Underappreciated Players

[Redman10]

Guti was so talented but so inconsistent as well. You could argue his vision and passing ability was best in the world at that point. The Seedorf comparison are spot on but only difference Madrid fans never booed him when he was subbed off.

 

[Pedro]

Nocerino



FINALLY!

 

[dhorasoo]

Brazil 2002 was the most 'disappointing' world cup win that I've seen. In my view, Italy and Spain were so much stronger in that tournament. Fuck Byron Moreno. Argentina is never dependable and I hate them, so didnt really mind them crashing out.

Although I agree Italy was pretty much robbed by South Corea there, Italy's NT wasn't all that IMO. While the starting defence (Maldini, Nesta, Cannavaro and Panucci) and potential attack (Totti, Vieri, Del Piero and Inzaghi) was awesome, the midfield lacked a playmaker, or even a technical midfielder for that matter. A team consisting of Di Biagio, C. Zanetti, Coco and Doni isn't what I call a great team. Tommasi was the best midfielder on that team. That's telling.

I'm almost 100% sure Brazil would've beaten that Italian team. But, we'll never know.

 

[Redman10]

Speaking of Brazil 2002, here is a name perfect for this thread Kleberson. Look very promising at the world cup and then flop at united.

 

[necromancer]

Although I agree Italy was pretty much robbed by South Corea there, Italy's NT wasn't all that IMO. While the starting defence (Maldini, Nesta, Cannavaro and Panucci) and potential attack (Totti, Vieri, Del Piero and Inzaghi) was awesome, the midfield lacked a playmaker, or even a technical midfielder for that matter. A team consisting of Di Biagio, C. Zanetti, Coco and Doni isn't what I call a great team. Tommasi was the best midfielder on that team. That's telling.

I'm almost 100% sure Brazil would've beaten that Italian team. But, we'll never know.

Italy vs Brazil always throws up classics, so I won't go to 100% levels, but I'm confident Italy would have beaten that Brazil..

About the midfield, Zambrotta was a midfielder then - And it was basically a 3 man midfield with the trident ahead being Totti, Del Piero and Vieri. Considering how deep Totti and even Del Piero played, the midfield was adequate in my view.

Brazil also had Kleberson, Roque Junior etc starting

 

[squaresolid]

Italy vs Brazil always throws up classics, so I won't go to 100% levels, but I'm confident Italy would have beaten that Brazil..

About the midfield, Zambrotta was a midfielder then - And it was basically a 3 man midfield with the trident ahead being Totti, Del Piero and Vieri. Considering how deep Totti and even Del Piero played, the midfield was adequate in my view.

Brazil also had Kleberson, Roque Junior etc starting

i thought it was more totti vieri pippo than del piero.

roque junior

dario simic and kakha kaladze

 

[dhorasoo]

Italy vs Brazil always throws up classics, so I won't go to 100% levels, but I'm confident Italy would have beaten that Brazil..

About the midfield, Zambrotta was a midfielder then - And it was basically a 3 man midfield with the trident ahead being Totti, Del Piero and Vieri. Considering how deep Totti and even Del Piero played, the midfield was adequate in my view.

Brazil also had Kleberson, Roque Junior etc starting

I actually liked Roque Jr back in the days

---

Maybe the Italian midfield was better than I gave them credit for, Totti was a master dropping deep, but I feel that midfield was pretty much nothing compared to four years later. Like someone mentioned before, Albertini would've been a serious upgrade, someone pulling the strings in front of the defence, dictating the tempo of the game. And IIRC Del Piero could've played more than he did.

Brazil was pretty great back then. Solid defence, legendary wingbacks, badass Gilberto Silva and their attacking trio was a beautiful harmonic combination of players, especially the attack was awe-inspiring. Ronaldinho was far more direct in his style of play back then and Rivaldo & Ronaldo were just ridiculously on form, turning every half-chance into a goal.

A clear case to agree to disagree I guess

 

[Senatore_M84]

Italy vs Brazil always throws up classics, so I won't go to 100% levels, but I'm confident Italy would have beaten that Brazil..

About the midfield, Zambrotta was a midfielder then - And it was basically a 3 man midfield with the trident ahead being Totti, Del Piero and Vieri. Considering how deep Totti and even Del Piero played, the midfield was adequate in my view.

Brazil also had Kleberson, Roque Junior etc starting

The real Q for me, is how Italy would have dealt with wingbacks.


IIRC, that team was all about cafu and roberto carlos. And why not, two of greatest wingbacks ever.


To a degree remind me of napoli. All the credit goes to men upfront, but if you watch, all the build up is about closing space in midfield and going wide.


-



I also agree with Dhorasoo... 2006 midfield was a MIDFIELD. 2002 italy midfield.... was not same.

 

[Ashish]

Italy vs Brazil always throws up classics, so I won't go to 100% levels, but I'm confident Italy would have beaten that Brazil..

About the midfield, Zambrotta was a midfielder then - And it was basically a 3 man midfield with the trident ahead being Totti, Del Piero and Vieri. Considering how deep Totti and even Del Piero played, the midfield was adequate in my view.

