Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
Brazil’s bitter 4-1 defeat to Argentina within the March CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers has despatched shockwaves via the soccer world, with former Seleção star Felipe Melo rising as probably the most vocal critics. The ex-Juventus and Inter midfielder didn’t maintain again in his evaluation, blasting the nationwide staff’s lack of battle whereas additionally defending Neymar’s significance, claiming Brazil can not succeed with out their No. 10—even when he’s solely half-fit.
The humiliating defeat at El Monumental noticed Argentina cruise previous their arch-rivals, inflicting Brazil’s heaviest-ever loss in World Cup qualifying historical past. Julian Alvarez’s early aim set the tone, and regardless of a quick glimmer of hope for the guests, La Albiceleste’s dominance was overwhelming. The defeat has intensified stress on head coach Dorival Junior, who’s struggling to search out consistency with a squad lacking key gamers, together with Neymar.
Actually, the nation’s struggles with out their talisman have been well-documented, and the numbers from latest years paint a regarding image of simply how dependent the Seleção stays on their injured star.
Since Neymar’s worldwide debut in 2010, Brazil has performed 64 matches with out him, successful solely 54.7% of these video games and dropping 20.3%—one in each 5 matches. Nonetheless, with Neymar on the pitch, the staff’s win price soars to almost 72%, whereas their loss share drops to simply 9.4%.
The influence is much more pronounced in World Cup qualifiers. Within the 28 qualifiers Neymar has performed, his aspect has suffered only one defeat. With out him, their report takes a success: in 21 qualifiers with out the Santos star, they’ve misplaced 5 instances, drawn 5, and received 11.
What did Felipe Melo say about Neymar and Brazil’s struggles?
Talking on his Instagram dwell stream, Felipe Melo couldn’t cover his frustration, each at Brazil’s poor first-half show and what he perceives as an unjustified dismissal of Neymar’s affect.
“I’m going to dam anybody who says they don’t want Neymar. Neymar with just one leg is the ten for the Seleção,“ the 41-year-old ranted. “They stated so much earlier than the sport, and Argentina made it to the ultimate. Brazil didn’t. 3-1 wasn’t sufficient. Should you change your perspective, you may draw, however you need to change your perspective.”
The former Brazil worldwide, who was capped 22 instances, additionally criticized the staff’s general mindset, arguing that their lack of battle was as a lot in charge for the consequence as their tactical shortcomings.
“A awful first half for the nationwide staff. Thank God we scored a aim. Now we actually have to attend for the coach to alter one thing. It has to alter, 3-1… I’ll speak to you… I consider till the top. The primary half ended, and Brazil needed to battle. Brazil, which fights amongst themselves, has to go to the locker room and begin combating, for the great of the nationwide staff.”
