World Cup: Brazil remains in the debut, but Panama is not a parameter – 07/24/2023 – O Mundo É uma Bola

It is always good to win in the opening match of a World Cup, as Brazil has done in all eight previous editions, and even better is to win with a rout, as Brazil did this Monday (24) against Panama in Adelaide (Australia).

The 4-0 (three goals by Ary Borges and one by Bia Zeneratto), with two goals in the first half and two in the second, should be celebrated and will give confidence to the team trained by Pia Sundhage to face France on Saturday (29).

Brazil fulfilled its duty, adequately, but it is necessary to analyze the result coldly, in order to avoid an early hype.

No less was expected than to thrash the Panamanians, debutants in World Cups, in the first duel in history between the selections. Panama is one of the weakest teams at the World Cup in Oceania, occupying 52nd place in the FIFA ranking.

The Central American team is behind in the ranking of less expressive teams that did not even qualify for the competition, such as Taiwan (37th), Uzbekistan (49th) and Myanmar (50th). Brazil is eighth on the list.

The Brazilian team had a strong game volume (59% of ball possession against 23% of the opponent), and especially in the first half they kept the Panamanians almost the entire time in the defense field. Goalkeeper Letícia (Lelê), in the initial stage, was a spectator: she only touched the ball, and with her feet, twice.

The initiatives on the wings worked (Antônia and Tamires are good in support), so much so that all of Brazil’s goals came after crosses; all, coincidentally, on the left.

Ary Borges, who is a midfielder, was a constant element of surprise, scoring two goals with his head and the other after a rebound from another header of his own. And he even gave beautiful assistance to Bia Zaneratto to do hers.

The marking on the opponents’ ball exit worked very well. Forwards Debinha and Bia Zaneratto and the players who occupied the midfield positions (Luana, Ary Borges, Kerolin and Adriana), tireless, pressed incessantly, which resulted in numerous recoveries near the Panama area.

So what does Brazil need to improve against France, the team’s executioner in the 2019 World Cup – the host, eliminated the Brazilians in the round of 16–, fifth in the FIFA ranking, in a game that promises to be extremely tough?

1. Pay more attention to passing and individual plays. In the quest to break through the Panamanian defense, the wrong attempts in setting up plays and dribbling accumulated, which prevented the team from creating (even) more goal opportunities.
2. Improve accuracy on submissions. Brazil scored 34 times against the goal defended by goalkeeper Bailey (a great number, approximately one attempt every four minutes), but the aim was flawed: only 11 of them went in the direction of the goal – four went in.

Regarding Brazil’s defense, we will know if it is firm or not against the French, since the Panamanians almost didn’t attack.

The defensive duo, Lauren (rookie who replaced Kathellen, who had an injury) and Rafaelle (the team captain), was not tested, and Lelê appeared in two defenses, in addition to registering an exit from the clumsy area that fortunately did not compromise.

It is possible that, against France, Brazil will have much less possession of the ball, as the rival (who drew 0-0 with Jamaica) needs to win to pass Pia’s team on the table and be in excellent condition to finish first in Group F, a position that avoids a potential clash with the very powerful Germany in the round of 16.

In this scenario, the Brazilian team will have a kind of decision against the French. And he will need to know, in many moments of the match, to counterattack efficiently.

Pia must know this and put together a team prepared to act like this: with a fast attack (perhaps Geyse in place of Bia Zaneratto) and with precision in the launches – the wingers, defenders and midfielders will have to hit them.

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