Hey guys, I'm back, and I'm going to breakdown the quarter finals of the 2014 Fifa World Cup Brasil, starting with day 1 featuring Brasil.
DAY 1
First Matchup:
BRASIL VS COLUMBIA
Overview: I think this is the matchup we were all looking forward to, the huge clash between the two South American powerhouses. Brasil has looked shaky all throughout the World Cup, with their only convincing win coming against bottom of the table Cameroon. Columbia, on the other hand, has looked very solid. A good win over Luis Suarex-less Uruguay and a good performance in a reasonably hard group has gotten them this far.
X-Factor: Regardless of how poor Brasil has looked, they are still incredibly dangerous, and have a knack for only showing up when the game is on the line. For Columbia, they will have to not get caught up in Brasil's possesion game. They need to tackle hard and take chances, because otherwise the Brasilians will tear them apart. Also, they can't afford to let the crowd be a factor. The less Brasil is involved in the outcome, the better it is for Columbia.
Why Columbia Will Win: The Columbians will have everything to play for and nothing to lose. Not being a large football nation can sometimes help, and in this case, it might. If they can set the tempo early and often, and make sure they keep the home crowd out of it, they might have the shocking win of the World Cup.
Why Brasil Will Win: What tools do Brasil not have? They can score, defend, and have the biggest crowd advantage of any World Cup. For Brasil, they need to realise that Columbia will most likely come out swinging, just like the Chileans. Brasil should play a formation for much of the first half to tire out Columbia, and then let the creativity loose in the second half.
Second Matchup:
GERMANY VS FRANCE
Overview: What world cup would be complete without a matchup featuring two European powerhouses? The good thing for the rest of the world is that this is just a quarterfinal matchup, and not later on in the Cup. Regardless, this match will feature Germany, one of the steadiest and most realiable teams in the world, and the ultimate wild card, France.
X-Factor: France's offense versus Germany's stout defense. Germany may have the defense in the world, only allowing three goals so far, and two of them seeming to come in "garbage" time. They blanked Portugal, a team that plays very much like France. For Les Blues, they will have to play out of formation and use their football IQ. Otherwise, Germany's possesion game will tire them out quickly.
Why Germany Will Win: Just like Brasil, Germany have a lot riding in their favor. They've proven to be clinical finishers, have stout defenders, and have a great keeper, Manuel Neuer. All they have to do is shut down the pacey French, including Franck Ribery. That might be harder than it sounds, however, so the Germans will have to rely a great deal on Phillip Lahm and their defense.
Why France Will Win: On paper, Les Blues may have a better team than Germany. But they will have to stay in check. History has proven that the French have a hard time controlling their emotions in crucial match ups. See: Zinedine Zidane. Stick to formations and assignments, and France may be moving on.
LIKELY TO ADVANCE: Brasil, Germany
DAY 1
First Matchup:
BRASIL VS COLUMBIA
Overview: I think this is the matchup we were all looking forward to, the huge clash between the two South American powerhouses. Brasil has looked shaky all throughout the World Cup, with their only convincing win coming against bottom of the table Cameroon. Columbia, on the other hand, has looked very solid. A good win over Luis Suarex-less Uruguay and a good performance in a reasonably hard group has gotten them this far.
X-Factor: Regardless of how poor Brasil has looked, they are still incredibly dangerous, and have a knack for only showing up when the game is on the line. For Columbia, they will have to not get caught up in Brasil's possesion game. They need to tackle hard and take chances, because otherwise the Brasilians will tear them apart. Also, they can't afford to let the crowd be a factor. The less Brasil is involved in the outcome, the better it is for Columbia.
Why Columbia Will Win: The Columbians will have everything to play for and nothing to lose. Not being a large football nation can sometimes help, and in this case, it might. If they can set the tempo early and often, and make sure they keep the home crowd out of it, they might have the shocking win of the World Cup.
Why Brasil Will Win: What tools do Brasil not have? They can score, defend, and have the biggest crowd advantage of any World Cup. For Brasil, they need to realise that Columbia will most likely come out swinging, just like the Chileans. Brasil should play a formation for much of the first half to tire out Columbia, and then let the creativity loose in the second half.
Second Matchup:
GERMANY VS FRANCE
Overview: What world cup would be complete without a matchup featuring two European powerhouses? The good thing for the rest of the world is that this is just a quarterfinal matchup, and not later on in the Cup. Regardless, this match will feature Germany, one of the steadiest and most realiable teams in the world, and the ultimate wild card, France.
X-Factor: France's offense versus Germany's stout defense. Germany may have the defense in the world, only allowing three goals so far, and two of them seeming to come in "garbage" time. They blanked Portugal, a team that plays very much like France. For Les Blues, they will have to play out of formation and use their football IQ. Otherwise, Germany's possesion game will tire them out quickly.
Why Germany Will Win: Just like Brasil, Germany have a lot riding in their favor. They've proven to be clinical finishers, have stout defenders, and have a great keeper, Manuel Neuer. All they have to do is shut down the pacey French, including Franck Ribery. That might be harder than it sounds, however, so the Germans will have to rely a great deal on Phillip Lahm and their defense.
Why France Will Win: On paper, Les Blues may have a better team than Germany. But they will have to stay in check. History has proven that the French have a hard time controlling their emotions in crucial match ups. See: Zinedine Zidane. Stick to formations and assignments, and France may be moving on.
LIKELY TO ADVANCE: Brasil, Germany
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