Brazil also had Kleberson, Roque Junior etc starting

and dinho used to run those days

 

[Senatore_M84]

and dinho used to run those days

It is a shame world never got maldini ronaldo final the way they got baresi v romario

 

[Redman10]

Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho were all in excellent form and was simply unplayable at times.

 

[Ashish]

Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho were all in excellent form and was simply unplayable at times.

necro has a point .. everything was disorganized but fuck that shit ... I dont think italy would have won it :d esp ronaldo is not kind of a plyer who headbutts others and get red card .. no chance in hell

italy couldnt beat ronaldo who was on bench 1994 baresi only game i ever saw of him

 

[Sven]

Felipão was a master on make mediocre players look great. Roque Júnior and Kleberson for ex owe their careers to him.

Gilberto Silva was really good though.

 

[Sage]

everything was disorganized but fuck that shit ...

surely you're not talking about that brazil side?

 

[Redman10]

It is a shame world never got maldini ronaldo final the way they got baresi v romario

It a shame too cause the one friendly they played against each other was arguably the greatest game ever

 

[Ashish]

surely you're not talking about that brazil side?

in a good way lol all the sons(edmilson, klebson, your son, my son, our son) moved in cohesion to the attack and moved back

damn fullbacks pressing(or pushing up) .. it was shit crazy ala leonardo but rivaldo was a genius .. and then there was the one

 

[Redman10]

It is a shame world never got maldini ronaldo final the way they got baresi v romario

It a shame too cause the one friendly they played against each other was arguably the greatest game ever

 

[Ashish]

It a shame too cause the one friendly they played against each other was arguably the greatest game ever

OMG that was the shit ..

Wow i still remember .. that was something ..

 

[Redman10]

OMG that was the shit ..

Wow i still remember .. that was something ..

Romario and Ronaldo vs Maladini and Cannavaro

90's futbol

 

[Ashish]

Romario and Ronaldo vs Maladini and Cannavaro

90's futbol

you are if i ever come to new york i will surely have a drink with you

Redman i am old my friend but that video makes me football when .. oh i am old
90s football

 

[Senatore_M84]

Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho were all in excellent form and was simply unplayable at times.

i don't remember him being in excellent form. He's remembered for that ridiculous free kick, but i seem to remember him being kind of irrelevant in 2002.

Rivaldo and ronaldo though, were excellent.

Someone correct me if i'm wrongh.... it was a long time ago

 

[Ashish]

his assist for rivaldo goal against england was fantastic .. oh brasil was wearing blue jersey ... beckham tried to act cute, dnho ran through the midfield and rivaldo scored ... to be honest i was only watching one guy entire world cup .. it was damn time 1998

 

[Redman10]

his assist for rivaldo goal against england was fantastic .. oh brasil was wearing blue jersey ... beckham tried to act cute, dnho ran through the midfield and rivaldo scored ... to be honest i was only watching one guy entire world cup .. it was damn time 1998

 

[Redman10]

i don't remember him being in excellent form. He's remembered for that ridiculous free kick, but i seem to remember him being kind of irrelevant in 2002.

Rivaldo and ronaldo though, were excellent.

Someone correct me if i'm wrongh.... it was a long time ago

He was pretty good in 02. I believe he was voted into the team of the tournament. He had 2 goals and 3 assist. It should of been more assist I remember setting up Ronaldo and Rivaldo alot.

 

[Kalac#16]

England should have beat that Brazil team

 

[necromancer]

Agreed with most of what's being said, and it may be down to pure subjective love for me Who couldnt love Totti, Nesta and Maldini at their primes?

Yes, 2006 Italy midfield was far superior, no argument there.

 

[Jivara]

Serginho?

and considering the unfounded criticism Pirlo and Seedorf receive on this thread I would list them as the first just look at what they are doing today

 

[Ashish]

and considering the unfounded criticism Pirlo and Seedorf receive on this thread I would list them as the first just look at what they are doing today

how cute

 

[Redman10]

Ricardo Oliveria. Flopped at Milan but he was a good striker in La Liga even after his stint in Milan. I think he went to Zaragosa and found his scoring touch again.

 

[Danilo JBG]

i don't remember him being in excellent form. He's remembered for that ridiculous free kick, but i seem to remember him being kind of irrelevant in 2002.

Rivaldo and ronaldo though, were excellent.

Someone correct me if i'm wrongh.... it was a long time ago

It was a long time ago indeed, but I think Ronaldinho was important for that team. Certainly a level below Ronaldo and Rivaldo, who were the stars of that side, but still important.

By the way, World Cup produces some very weird moments for such a highly rated competition. I remember one of Brazil's most impressive players during the tournament was Kléberson. He even went to Manchester United later, but he turned out to be nothing special. The funny thing is that he got a very random chance being called up for 2010 World Cup when he was basically doing nothing special at club level neither did anything special for the NT under Dunga.

Other player that was key at the time was the goalkeeper Marcos. He spent his entire carreer here in Brazil, so he doesn't seem to have that much recognition among football fans worldwide.

By the way, that 2002 squad had plenty of players that still played here in Brazil at the time.