the flanks and showing off some of his undoubted skills, to no real benefit for the team effort as a whole.
The No.10 meanwhile was intermittent in the first period, and non-existent in the second 45. The few times he got the ball, Ganso was far too eager to play the killer pass when a calm head and more maturity was called for. By the end he was stalking the pitch, shoulders hunched like a sulking child, while around him Venezuela were battling their way to an historic draw.
Of course, both men have previous in this respect. Neymar lost a lot of respect in Brazil for a display of inexcusable petulance in a Brasileirao game when denied the chance to take a penalty. An ugly confrontation from then-coach Dorival Junior ultimately led to Dorival's sacking, and at the time I made the point that the player had to grow up, and fast, if he was to fulfil the hype that surrounds him at every corner. Ganso as well showed his naivety, albeit off the pitch with constant fishing for a transfer, although on the pitch he appears more composed than his temperamental 'little brother'.
This is not to deny that these talents can make it at the highest level. Anyone who saw Neymar's constant probing and threat in the Copa Libertadores final against Penarol, or the imperious role his colleague plays in his natural No.10 position, will agree that these youngsters are players of astonishing potential. The time for excuses, however, finished the day that Menezes gave the pair a call-up to the Copa America. Talent is one thing but, as Paraguay will demonstrate with every chance they have on Saturday afternoon, maturity and a calm head are essential pieces of the puzzle as well.
To put it very simply, such a loss of urgency, focus and maturity will be mercilessly punished by the Guarani. Gerardo Martino has moulded a team that have intensity and drive to spare, and take delight in making life difficult for highly-strung opposition forwards.
Defenders such as Jorge da Silva and Dario Veron won't give an inch and have the ability to shut down an opposition attack, and the youngsters who lead Brazil's front line - along with Robinho, not exactly known for his patience and tenacity in the face of adversity - could see themselves frozen out of the game if the second half shambles against Venezuela is repeated.
By Daniel Edwards in Cordoba
As he prepares for the biggest game of his tenure so far, Brazil coach Mano Menezes knows that for the Selecao to fulfil their undoubted potential, he must solve the biggest problem currently plaguing the team. If he fails, then a negative result looms large against an honest, hard-working Paraguay side with plenty of ability of their own.
In Neymar, Ganso and Alexandre Pato, Menezes not only boasts three of the finest young talents in world football but also a trio of players who must be persuaded to keep their cool and maturity when things are going against them. In the first game against Venezuela, there were plenty of flashes of the former; unfortunately for the thousands of travelling fans decked in yellow, in the end they were overshadowed by the latter.
Not accustomed to the pressure cooker of European football in the same way as Pato, the Santos pair were undoubtedly the worst culprits for letting the tension and expectation get to them in a game which was supposed to be a walkover. Dangerous in the first half both individually and in association, Neymar and Ganso lost their way after the break as the minutes ticked away and the Vinotinto stubbornly refused to fulfil the role of valiant losers in La Plata.
Neymar was more guilty of this dip than Ganso, principally because he promised more early on. Cutting in from the left flank, the 19-year-old was a constant headache for opposite number Roberto Rosales, and helped create several excellent chances for his attacking colleagues. After half-time, however, it was as if a light had been switched off. The forward appeared to lose interest in the game, drifting aimlessly on the flanks and showing off some of his undoubted skills, to no real benefit for the team effort as a whole.
The No.10 meanwhile was intermittent in the first period, and non-existent in the second 45. The few times he got the ball, Ganso was far too eager to play the killer pass when a calm head and more maturity was called for. By the end he was stalking the pitch, shoulders hunched like a sulking child, while around him Venezuela were battling their way to an historic draw.
Of course, both men have previous in this respect. Neymar lost a lot of respect in Brazil for a display of inexcusable petulance in a Brasileirao game when denied the chance to take a penalty. An ugly confrontation from then-coach Dorival Junior ultimately led to Dorival's sacking, and at the time I made the point that the player had to grow up, and fast, if he was to fulfil the hype that surrounds him at every corner. Ganso as well showed his naivety, albeit off the pitch with constant fishing for a transfer, although on the pitch he appears more composed than his temperamental 'little brother'.
Terrible Trio | In top form, Pato, Neymar & Ganso can cause serious damage
This is not to deny that these talents can make it at the highest level. Anyone who saw Neymar's constant probing and threat in the Copa Libertadores final against Penarol, or the imperious role his colleague plays in his natural No.10 position, will agree that these youngsters are players of astonishing potential. The time for excuses, however, finished the day that Menezes gave the pair a call-up to the Copa America. Talent is one thing but, as Paraguay will demonstrate with every chance they have on Saturday afternoon, maturity and a calm head are essential pieces of the puzzle as well.
To put it very simply, such a loss of urgency, focus and maturity will be mercilessly punished by the Guarani. Gerardo Martino has moulded a team that have intensity and drive to spare, and take delight in making life difficult for highly-strung opposition forwards.
Defenders such as Jorge da Silva and Dario Veron won't give an inch and have the ability to shut down an opposition attack, and the youngsters who lead Brazil's front line - along with Robinho, not exactly known for his patience and tenacity in the face of adversity - could see themselves frozen out of the game if the second half shambles against Venezuela is repeated.
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