Gab and Juls Show: Room to Improve for Brazil!

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0:31This is the Gab and Jules Show presented by Gusto. I'm Gab. He's Jules. No clue about the weather in London, Jules. We don't need to know. We have blue skies here on the east coast of the U.S. Tons to get through today. The World Cup has well and truly started. Lots of news coming outside of the World Cup as well with transfers, changes going. But I think there's one place to start. Brazil against Morocco in North Jersey. He exits 16W. You were there. It finished 1-1.

1:04Julien Laurens:Yeah, I think it was one of the games in this first round that a lot of people were looking forward to because they're two outstanding teams, two top 10 teams in the FIFA ranking, for example. And I think, in a way, we were not disappointed because a lot of the things that happened on that pitch, we kind of expected it, really. I've seen Brazil against France back in March, here on the east coast of the US as well, and they were not very good. They were not very good again against Morocco. a Moroccan side that is far more attractive than the one that reached the semi-final four years ago, for example, or that won AFCON or didn't win AFCON, depending on where you stand.

1:38Julien Laurens:And in a way, if I was a bit not disappointed by the way Brazil played, but certainly shocked by how poor they were collectively through the whole game, even in the second half where they were a bit better. However, this Moroccan team is very exciting, that's for sure. Yeah, I think they are exciting. And I think there was a lot of pressure. I mean, I know we're going to get into Brazil and Carletto and a lot of the criticisms and Neymar and all this jazz. But I don't want to overlook, I thought, the performance that Morocco put in. Because let's not forget, they were under quite a bit of pressure as well.

2:10Expectations are so high with Morocco going into this because of the money that they've invested in their national team, because of the performances they put in, because of the semifinals last time around. And Jules, I thought they weren't cowed at all. I thought they went out there with confidence. They looked at that, you know, more experienced, if you want, Brazilian midfield. Boadi's 18 years old. He's got the head of a 30-year-old in there. Calm, like a cucumber. Cool as a cucumber, I should say. And while we can maybe criticize some of the Brazil defending on the opening goal, it's not just about Morocco's goal.

2:50It's about they showed no fear whatsoever. They played with confidence. and they seem determined to out football Brazil.

3:00Julien Laurens:Yeah, completely. And that's the team that they are anyway, especially since Mohamed Wabi replaced Walid Regragui at the head of this team. The problem, I guess, in a way, and we will see that further in the tournament, is that one, they don't have enough depth in their squads. So outside of those starting 11, maybe 12, 13 are best. The rest are not at the same level. and we saw in that second half when Brazil made their subs and when Morocco made theirs, the difference was quite striking. I thought, and also the way they play, because they are far more attacking than under Regragui, where they were much more of a solid block, this time they will concede chances.

3:40Julien Laurens:And we saw that. And for Issa Diop, who is a new Moroccan international, really, and Riyad next to him in that pair of centre-backs, it could be difficult at times, especially with Masraoui and Hakimi being so attacking as full-backs. So they're not perfect, but certainly the way they play was very entertaining in that game. And the fact that Brazil let them take charge of the game for, let's say, an hour or so, I think show you how good that was. Yeah, I think the centre-backs are potentially an issue for Morocco as a tournament progresses as well. Of course, they've got absentees as well. But let's turn to Brazil, some of Ancelotti's choices.

4:19Igor Tiago I think goes into the bucket of those players who've done very well abroad for a smaller club at Brentford. And some people in Brazil are kind of scratching their heads a little bit. Like, who is this guy? Are we sure we wanted to go with this? Certainly, I thought they looked better. Business picked up once Cunha came on. But it's not quite that simple, is it? And people are going to be asking, they're already asking for Hendrik from the start. Chuck Hendrik right in there.

4:50Julien Laurens:I mean, for Igor Tiago to start made absolutely no sense from Carlo Ancelotti. And I won't lie, we all love Carlo. He's a great guy, one of the greatest head coach in history, managers in history of the game. But he got everything wrong in his team lineup, even in his substitution to a certain extent, or when he made them. Because to start with Igor Tiago in a game like this was really, I mean, I saw Arthur clueless from Carlo. You're right when Cunha came on. Why is Hendrik not coming on? Makes no sense whatsoever. How can Ibania start a right back in a game like this? Makes no sense either. So there was a lot of issues, I think, even within tactically the team that Carlo tried to, well, picked and then have the game there.

5:31Julien Laurens:And to be fair, even if you look at what he asked of Rafinha through the first half, played or through the first hour, played him in like four different positions. It was ridiculous. Yeah, so there's a lot to get stuck into there. It's not just Igor Thiago. We'll see how he responds now. I thought Paqueta had a really difficult performance. And I was really disappointed in him. Casemiro as well. But Casemiro's getting criticism for not being mobile on the pitch and whatever. But again, we saw Casemiro play badly in this game, but we've seen him play very well towards the end of his time in Manchester United.

