The bench was not enough: Brazil lost to Cameroon and leaves doubts about its supremacy | CHRONICLE

Tite, the coach who will leave after Qatar 2022, is an obsessive planner unlike his Brazilian colleagues who do not enjoy the same fame. He planned rest for his starters after qualifying in the first two rounds. What could go wrong with Gabriel Jesús, Antony and Rodrygo in attack? The statistics also indicated that no African country had ever defeated ‘Scratch’ in a World Cup.

Cameroon He didn’t seem to be the match for laying down the story. He had lost to Switzerland and then had drawn three with Serbia, two rivals who had not done any harm to Brazil, beyond wearing them down. With all that data, Tite sent to the field to Daniel Alves, in a decision that was more a tribute than anything else. Not even in free kicks, with his look like an old alligator, could Alves cause anxiety.

Fred and Fabinho, pillars of the two institutions with the longest tradition in the Premier League such as Manchester United and Liverpool, controlled the midfield to a certain extent, as in various sections of the game they succumbed to the physical wonders of the Cameroonians. Go ahead, Rodrygo was most decorous. Without being a fantasist, he caused fouls and yellow cards. Not in vain did he touch Ronaldo’s legs.

Martinelli, the Arsenal striker who slipped through the window, was another of the few Brazilians who badly took advantage of his opportunity: he had two chances to open the scoring. But Epassy, ​​the African archer, denied him with feline overhands. In the first half he was a header and in the second a shot with the inside edge.

Those who disappointed were Gabriel Jesus, but above all Antony, a circus firuletero who thinks he plays football well; a productive juggler in the ‘camotitos’, but arid facing the goal. From his feet, tired of feinting, a powerful or cornered shot was never born. Just jokes that did not surprise anyone. Gabriel Jesús, with his apathy, confirmed why richarlison he took the job.

Militao did not provide due security. Less Bremer. Alex Telles was a soul in the left lane. In the second half, Tite sent two starters like Marquinhos and Raphinha to the field and three substitutes in search of opportunities: Everton Ribeiro, Bruno Guimaraes and Pedro. None managed to put on the cape. The cape was actually reserved for Vincent Aboubakar: with his agonizing goal, Cameroon became the first African country to beat Brazil in a World Cup.

Now South Korea lurks that took Uruguay out of the race. Brazil, who had not lost in the first phase since France 98, cannot commit another false step. Or else he will go home. It seems that Neymar is back on one foot. Let’s see what his wand has to offer.