What: Brazil vs. Ivory Coast, Group G, Matchday 2
When: Sunday, June 20, 2010, 2:30 pm ET
Where: Soccer City, Johannesburg
It doesn’t get any easier for the Elephants. Days after drawing with Portugal, the Ivorians—the fan favorites of the African teams—now take on the top team in the world. But they don’t seem to have much fear, and with several more days of respite, Didier Drogba is that much further along in recovering from his broken elbow. Be that as it may, this is Brazil. They didn’t look like world-beaters against North Korea, but they did enough to get the three points. And they showed moments of both unified and individual brilliance, the kind that could easily unlock the Ivory Coast’s tight defense.
Brazil
Brazil needed 55 minutes to break a scoreless deadlock with the ultra-defensive North Korea. But they did break it. And they got three points to go top in Group G. Having the chance to work out the kinks against the Asian minnows might have been the best bit of luck the five-time champs had. Against the Ivory Coast, they know they will be in a heavyweight bout and they will already be bloodied to some degree.
“Ivory Coast also will not let us play,” coach Dunga said. “But playing defensive or not, they have a lot of quality and speed. They will be careful, but will try to attack, too.”
When they do attack, Brazil have one of the world’s best backlines, including Lucio and Maicon. However, they showed some lackadaisical chinks in the wall on North Korea’s consolation goal—namely, that a well-placed long ball and running out of the midfield can bring about a goal—something the Ivory Coast surely noticed.
Ivory Coast
“[Brazil] are one of the best teams in the world without question, but I’m not scared of them,” Ivory Coast manager Sven-Goran Eriksson said this week. “Discipline and cohesion will be vital. That’s the way to beat Brazil.”
That’s the kind of confidence with which the Ivorians enter this match—not just searching for a result, but a win. Discipline and cohesion, at least defensively, shouldn’t be a problem. They had it in spades against Portugal, particularly in the form of the Toure brothers, Yaya and Kolo.
But the real way to beat Brazil is to make sure Drogba is on the field and getting chances. Eriksson has said “it wouldn’t be surprising” if the Chelsea dangerman got the start. The Brazilians have whined about Drogba’s arm cast, but FIFA have okayed it, so it’s a non-issue at this point. All that matters is that he will be out there.
Players to Watch
Brazil: Kaká. Relatively quiet in the opener, the Real Madrid midfielder will be key to the attack. Can he get the best of the Toure brothers?
Ivory Coast: Gervinho. Less famous than many of his teammates, the Lille midfielder must be the magician to unlock the Brazilian defense with a well-timed throughball or a move to create a man-up situation.
Final Analysis
Brazil is, well, Brazil. The battle between the attacking Maicon down the right side against Ivorian left back Kolo Toure might end up deciding the match. Most likely, that decision will go Maicon’s way.
Yaya wants future resolvedWorld Cup Preview: Brazil vs. North Korea, Group G