6:08I have less of an issue with that. Roger Ibanez was just weird. You could see that maybe in some context as a defensive stopper. But I think in this context of this game, I really sent the wrong message as well. And then on top of all that, because, of course, when it rains, it pours. A guy from O Globo reporting that the inclusion of Neymar, because we have to talk about Neymar because it's Brazil. we always talk about Neymar, that that was the result of political pressure, the son of somebody in the Supreme Court and stuff like that. And then Ancelotti doesn't really want him there. Ancelotti's used to dealing with political pressure.

6:49He's done his entire life. I don't know what to believe. I'm not saying it's right. But there's a level of self-harm going on here as well if we're going to make Neymar an issue on a team that already has so many other issues, right?

7:01Julien Laurens:Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I guess I didn't think he would take Neymar. We discussed it many times on the show before the World Cup, before the squad was announced. I thought he was inviting more pressure, more problems potentially. Now he's injured anyway. We're not even sure if he'd be fit for the second game, let alone maybe even the third game of this group stage. So I'm not really sure. I mean, he was there on the touchline, you know, shaking hands with Tom Brady and Travis Scott and things like that. This is it really? Is that why he's here? I don't know. It didn't make much sense to me. Yeah, I think we expect changes second time round.

7:37I would imagine there'll be room for Danilo somewhere in this lineup. Casemiro coming under scrutiny, I would imagine he'll keep his place. To me, the big question is up front, which of the three, Gortiago, maybe Cunha or Endrick? And does he make the changes all at once? Obviously, it's Haiti up next. and needless to say you can't screw this up. I don't think you just need a win you just need a performance in this one Jules but Jules we got plenty more to get through so to everybody watching us don't forget to tune in to ESPN FC with Dan, Craig, Ali Stevie Nichol, the rest of the guys every day throughout the World Cup coming up where we've got more quick hits to talk about Like I said, not just World Cup, but also a new face at Real Madrid, a new face at Bayern Munich.

8:33The transfer window rumbles off.

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11:35Quick Hits is brought to you by Gusto. Gusto is your small business partner for payroll, benefits, and so much more. Get started for free at gusto.com. Jules, enough Brazil. How about some quick hits instead? Let's go, Gab. The United States demolished Paraguay 4-1 to open their tournament. Jules saw my skepticism from some, including us, around Mauricio Pochettino. I'd say he answered the call and shut us up for now, but I gotta ask you, which piece of Tekkers do you prefer? Christian Pulisic teleporting between two defenders or Gio Reyna's delicious outside of the boot finish?

12:18Julien Laurens:Yeah, I mean, for me, it would have to be Gio Reyna's goal and Alamodric if you want, because Pulisic's dribbling was good, but he still pushes the ball a bit too far in a way. And then it's a non-goal that scores the goal. I think Reyna, albeit with a lot of space for him to get into the box, that finish is still very special great first half i mean he helps when you face a paraguay team that you know forgot their football at home it helps when you score so early it helps when you've got that kind of dynamism and the energy that the u.s the u.s players showed great i think maybe what again to go back to what we said about morocco what could be a problem for pochettino and his team is the lack of depth when key players have to come out including pulisic at halftime after that a little niggle that he picked up, then I think the level drops a little bit.

13:05Julien Laurens:But hey, in terms of the first start in this tournament, it was good, very good. It was great. And also, I think for us to leave this World Cup here, that was the perfect start. That's what we needed for the whole country to be really in this World Cup spirit. Yeah, I think you need to. It always helps when the hosts ignite the enthusiasm with performances like that. Germany demolished Kurosawa 7-1. Gab, I mean, they were really never in it, although they scored to come back to 1-1. But were you impressed with the Germans? Look, I think with all the questions surrounding Nagelsmann going in, I thought he answered them.

13:42I liked inclusion of Nathaniel Brown into the lineup. I obviously love my Kai Havertz, the best on earth. That said, I don't know how much you learned from this, because this was a game also the way Curaçao approached it. Curaçao said, hey, we're here. Let's have a go. Let's not go and necessarily park the bus the way we would have. And you know Germany. Germany loved to run up the score like nobody else. If they played Little League baseball, they would get kicked out. So, yeah, no. I want to see them. Look, I think this is when we'll get to Ecuador and Cote d 'Ivoire. I think the other two are going to be a completely different proposition for Germany.

14:24But, yeah, so far so good. You can only beat what's in front of you. Holland twice take the lead and twice get pegged Holland twice take the lead even and twice get pegged back by Japan, yes Japan, Jules I'm obviously going to be biased here given that I'm supporting Japan in this World Cup so I'm going to let you handle this but I suspect you're going to take issue with the Dutch guy and his inability to hold the lead and move to change formations at 2-1 up

14:54Julien Laurens:I mean if you've been listening and watching us for the last few years, both on our show, also on the FC show, you would know that I don't rate and don't like the Dutch guy at all. But again, this game, and I don't want to feel vindicated. I don't care. There's a reason why the Dutch guy is the Dutch guy. It's because he does things like we saw yesterday. And take nothing away from Japan, who I thought were really good and kept going and kept believing. Moriatsu's changes made a difference. Koeman, please, man. This idea that you have to go to a back five for the last 25, 30 minutes, 20 minutes of games like this makes no sense whatsoever anymore.

