Just Four Things: Serbia Vs. Brazil
Credits: OptaJoe
Samba Beats Serbia
The key battle between these two teams was pace versus solidity. The flair Brazil brings is capable of troubling Serbia, who learned that the hard way when Switzerland’s fast breaks were the factor in Serbia’s defeat that left them in peril (Which is most likely the major reason why Branislav Ivanovic was dropped). From kick-off, Brazil started exactly as you expect. It was somewhat clear what Tite wants when he fielded Paulinho rather than the more-rugged Fernandinho.
They almost reaped benefits from the first few minutes when Coutinho’s effort was accidentally blocked by Willian. They attacked the Serbia box the only way they know how: With trickery and speed. The latter was how Paulinho scored when he ran into a pocket of space Milos Veljkovic was guilty of exposing and chipped the ball just beyond Vladimir Stojkovic to set Brazil on their way.
Brazil had numerous chances before and after the first goal with Gabriel Jesus’s effort crucially blocked at the last second and Neymar forcing a fingertip save from a tight angle by Stojkovic. Brazil also could’ve won by three had Neymar’s volley bounced higher than he would’ve liked. Brazil were more clinical & sharper than their opponents that lead to them winning the group.
The Coutinho & Neymar Show
Here are some stats for you courtesy of OptaJose: Philippe Coutinho has been involved in 22 goals in his last 29 games with Barcelona and Brazil. And that includes three out of the four goals Brazil has score in this tournament. Coutinho showed his class by delivering a long ball into an empty space for Paulinho to run into that lead to the first goal as he was pulling the strings as usual.
On the other hand Neymar, despite not scoring, did set up the second goal by swinging a corner by the near post for Thiago Silva to head the ball in. That assist has now bought 19 goals (ten goals and nine assists) that Neymar is involved with Brazil, according to OptaJoao. It was an assured performance and he would’ve loved to cap the night with a goal but sadly squandered good chances that either was saved by Stojkovic or couldn’t get on-target. His time will come. It’s just a matter of when.
Serbia Learned Their Lesson
With Brazil looking to catch Serbia on the break when they have the chance, Serbia seemingly have learned their lesson after the humbling defeat to Switzerland. Brazil did have a few breaks on the counter and that obviously worried Serbia. So Serbia made sure they have a few players in their own half while they go on the attack in anticipation of a Brazil counter-attack.
Of course the problem was Serbia also don’t have enough men to trouble Brazil enough throughout the whole game despite the bright spell they have in the second half. Even then, Brazil didn’t just rely on counters and had numerous avenues to score more whther to cut inside or delivery by the wings or set-pieces. In the end the difference of quality was clear between these two teams
There’s Some Hope For Brazil’s Future Opponents
With the score at 1-0, Serbia suddenly looked a lot more motivated after the restart. They had a good spell going forward in a 15-minute time window. They kept probing the Brazil box and carved two great chances out of it, but spurned by Aleksandar Mitrovic where he headed straight at Thiago Silva when Alisson was down on the floor after making a save and then he had another header saved by Alisson. Once Fernandinho came on, their spell came to an abrupt end.
Still, it’s encouraging that Serbia had opportunities to tie the game up. And also the fact Marcelo was forced to be subbed off after only nine minutes may become something teams can take advantage after Douglas Costa and Danilo were added to the injury list. On the flipside, Brazil looked sturdy when defending, getting numbers in their own box to prevent service from getting to Mitrovic and other attackers.
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