Russia 2018; the winner is....................contd

Would it be fair to tip the Brazilians as the next likely country to lift the World Cup in Russia? Why not? The Brazilians hosted the Mundial and were taught lessons about the game. In Brazil, the samba drumbeats were silent as their nationals watched in awe when the Germans decimated the Samba Boyz 7-1 in the semi-finals. It looked like an horror film, but the Brazilians have since learned the lesson of building on their youths. Equally horrifying was how Brazil lost the third-place bronze to Holland. They hosted the Mundial to lose, but they would be in Russia with a young crop of players who are the defending champions of the Olympic Games’ soccer event. Brazilians at home are doing everything possible to get Neymar back on his feet to play in Russia.

So, who are the Brazilians to watch at the Mundial? There are midfielders such as Willian (Chelsea), Paulinho (Barcelona), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid) and Fred (Shakhtar Donetsk). They are youthful but lack the big stage experience to ruffle the feathers of the big boys. But the Samba Boyz attackers have tremendous club side experience, which could count for them with forwards, such as Douglas Costa (Juventus), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) and Neymar (PSG).

If there is a country that can dethrone the defending champions, Germany, it is Argentina, with an array of vastly experienced stars. It won the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008. Besides, most of them were members of the Argentina side that won the World Youth U-20 Championship in Holland.

Lionel Messi is Argentina’s biggest player, but, if the coach decides to list Carlos Tevez in the squad for Russia, then the Argentines could be contenders for the title. That Kun Aguero being injured isn’t strange. He has an unenviable history with injuries. He will be in Russia but Higuain looks like the striker to deliver the goals, only if he isn’t as wasteful as he was in Brazil, four years ago.

Manchester City FC’s doctors have ruled Aguero out for the season, which gives him time to recuperate for the World Cup. The Argentines must look for another goalkeeper as it appears Romero won’t be fit for the Mundial, which makes matters worse since he is a reserve with Manchester United this season. He played a few matches but he looked unconvincing to bench De Gea.

Argentina’s squad comprising Javier Mascherano Hebei (China Fortune) Ángel Di María (PSG), Éver Banega (Sevilla), Lucas Biglia (Milan), Marcos Acuña (Sporting CP), Eduardo Salvio (Benfica), Diego Perotti (Roma), Giovani Lo Celso (PSG) and Leandro Paredes (Zenit Saint Petersburg). Their attacking options include Messi (captain) (Barcelona), Agüero (Manchester City), Higuaín (Juventus), Paulo Dybala (Juventus) and Ángel Correa (Atlético Madrid). The problem with this squad is the manager’s tactics and ability to effectively utilise the potential of his players. With a better tactician, the Argentines could surpass their final appearance in 2014 by winning the trophy? I’m not suggesting a repeat of the 2014 final. If it happens, there is a justification for it, given the issues raised here. The French were winners in 1998 when they hosted the competition. They have been also-ran in spite of their potential. They have a coaching problem, which has rendered their big stars otiose during matches.

If names could win the World Cup, then you can count on the French, with such players as Paul Pogba (Manchester United, Thomas Lemar (Monaco) Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich), N’Golo Kanté (Chelsea), Blaise Matuidi (Juventus) and Adrien Rabiot (PSG). Others include Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid), Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), Kylian Mbappé (PSG), Ousmane Dembélé (Barcelona) and Anthony Martial (Manchester United).

The Spaniards were the defending champions at the Brazil 2014 World Cup, having won the previous edition held in South Africa. In fact, they were the Confederations Cup defending champions. Purists tipped them to defend the trophy creditably, even if they don’t win the diadem. The Spaniards were taught the lesson of investing in the products of their youth teams. They fell like a pack of cards, largely because they came to Brazil with the team everyone was expecting. Nothing hurts more than a team that continuously hits your soft belly.

Have the Spaniards learned from the Brazil 2014 fiasco? A bit: they have changed their squad. They will be fielding fitter players, but may not abandon their tiki-taka style. This could be their albatross since most of the countries in Russia know how to ground that style. Any chance for Spain of lifting the trophy? Read my lips.