World Cup: QF: Brazil vs. Belgium, 7/6/2018

[BigT2002]

Is Marcelo playing?

 

[JayKing]

It's incredible that Brazil is about to play a 1/4 final of a WC with a #9 who has not scored once in the tournament. Is he getting shredded by the media over there?

For what I have read, he is not getting shredded quite yet because his work rate seems vital to Tite's system and to compensate for Neymar and Coutinho's shortcomings. Same with Willian. However Firmino is getting more and more praise and if Jesus fails to contribute significantly and Brazil go through, Tite will probably switch

 

[YEM]

I think Belgium surprise here

 

[JayKing]

Is Marcelo playing?

Yes, it's been confirmed this morning

 

[YNWA14]

For what I have read, he is not getting shredded quite yet because his work rate seems vital to Tite's system and to compensate for Neymar and Coutinho's shortcomings. Same with Willian. However Firmino is getting more and more praise and if Jesus fails to contribute significantly and Brazil go through, Tite will probably switch

Which is interesting given the first thing people talk about when referencing Firmino is his workrate and intelligence (well, aside from his teeth). I just can't see why Jesus continues to start despite Firmino being better in basically every possible way.

 

[Firsov99]

On paper this is a hell of a match up. But I just don't see how Belgium can take down this Brazil team. I would be gladly surprised if Belgium wins.

 

[ViD]

End of the road for the flop boy

 

[PanniniClaus]

Danilo is out for the tourney so Hazard vs Fagner is a big advantage. Very little drop off from Casemiro to Fernandinho.

Be interesting to see if Tite tries Firmino to start but he may not want to mess with things.

Belgium appear to be at full strength but will have decisions to make after getting outplayed by Japan until Chadli and Fellaini came on for Mertens and Carrasco...Fellaini is generally regarded as an "option" player best suited to changing the game as a sub....

I have the urge to say something derogatory about Courtois but i'm a Chelsea fan and i'll leave it be...

I don't have faith in Belgium to win when it counts so I'll take Brazil...yeah may have just cursed the Brazilians with that..

 

[N o o d l e s]

Danilo is out for the tourney so Hazard vs Fagner is a big advantage. Very little drop off from Casemiro to Fernandinho.

Be interesting to see if Tite tries Firmino to start but he may not want to mess with things.

Belgium appear to be at full strength but will have decisions to make after getting outplayed by Japan until Chadli and Fellaini came on for Mertens and Carrasco...Fellaini is generally regarded as an "option" player best suited to changing the game as a sub....

I have the urge to say something derogatory about Courtois but i'm a Chelsea fan and i'll leave it be...

I don't have faith in Belgium to win when it counts so I'll take Brazil...yeah may have just cursed the Brazilians with that..

Mertens should stay in but Carrasco can go

 

[Cassano]

Why isn't Marquinhos starting? He's easily Brazil's 2nd best CB

 

[Bon Esprit]

I'm hoping for a Neymar exit. 95th minute. Belgium scores the 2:1.

 

[Theokritos]

I'm surprised Belgium is winning this poll. On paper they look incredible. But on the pitch? They're good at pummeling lesser sides, but when have they ever won against a team of Brazil's calibre?

Brazil under the current coach managed to defeat:
Uruguay, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Bolivia, Venezuela; Germany, Croatia, Serbia, Russia, Austria; Mexico, Costa Rica; Japan, Australia.

Belgium under the current coach managed to defeat:
England* (B team vs B team), Bosnia, Czechia, Greece, Estonia, Cyprus, Gibraltar; Egypt, Tunesia; Costa Rica, Panama; Japan, Saudi Arabia.

Brazil also have some draws and defeats against South American sides on their record, but at least they have demonstrated the ability to defeat quality opponents. Belgium on the other hand have not demonstrated that ability in the games they had under Martínez against Spain, Portugal and Mexico (plus Russia and the Netherlands). Of course they can win nevertheless, but what makes the majority of voters here assume they really will? They still look a bit like an unproven commodity to me.

 

[Suiteness]

I'm surprised Belgium is winning this poll.

It's basically Neymar rage. People just want to see him out, it clouds judgement.

 

[Havre]

Brazil is by far the more balanced team. As others have pointed out the flanks don’t work for Belgium, but they don’t really have that many alternatives.

I would go super defensive if I were Martínez. Dembele for Mertens. Flood the central midfield. That should be enough for Mounier to cope defensively. Carassco I’m not sure. Martinez is too much of an idealist to do that though.

Brazil go through 9 out of 10 times for me. Unless Martínez comes up with something clever.

 

[Dr Pepper]

I'm surprised Belgium is winning this poll. On paper they look incredible. But on the pitch? They're good at pummeling lesser sides, but when have they ever won against a team of Brazil's calibre?

Brazil under the current coach managed to defeat:
Uruguay, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Bolivia, Venezuela; Germany, Croatia, Serbia, Russia, Austria; Mexico, Costa Rica; Japan, Australia.

Belgium under the current coach managed to defeat:
England* (B team vs B team), Bosnia, Czechia, Greece, Estonia, Cyprus, Gibraltar; Egypt, Tunesia; Costa Rica, Panama; Japan, Saudi Arabia.

Brazil also have some draws and defeats against South American sides on their record, but at least they have demonstrated the ability to defeat quality opponents. Belgium on the other hand have not demonstrated that ability in the games they had under Martínez against Spain, Portugal and Mexico (plus Russia and the Netherlands). Of course they can win nevertheless, but what makes the majority of voters here assume they really will? They still look a bit like an unproven commodity to me.

Hey, there's a first time for everything.

 

[Eisen]

It's basically Neymar rage. People just want to see him out, it clouds judgement.

I voted because of that.

 

[Suiteness]

I voted because of that.

lol

 

[Eisen]

lol

Plus the underdog factor. I can't bring myself to vote for teams I don't like. I would make a piss poor sports gambler.

 

[Turtleneck Plek]

This is THE game for Belgium. Time to prove they're not just all potential. They have the team to be a powerhouse for the next 4-6 years, but now's the time to step up. They win here, and the pressure goes down. Even if they lose to France in the SF, they'll have proved they can beat any team on a good day.

Then again, I think I'd rather have France play Brazil in the SF, but that's just a gut feeling based on past confrontations.

 

[hatterson]

I voted Belgium because I want Lukaku to come up big in a big game and if he does I think they'll win.

 

[Suiteness]

I voted Belgium because I want Lukaku to come up big in a big game and if he does I think they'll win.

I don't know, I figured he would bang a hat trick against Japan and do his usual disappearing act against big teams afterwards. But to see him miss sitters against Japan just threw me off completely.

 

[Eisen]

I don't know, I figured he would bang a hat trick against Japan and do his usual disappearing act against big teams afterwards. But to see him miss sitters against Japan just threw me off completely.

And that with that Japanese goalie...
It was his chance. That said, I wanted Japan to win and it was a fantastic match, not least because of Japan.

 

[N o o d l e s]

While I don't really believe in momentum carrying through game to game, I'm wondering if Belgium can take advantage of their big time second life.

 

[Halladay]

Chadli and Fellaini strarting. So is Jesus and Marcelo.

 

[gary69]

As expected, Belgium change the personnel a bit, Chadli and Fellaini in, Carrasco and Mertens out.