So the prestigious World Cup 2014 in Brazil (or Brasil…) starts in 5 days now. So seen as we haven’t covered the World Cup recently I thought that it would be the perfect opportunity to write about it.
In this blog, the focus will be on the top 8 teams in the world cup. Just a preview or a prediction if you like as to how far they will go in this summers competition. So, let’s begin.
Argentina:
Along with Brazil, Argentina probably fits into the second tier of favorites, one notch below Spain and Germany. Playing on their home continent will help. And no other country can boast the attacking weapons Argentina does, even without the ostracized Carlos Tevez. Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel di Maria form a fearsome fivesome of forwards. With a solid corps of midfielders and defenders, a semifinal berth should fall within the Albiceleste’s capabilities.
Belgium:
No other country can boast anywhere near as much young talent as Belgium does, in spite of only being the size of Maryland (US state) and counting just 11 million citizens – Eden Hazard and Vincent Kompany and Jan Vertonghen and Romelu Lukaku and Christian Benteke and Kevin De Bruyne are just a few of the great names coming out of Belgium. In spite of their age, they are already an outsider for the title, boasting more than enough talent in every line to match up with just about anybody the World Cup can throw at them. But they are also internationally inexperienced, meaning a quarter-final showing would be a fine result.
Brazil:
There is no ambiguity whatsoever about what is being demanded of the 11 lining up in the gold and green jerseys come June. The Brazilians expect Brazil to lift their sixth World Cup. Plain and simple. To make amends, in a sense, for 1950, when the only other World Cup on Brazilian soil was lost to Uruguay in the final – a national tragedy long in the memory.
The task at hand, however, is much less straightforward. The pressure will be crippling, even more so than in 1950. And, more alarmingly, the talent might not be there. Certainly, Brazil won the Confederations Cup. But this is no vintage Brazilian side. Neymar will surely dazzle up front. But the rest of the team is young overall, suspect in some spots in the back, somewhat uncohesive in midfield, and lacking a consistent goal-scoring threat in attack. A semifinals elimination to either Spain or Germany is the most likely outcome.
France:
Deschamps must procure consistent performances from a brittle squad comprised of aging mainstays, temperamental stars and untested performers at the highest level. Ribéry offers potential salvation every time he steps onto the field, but he will be missing the World Cup due to injury. However his powers alone cannot eradicate the lingering concerns about the suspect mentality of a group reliant on erratic figures like Karim Benzema and Samir Nasri (also not going to the World Cup). Any outcome from a group stage exit to a quarterfinal berth remains firmly on the table depending on how this side molds together.
Germany:
A team full of crafty technicians who play exciting and winning football and are entering their prime. In Mesut Ozil, Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, Mario Gotze and oh so many others, Germany has the midfield depth to match anybody’s. And yes, that includes Spain. Consequently, anything less than a spot in the final will be a disappointment. Don’t be surprised if Germany lifts its fourth World Cup.
Italy:
After flaming out spectacularly in 2010, Italy decided it was finally time to rebuild and stop relying so heavily on the generation that won in 2006. With exciting young forwards Mario Balotelli and Stephan El Shaarawy stepping into bigger roles and a strong supporting cast emerging, the return was immediate. Italy reached the final of Euro 2012, losing to Spain, and fell to the same team on penalties in the semifinals of the 2013 Confederations Cup. This team is on the ascent but not quite there yet. A quarterfinals exit is most probable.
Spain:
Spain will enter the fray as one of the favorites. Its ability to join Brazil (1958 and 1962) and Italy (1934 and 1938) as consecutive winners hinges on whether it can find a way to outwit the athletic and robust approach of its fellow contenders. The trademark sharpness in possession must endure with lingering and potentially fatal questions in defense creating vulnerabilities when the opposition counters. Whether this group – perhaps just on the other side of its best with Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez not at their peaks – can muster that panache again or pursue the necessary alternatives remains uncertain. A place in the last four represents a reasonable expectation for a team still among the best in the world.
Uruguay:
It isn’t fair to expect another place in the final four with foundational pieces Diego Forlán and Diego Lugano on the wane. The strength of this side now rests disproportionately up front with Suárez and Edinson Cavani leading the side with their constant menace and steady supply of goals. Their incisiveness is ably supported through midfield, but the defense might struggle against higher-quality opponents. A spot in the knockout stage represents a reasonable return for this outfit as currently comprised.
Thank you for reading this World Cup preview. We will try to produce as much content as possible moving forward towards the World Cup and during the competition itself. Including match reviews and previews!
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