2010 World Cup: Brazil vs. Ivory Coast
By Ty Duffy
North Korea’s defensive effort was estimable, but part of it was Brazil playing poorly up front. Kaka was indolent and unimposing. Whether it’s injury or a lingering funk from the Real Madrid transfer, that team needs him to play better.
It may have been instinct. It may have been Mourinho instructions, but Lucio owned Drogba during the Champions League knockout stage matchup with Chelsea, shutting him down entirely. The defender could render Drogba ineffective, especially since he has not shown he’s fit.
With Sven Goran-Erkisson the Ivory Coast have been tactically disciplined. I think they could trouble Brazil. Portugal play a similar, though far more poorly executed, style to Brazil. The Ivorians, conceivably, could remove Robinho from the game as they did with Ronaldo and could force a lackluster Kaka to navigate through their battling midfield. But, unlike with Portugal, Ivory Coast would still need to account for Maicon.
Brazil have won all five matches against African teams in the World Cup without conceding a goal. They are 23-1 all-time against African teams and have outscored them 65-7. The Ivory Coast will put up a fight, but Brazil should win this one. It might not be pretty, but it should see them through to the next round. This team might be devoid of stars, sex and cartwheels, but it’s still Brazil. I would never write “there’s no way” when they take the field.