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The makings of a classic
England-Brazil, U.S.-Germany kick off Cup quarterfinals
Posted: Thursday June 20, 2002 1:57 PM
CNNSI.com's World Cup analyst Gabriele Marcotti is covering every kick of the tournament, with a "91st Minute" column filed each matchday. Click here to submit a comment or question to Marcotti's mailbag.
England taking on Brazil on Friday to open the World Cup quarterfinals has all the ingredients to be an absolute classic: Two pedigreed nations, plenty of exciting talent, a clash in styles.
Brazil has so far turned on the style when necessary, displaying a terrifying attacking potential but sometimes conceding a little bit of ground when the outcome wasn't in question (as in the second half against China and Costa Rica).
Sven-Goran Eriksson has given England some much needed defensive solidity. We haven't seen the best of David Beckham yet, but Rio Ferdinand has been stellar at the back, while the main offensive threats are set-pieces and Michael Owen's blistering pace.
In the other quarterfinal, Germany takes on the United States. We've certainly seen better German sides in the past (the absences of Jens Nowotny, Mehmet Scholl and Sebastian Deisler don't help), but Rudi Voeller's team remains a tenacious, professional bunch capable of punishing opponents' mistakes. The suspended players are back, as is Christoph Metzelder, while Michael Ballack, despite carrying a knock, ought to be fit. Jeff Agoos is the only major injury concern, though expect U.S. coach Bruce Arena to tinker once again with the lineup, as he's done in each of the team's previous matches.
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Brazil:
1. Exploit the flanks. Cafu and Roberto Carlos are wingers disguised and wingbacks. If they get forward, linking with Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, both of whom like to go wide, they will stretch the England back four.
2. Help Gilberto Silva. He's likely to be the only holding midfielder and, while he has been effective, he cannot do the job on his own. Brazil cannot get caught out coming forward and leaved him all by himself to patrol the middle.
3. Stop Michael Owen. Easier said than done, of course. One thing to avoid is giving away freekicks and penalties (as Argentina learned) against Owen. Better to hold your ground and force him to try and beat you.
England:
1. Don't concede too much possession. Unlike Argentina, Brazil has players in roles that suit them. They are capable of getting off crosses, shooting from distance and taking on defenders, but only if they have the ball. Too much of a defend-and-counter strategy against Brazil is suicidal.
2. No rash tackling. Referee Ramos Rizo sent off Thierry Henry against Uruguay for the type of tackle that sometimes goes unpunished in the Premiership. England's more fiery players -- particularly Danny Mills, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes -- need to avoid dangerous lunges.
3. Don't get dragged out of position. Rivaldo will play as a striker, but he likes to roam, which means whoever picks him up needs to be careful not to be led astray.
Germany:
1. Don't get sucked forward. The U.S. has plenty of speed on the counterattack and the German back three is not the quickest. Neutralizing the counter is crucial.
2. Exploit set-pieces. Germany has more aerial threats on corners and free kicks than the U.S., which looked vulnerable both against Mexico and in the group stage.
3. Michael Ballack. He's had a quiet tournament, but he remains one of the best in the world at his position. Germany needs him to be on top of his game to win the midfield battle.
United States:
1. Cut off supply to Miroslav Klose. Obvious, but essential. This means shutting down the flanks and the midfield, forcing Germany's middle of the park to create, rather than simply execute.
2. Get behind the German defense. Without going offside, that is. Germany has trouble against fast opponents cutting inside at speed from the wings.
3. Brian McBride. He may not score, but he needs to be physical and assertive in the penalty box, creating space for the likes of Landon Donovan and Claudio Reyna to run into.
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David Beckham (England).
It's redemption time. Vilified in 1998 (unjustly), it's time for him to take over and prove himself once again on the big stage. Because of his injury, he's so far been quiet, while still delivering a lot on the defensive end in terms of workrate. Against Brazil, he will need to produce something special.
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