In the list of who can hope for the world title it seems complicated that Germany, England and Spain can aim for the highest place on the podium
A few hours from Qatar 2022 we begin to evaluate the chances of the final victory of the greats of world football. Argentina, Brazil And France are considered the favourites. Other big ones, such as Germany, England, Spain and Belgium, are a step below even the recent past. Then there are selections that could reserve some surprises, such as Holland and above all Portugalwithout counting two national teams that have squads of a high technical level such as Croatia And Serbia.
ARGENTINA
Scaloni started as interim selector and has become a staple of the Albiceleste. The results are on his side (Copa America 2021 and easy world qualification). In addition, he has been able to give a high-level organization to his selection, who knows how to move almost like a club team. In front of Emiliano Martinez, goalkeeper of Aston Villa, Scaloni can field a back four with Molina, Romero, Otamendi or Lisandro Martinez and Tagliafico. In midfield De Paul, Paredes and Rodriguez (with Fernandez and Mc Allister as alternatives), while in attack there is the Messi-Lautaro-Di Maria trident, with luxury “reserves” of the caliber of Dybala, Nicolas Gonzalez and Julian Alvarez.
BRAZIL
Tite is a perfect synthesis between the “jogo bonito” of the best years of the Seleçao and a European-style offensive approach, with flashes of positional play. The rose is excellent. In goal Alisson has Ederson as an alternative. In defense, Danilo and Alex Sandro (or Alex Telles) on the wings with the couple Thiago Silva-Marquinhos in the center (luxury reserves Bremer and Militao). In midfield Casemiro and Fred, with the addition of Fabinho or Paquetà in the event of a three-man line-up, while the attack foresees Rafinha and Vinicius on the wings and Neymar behind Gabriel Jesus, with Antony, Martinelli, Pedro, Rodrygo and Richarlison to complete a group of points of the highest level.
FRANCE
Deschamps is the reigning champion with all the honors and burdens that the title entails. The risks are those of the lack of stimuli and the possibility that the group may not be constantly “on track” thinking that the coach will leave the national team at the end of the world cup. In front of Lloris, there is the possibility of playing a three in defense (Koundé, Konaté, Varane or Upamecano or Lucas Hernandez) with Pavard and Theo Hernandez on the flanks, or a four. A lot of quality and quantity in midfield with Rabiot, Tchouameni and Camavinga (or Fofana or Guendouzi). In front of Griezmann behind the super duo Benzema-Mbappé, with Giroud and Dembelé able to change the game system and attack trajectories.
GERMANY
Loew made way for Flick and handed him a Germany not up to the one that has dominated international football in recent years. A lot of quality to choose in goal with Neuer, Ter Stegen and Trapp. In defense, apart from Rudiger, there are no players capable of making a difference. In midfield, the new coach relies on the hard core of Bayern, which he knows well: Gnabry, Goretzka, Kimmich, Musiala and Mueller, to which is added the quality of Gundogan, from City. Up front, you have to choose between Goetze’s experience, Havertz’s mobility, Moukoko’s freshness and Sané’s speed.
ENGLAND
Even Southgate’s national team doesn’t look like that of Russia ’18 or the European Championship hosted at home. The coach has received a lot of criticism for the insistence with which he continues to focus on Maguire in defense, leaving central players like Tomori or Smalling at home. Dier and Stone (or Walker) complete the back with Alexander Arnold and Shaw on the wings of a three (or five) defence. In midfield, the Rice-Bellingham (or Phillips) duo support the Sterling-Kane-Foden trident, with Greaslish, Maddison, Rashford, Saka and the Newcastle striker Wilson as alternatives.
SPAIN
He showcased the most attractive football at Euro ’20 with the limit of little materializing the enormous amount of game created. In any case, Luis Enrique’s positional 4-3-3 will have Unai Simon in goal, Carvajal or Azpilicueta on the right, Eric García and Pau Torres in the center and Jordi Alba or Gayá on the left. Classy midfield with a playmaker like Busquets (or Rodri from City) and midfielders of the level of Gavi (or Koke) and Pedri, and an attack with Ferran Torres or Yeremy Pino on the right, Morata, Asensio or Sarabia in the center and Dani Olmo or Ansu Fati on the left.
BELGIUM
Even the selection of Roberto Martinez, after the disappointment of the last European Championship, doesn’t seem like that of Russia ’18. He can always bet on one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Courtois. In the 3-4-3 of the Belgians, in defense the fixed points are always the central players Alderweireld and Vertonghen, while Meunier and Carrasco are the probable wingers of a four-man midfield, with Tielemans and Witsel in the middle. Up front, Lukaku’s conditions need to be understood. In case he doesn’t make it, Mertens, Trossard (from Brighton) or Batshuayi are ready. In support of the center forward all the class of De Bruyne and Hazard.
WHEN IT’S
Led by one of the coaches who made football history, Louis van Gaal, the orange national team could be one of the surprises by exploiting the pragmatism to which the Dutch holy man seems to have converted since Brazil ’14. The choice is the 5-3-2 of the world championship 8 years ago. Poor quality in goal (the goalkeeper will come out of the shortlist of three names: Bijlow of Feyenoord, Noppert of Heerenveen and Pasveer of Ajax). The defense is very solid with van Gaal who can choose between Ake, Timber, de Ligt and Stefan de Vrij the two to support van Dijk. On the wings Dumfries on the right and Blind on the left. In midfield Koopmeiners, De Jong and Berghuis guarantee a top-level interdiction phase. Up front, Depay should be joined by Gapko, the young Psv phenomenon.
PORTUGAL
Santos has a boundless breadth of talent at his disposal starting from a defense that will have Cancelo and Nuno Mendes on the outside and the physicality of Ruben Dias and the sagacity of Danilo to seal the department centrally, while in midfield the substance of William Carvalho and Ruben Neves as an alternative to Vitinha’s dribble. In attack, Diogo Jota absent due to injury, Santos can count on players like Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva behind Cristiano Ronaldo who is preparing to experience his last World Cup. Without considering the variables Leao and Joao Felix who would be untouchable stars in almost all other national teams. Fernando Santos has created a very cohesive group, with players of international quality, a mix of experienced players and young talents on the launch pad.
CROATIA AND SERBIA
The two former Yugoslav national teams are not accredited for the final victory but enter the group of the best by right. Croatia finished second in the last World Cup, Serbia has a squad up to the best. In midfield, Croatian coach Dalic can choose between Modric, Kovacic, Brozovic, Pasalic and Vlasic, while forward there are Perisic, Kramaric, Orsic and Petkovic (from Dinamo Zagreb). Safet Susic, the Serbian coach, has Vanja Milinkovic-Savic (Turin goalkeeper), Milenkovic (of Fiorentina), Pavlovic (of Salzburg), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Lukic, Kostic, Ilic and Lazovic (of Verona), Tadic (of Ajax), Mitrovic (of Fulham), Vlahovic, Djuricic, Jovic and Radonjic. This list is enough, including players that Italian football knows very well, young players sought out by the greatest players in European football and by now acquired certainties, to understand the absolute quality of the Serbian selection.
