Now the real World Cup begins

By César Luis Menotti

Quantity of goals should not be equated with good play. The number of goals may have been due to mistakes made in one of the aspects which the game possesses - and that is defence. But so be it, because for the average spectator a 5-3 is better than a 0-0 draw.  

   I believe that the real World Cup starts now. And now we can see just how far some teams got on audacity and strength of idea. But from now on there is no choice but to raise one’s game, as if one were playing in the cup final. Because now he who loses, leaves, and the winner does not really win anything, just a step forward to the next round.

   Currently the team playing best is Germany, it has great strength in its concept, but there is no Robin van Persie, no Arjen Robben, no Lionel Messi. Everything the team does is collective in development and communication, because they are all good players.

   I think Brazil has played really badly, not even playing well in the defensive sector. Brazilians are by profession very good players, of course, but I have seen them quite vulnerable, relinquishing too much space. But Brazil is Brazil and the technique is there. There are four or five players who are playing very well.

   Chile will be a very difficult opponent for Brazil. I think the Chileans will not have many complexes but Jorge Sampaoli is going to have to take the precautions you have to take as coach. Brazil will have to see how far they decide to reduce space to the Chileans, how far they will put the pressure on them.

   Brazil can generally close ranks at the back, keeping possession of the ball in spaces comfortable to them, but then in three moves can counterattack. This is their strength and especially so with a player like Neymar, who is as effective as very few others are. But it will be very difficult to contain Chile.

  In the second round we also have an interesting pairing between Mexico and the Netherlands. Mexico has been devastated emotionally, has lost the prestige of being a major player in many areas, including the qualifying matches, and ended up coming through almost by chance. But now new coach Miguel Herrera, has given them back dignity in participation. Historically Mexico in recent years has always played in the World Cup able to return home with their pride intact.

   But Holland has three players up who are deadly, especially van Persie and Robben. This could make things very difficult for Mexico. It is true that they are not playing as well as they have done at other times in the past. I do not like it much, I prefer the Holland of Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten. But the Dutch are a very solid team and have a clear idea of how they want to play. I have not seen this in many of the other teams.

  Another big game will undoubtedly be the Colombia-Uruguay fixture. Colombia has improved a lot after suffering major problems. Now I see that they are able to reduce spaces and defend much better. And from the midfield forward Columbia has very strong and capable players. It will be a to and fro match against Uruguay.

   For Uruguay Luis Suarez will be sorely missed. He is a player who, out of nothing, can create a situation risky to his adversary and transform this situation into a goal. But Uruguayans are terribly competitive players, and will increase their capacity to compete until their last breath because they came back after almost being knocked out. In terms of football Colombia has much more, but every time the "Celeste" leave the pitch, they leave being greatly respected.

   As for Argentina, I think they improved somewhat against Nigeria, but they did not play well. I think they still have not found their form, but perhaps now they will, having the tranquility bonus of having qualified. Having played all the playoffs in a similar way, I saw a surprise amongst the players when they changed their style and played completely different to the first game.

   Paradoxically I think the present injury to Sergio Aguero could favour  Argentina. I’m not cot criticising Aguero, who is an excellent player, but because it will give the Argentinians more chances of broadening their game. I think Argentina is a team still in the throes of formation, depending much on the capacity of individual players. It would make things much clearer if problems were resolved in the middle of the field. I see too much space in midfield, Nigeria scored two goals against us because of this, and other teams could score goals or make us miss. And in this Switzerland is dangerous.

   However, Switzerland is a team that plays a lot with the ball and little with intelligence. With the ball the Swiss are good players but they are not a team who defend well. They can play on equal footing, man to man, with any other team whatsoever. However, if Switzerland plays as they have done up to now, then I think it is a major opportunity for Argentina to play a great match. If we don’t play a good game against Switzerland, then we are in serious trouble.

   I would also like to say something about an interesting phenomenon: Costa Rica. The majority of people know nothing about Costa Rica, neither South Americans nor Europeans had any idea that they played good football there. Costa Rica's players have always had good condition in their genes, but now have greatly improved their knowledge of the game. They presented a very orderly and competitive team.

   But the game against Greece is going to suffer. The Greeks were born to fight, to struggle. Greece is quarrelsome - “camorrero” – as they say in the neighborhood. They are fighters, they interrupt the run of the game. It will have to be seen if Costa Rica has the answers, the finesse, to defend their own style of football. It's a game of two completely different schools of play.

   Finally, let me say something about Spain, the ousted World Champions. I believe that some injustice has been done in the evaluation of such a wonderful career. It would seem that in addition to the positive comments which have been made, there should also be comments of thanks. Spain has been such a huge influence. I don’t believe that if they change their ways they are necessarily going to get better. They have to become strong again believing in their own ideas.  I don’t think Spain is finished – not by a long chalk.