DPA/Teresopolis, Brasil
Brazil approach their 100th World Cup finals match - today against Cameroon in Brasilia - with more questions than answers.
Brazil’s first week in the World Cup has destroyed nearly all of the certainties that surrounded the hosts and favourites: that they have a strong team, a well defined system, a solid defence - and a formidable attacking tandem in Neymar and Fred.
All of these convictions started to go up in smoke June 12, when Brazil started out with a 3-1 comeback defeat of Croatia, thanks partly to a dubious penalty for a non-existent foul on Fred.
The doubts intensified with Tuesday’s 0-0 draw against Mexico, which meant that for the first time since 1978 Brazil go into their third group match without having already booked their place in the second round.
Fred’s goal drought, the poor impact of full-backs Dani Alves and Marcelo, the lack of creativity in midfield, the excessive dependency on Neymar - these are the problems detected by the experts for the 2014 version of Brazil.
The disappointment of the Brazilian fans is proportionate to their admiration for some of their rivals, especially Germany, the Netherlands, France and Chile.
“What is worrying is to see Brazil so restrained while other teams are enjoying this World Cup,” analyst Arnaldo Ribeiro told Brazilian ESPN channel.
The first week of the World Cup has ended the harmony that reigned between the team and the Brazilian media.
In the last few days, the press conferences of the Brazil players have been like police interrogations, even though the players picked to talk have been defenders - the least criticised of the team.
“After the performances of Brazil and of the other candidates, do you still think you are the favourites?” David Luiz was asked, while Marcelo was asked whether the team was training too little.
Marcelo was also asked about his physical condition, following his injuries this season with Real Madrid. He answered with both irony and aggression: “I am fine. Before the World Cup I felt fine. Before the warm-up friendlies I felt fine, in the final of the Champions League I felt fine, and now also I feel fine.”
Factbox: Brazil vs Cameroon
Where: The Brasilia national stadium, Brasilia, Capacity: 69,349
Probable teams:
Brazil: 12-Julio Cesar; 2-Daniel Alves, 3-Thiago Silva, 4-David Luiz, 6-Marcelo; 8-Paulinho, 11-Oscar, 17-Luiz Gustavo, 16-Ramires; 9-Fred, 10-Neymar
Cameroon: 16-Charles Itandje; 4-Cedric Djeugoue, 2-Benoit Assou-Ekotto, 3-Nicholas Nkoulou, 14-Aurelien Chedjou; 17-Stephane Mbia, 21-Joel Matip, 18-Enoh Eyong, 8-Benjamin Moukandjo; 10-Vincent Aboubaker, 13-Eric Choupo-Moting
Key Stats:
Brazil have played six matches against African teams at the World Cup, winning them all: Zaire (1974), Algeria (1986), Cameroon (1994), Morocco (1998) and Ghana (2006) -
Brazil’s last home defeat in a competitive international was against Peru in the Copa America in 1975, when they lost 3-1
Brazil are the only team to have taken part at all 20 World Cup tournaments.
Alex Song’s red card against Croatia was the eighth to be shown to a Cameroon player at the World Cup in only 22 matches.
Cameroon are at their seventh World Cup. They reached the quarter-finals in 1990 and went out in the first round on every other occasion, including the current tournament.
Previous meetings: There have been four with three wins for Brazil and one for Cameroon. Brazil won 3-0 at the 1994 World Cup and Cameroon won 1-0 in the 2003 Confederations Cup on the last occasion the sides met, with a goal by Samuel Eto’o.
