[Milan Are Brilli...]

FYI, youtube is streaming every game live here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/CopaAmerica

Think it works only in certain countries. As ESPN is screening it here it's blacked out. Thankfully that's not an issue personally.

Haven't seen much at all from Ganso.

[Dracoris]

Hes been a weak player so far 2nd half

[Fillipo Simone]

Very disappointing match by Brazil and especially Ganso. Well, all I can say is that this guy certainly isn't enough for Milan to solve our creative problem.

[dst]

thanks for the link! it's been broadcasted here but the link does work... weird. also weird that youtube are doing this.

[Jack Bauer]

Very disappointing match by Brazil.

+1.

[Fillipo Simone]

Strange Copa so far. 4 matches played, only 3 goals so far.

[Milan Are Brilli...]

Strange Copa so far. 4 matches played, only 3 goals so far.

Yesterday's games were terrible, I was looking forward to watching fun football, but this is turning into something worse than last years World Cup! What's happening?!

[Zed.D]

The only thing I remember about Ganso is one fantastic through pass for Robinho (and Venezuelans' reactions because he'd ignored that one of their players was down and played on). other than that, I can't say he caught my eyes in any way. that said, it's wrong to judge him yet... he was invisible and couldn't get into the game. that's not worse than showing lots of inexperience ((Neymar) as well as promise).

As for Pato, I thought he did rather well. he was being played as a CF so he needed the FBs and midfielders' support but other than 2-3 occasions they failed to create anything decent for him. out of those 2-3, he was unlucky to hit the crossbar. overall he linked up well with his teammates and made a couple of great passes as well.

But seriously, what's that weird connection with Brazilians and bad haircuts? Did you see Robinhos?

Awful! Neymar's is even worse and don't get me started on that blondie Alves!

[Fillipo Simone]

You know, I'm right with you. But also, this was freakin' Venezuela! Ganso of all people really had to show up! Cause after watching the other game, I can only say both Ecuador and Paraguay are stronger then Venezuela, and Brazil is in deep sh@t now.

I'm also positive Brazil could have had used a player like Kaka or Ronaldinho. Their roster lacks of creativity. Ramires is bound to be the next thing maybe, but nowdays I only see a overpriced and overrated player in him. Leiva is doing a fine defensive job, but this whole team is reduced to individuality and Ganso. That's gonna work sometimes, but it's pretty risky.

[Milan Are Brilli...]

I'll give Ganso more time, because if he was amazing I'd have been like "it's only Venezuela, it's only one game" etc. So I won't write him off for playing badly in one game, though he definitely needs to step up, otherwise it looks like it's just a case of the hype factor again.

[acid911]

What's happening?!

Europe happened, that's what. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif) Both the South American and African games are now influenced by the European style, whether by coaches adapting the tactics of English/Italian/Spanish games, or the fact that a lot of these players play in EPL/Serie A/La Liga. Naturally, there is going to be a trickle down effect.

It wasn't so much a couple of decades back, but now it is plainly (and painfully, for me at least) evident. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) I follow both continents and the national teams of Brazil, Paraguay, Ghana, and Egypt. And they don't play one bit like they used to back in the good old days. Instead of pure, free-flowing football, we get defense minded, highly tactical, and dare I say, negative game. Boring 0-0 draws and 1-0 wins if one is lucky. Or a come from behind 1-1 draw.

And by this I don't mean totally forgetting the defense, and playing stupid. But the flair and grace is totally out of it. Those turds have completely and utterly spoiled the sport. Teams either play it over safe, or like I said, wholly negative. Grinding results, not entertaining the crowds. The fans and crowds can go sod in hell, as far as they are concerned. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/angry.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/realmad.gif) Brazil's last match, the one I had the displeasure of watching yesterday, was one of the worst ever wastage of 2 hours I never would have done if it was club football.

Long I wish for the days of Brazil 2002, Brazil 1982, Dutch 1974. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) When Samba, Total Football, and African Aggression were the name of the game. Glorious as they were, something tells me they will never return. Not in this age of greed, money, and timidity. Tactics will take precedence over flair, timely fouling over raw aggression, short tiki-taka (hate it, hate it, hate it to the point of no return) over curling free kicks and magical through balls.

This is the new face of football. Is there an unsubscribe form guys, count me out?

As for Pato, I thought he did rather well.

Enough said. More than enough said. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/king.gif) He was one of the few guys that looked like he was trying. Subbing him out seemed like a pretty bad decision, and at the end of the day it was.

Awful! Neymar's is even worse and don't get me started on that blondie Alves!

Pathetic individuals. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Doing pathetic stuff. At least, Pato, Lucio, Silva and Cesar have some humanity left in them. Sure one can say it's their hair and they are free to do with them what they like, but really, sometimes overdoing something has the potential of exploding smack in the face. This was ugly, plain and simple.

Cause after watching the other game, I can only say both Ecuador and Paraguay are stronger then Venezuela, and Brazil is in deep sh@t now.

I wouldn't go as far to say deep shat, they are there with the others. A loss would have been even worse. But Paraguay and Ecuador at least will play a bit more open game, and Brazil can use that extra space and speed. Yesterday, it was four defenders on one whenever Brazil attacked.

I'm also positive Brazil could have had used a player like Kaka or Ronaldinho. Their roster lacks of creativity. Ramires is bound to be the next thing maybe, but nowdays I only see a overpriced and overrated player in him. Leiva is doing a fine defensive job, but this whole team is reduced to individuality and Ganso. That's gonna work sometimes, but it's pretty risky.

True enough, and particularly agreed about Kaka and Ronaldinho. There is a distinct lack of creative players in world football, more so those that stamp their authority on the proceedings, and can turn the match on top of its head in the matter of a few seconds. Like William405 said, there their midfield was meh. I say, it was double meh. And sadly almost all of it plays in the EPL, for what it's worth.

PS. Finally, a splattering of smiley icons. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) There hasn't been one used in the 22/23 posts above me, so I made sure I used all ten of them in this message. Ah! Respect to the guy who invented smilies. What would I be without them!

[acid911]

Following my epic post above (which no one probably read (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) ), word is that Peru are 1-0 up against Uruguay. A breathtaking goal, if alone for the openness of it, their defense was up and away on the half way line with the Peru attacker got a sweet lob, made his run and slotted it in. The remaining hour or so will be interesting.

Can't say the Uruguayans don't have firepower upfront - Forlan, Cavani and that guy Suarez all starting.

[Darunia]

Suarez goal 1-1

[Fillipo Simone]

Deserved equalizer. Now let's go for a second.

Btw. the goal by Guerrero was Victorinos and Luganos fault. Had Uruguay Godin there,...

[acid911]

So the big three have all drawn 1-1 and 0-0. That's three favorite teams for the competition. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) I say, all three were playing it safe, the real showdown will be in the second streak of matches. Another draw and things will get real interesting. Luckily for Brazil, all the teams have a solitary point in their group.

Mexico and Chile battling it out at the time of this writing, with the North Americans ahead by 1-0 at half time.