Football often moves our rationality and alleged wisdom. Despite so many unlikely performances and results, the defeats of favorites still provoke great surprises and huge criticism, as if the best did not lose or play badly. Because of high investments and crowded stadiums, fans and commentators think that Brazilian teams are better than they are.
Flamengo, after 27 unbeaten games, played badly and lost 2-1 to Argentina’s Cordoba Central. It was a surprise, but other defeats will take place. Flamengo, complete, has a great team, but is not so superior to others. The cast is good, but not so much. Missing, from the middle to the front, level reserves close to that of the holders.
Cruzeiro, even in formation, is superior to Ecuador’s unknown Time Mushuc Runa, but the defeat was not so surprising. The club president and the coach admitted that the technical level of the team is far below the expectation of the fans and the press.
Inter and Atletico Nacional, from Colombia, made an excellent match. It was no surprise. Inter, so far, is the team that has played better on Libertadores, and the opponent, of the matches I saw, was the best among the other South American teams. The game was balanced until the expulsion of the Atletico player, when the score was 1-0 for Inter. From there, it was easy to reach 3-0. The great sock Alan Patrick scored the three goals, two of them penalty.
Palmeiras is very tense, always waiting for great matches. The crowd is exaggerated. Winning from Cerro Porteño 1-0 was no surprise. The team does not delight, but usually gains because of balance, consistency and technical quality. The team plays each match as if it were the last.
The vibrant fans of Sao Paulo have not yet used to the lost points when the team plays in Morumbis. The team is good, but not so much, especially with the absence of Oscar and Lucas Moura. It was not so surprising another draw at home.
We should get used to the dull performances and the unexpected defeats. Arsenal’s home victory over Real Madrid was no surprise, but the 3-0 score was not expected. Nothing is decided. Real has many hopes in recent historical turns, and Arsenal is concerned about this mix of mystery and technical quality of the Spanish team.
After hiring the exceptional Mbappé and Bellingham, Real formed a fantastic offensive quartet that has decided many games. But the previous team, with a trio in midfield (Casemiro, Modric and Kroos) and another trio in the attack (Vini, Rodrygo and Benzema) was more balanced and so efficient. The defense was more protected, and the team had more dominance of the ball in midfield.
Today, the best team in the world, which wins the most and fascinates, is Barcelona, with six exceptional middle -sided players, three in midfield and three in the nearby attack, which are very well understood. The four defenders mark in midfield and are also close to the other six. It is a compaction class, with risks that are worthwhile. Just like living, delighting is dangerous.
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