Philippe Coutinho Scores Stunner But Brazil Are Frustrated By Organised Switzerland

Philippe Coutinho Scores Stunner But Brazil Are Frustrated By Organised Switzerland
21:38, 17 Jun 2018

It all started so well for Brazil when Philippe Coutinho’s first half wonder goal gave them a deserved lead against Switzerland, but their fire was put out by Steven Zuber’s header just after the break.

The Selecao are fully expected to go far in the World Cup this summer, but their first game ended in frustration as they lost control after a bright start on Sunday night.

Here are four talking points from Rostov-On-Don.

Philippe Coutinho kicked the World Cup off in some style

Slowly but surely, Brazil, as a nation, have recovered from their darkest hour. That 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semi finals of their own World Cup, in Belo Horizonte, has cast a huge shadow over the country’s pride and joy over the past four years; while pressure has always been a burden to carry for anyone donning the famous yellow and green, the Selecao’s class of 2018 knew they had the biggest of debts to repay. A mixed qualification campaign ended strongly and now, finally, Tite has exercised the ghost; Brazil are free, fit and firing, with a sixth win in the biggest tournament of them all firmly in their sights. France were far from convincing against Australia, Argentina dropped points against Iceland, Spain and Portugal had played out an exhilarating draw on Friday and Germany slipped up against Mexico an hour before Brazil kicked off. This World Cup was desperate for a powerhouse to flex their muscles.

Brazil set about doing just that, and justifying their tag as early favourites; Switzerland started confidently, pressing hard and keeping possession well, but they appeared powerless to stop their iconic opponents motoring through the gears. All of a sudden, Coutinho and Neymar combined as they carved through the defence with the precision of a Swiss army knife; the ball found its way to Paulinho, but he couldn’t convert from close range. Moments later, though, his Barcelona teammate Coutinho smashed in a trademark curling effort from distance; it edged in off the post beautifully. Switzerland were on the ropes, but they got a foothold in the game before half time.

Switzerland showed great organisation but very little in attack

As good as Brazil were early on, it wasn’t likely they would have it all their own way. Switzerland have lost just once since defeat at Euro 2016 and have built their success on great organisation. Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka set the tone for their resurgence in midfield, holding his position brilliantly, while former West Ham and Watford utility man Valon Behrami began to dominate Neymar; as the half went on, he became more and more agitated, but there was certainly a feeling he could spark into life at any moment. It was very much like the friendly the Swiss played in Spain before heading to Russia; La Roja dominated the ball, scored early and looked like easing to victory, but they played their way to a late draw. They were soon on their way again when Zuber headed home Xherdan Shaqiri’s corner; though he did appear to push Miranda in the back beforehand.

But there was no immediate danger of a winner; Switzerland continued to pass the ball without conviction. In fact, panic appeared to set in as soon as they restored parity; there was no intention to push past a sturdy Brazilian midfield and their clearances were far from calm and convincing; the onslaught then arrived as full time approached. They worked hard, but it never felt like this game was about much more than survival; fortunately, that is coach Vladimir Petkovic’s speciality.

Brazil have the tools to go all the way but must be more ruthless

There is a crucial difference between the current Brazil team and those in the 16 years since their last World Cup triumph; Tite has brought great balance, which very few before have had. The 2006 side in Germany was all about style over substance; 2010 in South Africa, under resident hard man Dunga, was the complete opposite, while Luiz Felipe Scolari, the 2002 winning coach, presided over a team that lacked quality in 2014, and it showed. This team is able to showcase their quality with freedom, but they all defend as a team, which is why having Willian and Gabriel Jesus in the same side as Coutinho and Neymar does not make them vulnerable. Though Casemiro came off on the hour mark because of a yellow card, he was among Brazil’s best players on the night, operating as the instigator of attacks by always passing the ball forward to exploit space after winning the ball.

Yet, some of Tite’s decisions were questionable to say the least. Fernandinho was, more or less, a like for like replacement for Casemiro, but Renato Augusto didn’t offer much in the way of attacking instinct after coming on for Paulinho. It took until the last ten minutes for Roberto Firmino to replace Jesus, and all he had to show for his performance was a wild shot over the bar and a late header from a Neymar freekick. Everything is in place for Brazil, especially because no other main contenders have found their feet either, but they must learn to be more forceful when the pressure is on after such a bright start to the match.

Switzerland need more from Xherdan Shaqiri in the next two games

They may have tamed Brazil and made a great start to the World Cup, but if they are going to dominate the next two games against Serbia, victorious earlier in the day, and Costa Rica, they need more from their talisman, Shaqiri.

The Stoke man is looking for a route out of the Bet365 Stadium this summer after their relegation from the Premier League last season. But he offered little going forward and, perhaps most worryingly, failed to track back as Brazil opened his side up early on.

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