Cascarino: Torres Needed for Spain & Brazil’s Kaka to Up his Game
Brazil were my tip to win the World Cup before the finals kicked off and they still have a great chance to do that. Having seen them struggle to open up a resilient North Korean team, it is obvious the Brazilians will need to improve particularly a few of their star individuals.
One of the biggest disappointments for me was the form of Kaka. He just didn’t look like he could get away from the opposition which is what we’ve come to expect of him. Kaka has struggled at Real Madrid and that lack of confidence and perhaps fitness showed. There’s no doubt he will have to pick up his game dramatically as will star striker Luis Fabiano.
The Sevilla striker has an excellent scoring record for his country although the goals seem to have dried up of late and it showed with his less than confident performance. A goal would make all the difference to Fabiano and Brazil need him at his best if they are to win the tournament.
Robinho looked like he was in the mood to perform against North Korea and there is no doubt he is a top quality player when he wants to be. What I particularly like about Brazil is that not only are they a well organised outfit in terms of structure and defensive strength but they also have a number of players who can turn a game with a moment of magic. It also helps that the team is quite big physically too.
The other favourites for the competition Spain were beaten in their opening game by Switzerland which was a huge shock. The actual game reminded me so much of Barcelona’s Champions League semi-final home leg against Inter Milan. The Spanish side like Barca were banging at the door for most of the game but could not find a way through the well organised Swiss defence. Spain dominated the ball but I was surprised at how little they actually created.
Spain are good enough to win their next two matches and qualify but they need a change to their formation in my opinion. I was shocked that Fernando Torres was on the bench for so long with Spain playing with two holding midfielders against a very defensive Switzerland. If the Spanish are to live up to their billing as one of the favourites then Torres needs to play up next to Villa to give well organised defences more to contend with.
There was no need for Spain to play with both Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso in the side against the Swiss and with wins now needed, I expect Busquets to drop out and Torres to start. Jesus Navas made a difference when he came on so the Sevilla winger may well have played himself into contention but I am pretty sure Torres will be in the side from now on as Spain go all out to attack.
Tags: Brazil, Fernando Torres, Kaka, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, World Cup