15:34Julien Laurens:This is something that maybe you could do in the 80s, but not anymore now. Those substitutions that he made yesterday just killed his team and killed the game that they had on the controller 2-1 up, really. And I think it's not the first time. It won't be the last time. I don't think Koeman is a good manager, hence why he's the Dutch guy. But yesterday showed it again. I'm sorry for all the Netherlands fans. Yeah, I kind of have to agree with you. I mean, I want to give credit to Japan. I saw Moriaz's plan. Like you said, I think even when they were behind, you know, I mean, you go behind, big verge, hey, it's going to happen, right?

16:11But I think he got into his head with this idea of these little guys in blue running around and they're so fast and they're so, you know, we mustn't get caught, you know, let's go and tighten up the defense. And I generally think he got outcoached basically this one. More to come from him, it's still early in the tournament. But I think a real morale booster as well for Japan.

16:33Julien Laurens:Shock result in Vancouver Gabas, Turkey, fall to Australia, 2-0. Tough nights for your boy, Vincenzo Montella, on the bench. Yeah, he's getting absolute pelters. He's getting absolute pelters too over Hakan Chalanoglu, who's kind of in the middle of this because I think he started his first game for the national team. or maybe his first game overall in a long time. I think he played against Colmo in the Coppa Italia for Inter. They had kind of the epitome of sterile possession in this one. Look, they were beaten by an absolute worldie from Irencunda. For the first one, Irencunda, I'm sure you know by now, everybody knows a tremendous story.

17:14You know, a refugee from Burkina Faso born in Tanzania and a refugee camp and everything and sort of this explosion of power and pace and everything. Turkey had 72 % possession, by some counts even higher. But if you don't translate that into clear chances, you're going to struggle. Having Arda Guler out on the wing seems slightly counterintuitive against a team like Australia who defended in the manner they did. You know, maybe after all, Koglu up front, not the obvious solution. I think if this game ended a draw, it would not have been a scandal. But I think Turkey are going to be disappointed.

18:01And, you know, let's not forget that they know that they're going to have to face a host as well in this. So I think the next game becomes very much a must win for them. Shout out to Australia, too. I was a skeptic in some ways. I'm still a skeptic. but three wins is just the best way obviously three points is obviously the best way to start in the group stage now unlike the other two hosts Canada do not open with a win they're held 1-1 by Bosnia Jules

18:33Julien Laurens:yeah I was there though in Toronto and what a great occasion it was first of all they made history by hosting their first ever World Cup game the 19th country to do so and then they made history another time by getting their first point in World Cup as well after losing the last three games in 2022, losing the three games in 1986 as well. Coming from behind against the Bosnian team, that was so disappointing, I thought, with the ball. They scored on the set piece. They were only good on set pieces for the rest. They tried to slow the game down. They tried to defend. And that was it. I thought credit Toronto and Jesse Marge, who made big calls in his substitutions.

19:10Julien Laurens:And even if he's not your cup of tea, for example, I really struggled with the fact that he sang the Canadian national anthem when the guy is American. But anyway, that's another story. But I think credit to Canada and the atmosphere really in Toronto was outstanding. It was incredible. It was a sea of red with a little bit of blue, a patch of blue in the stadium. But they were really up for it. And I was glad that at least they got a point. And now they play Qatar next. And, you know, with four points, they probably qualify for the next round. So, you know, good for Canada overall for that first game in the tournament.

19:40Yeah, that was a statement. I mean, whether Jesse Marsh agrees or not, he's singing in other countries national anthem in that context. I don't want to over-hug it, but it's definitely bold. Jonathan David, I thought struggling again, replaced by Promise David, with whom he's not related. But yeah, Bosnia Bosnia in this game. And yeah, maybe they could have done more, but the point suits them just fine.

20:10Julien Laurens:Alain Ahmad Diallo-Strake gives Côte d 'Ivoire a 1-0 win over Ecuador. Gab, you were there and I know you rate both teams. Yeah, and both teams kind of reinforced it. Now, I rate them for slightly different reasons. Ecuador, this idea that I think many people had, that this is purely a defensive team because of all the defensive talent that they have and everything. In fact, they only conceded five goals in World Cup qualifying. No, they can attack too. They hit the woodwork numerous times with better finishing. I think they would have scored. I think they probably deserved something out of this game, certainly in the first half.

20:47But Jules, the story within the story is Jan Diomande. I was so excited to see him in person. It's the first time I've ever seen him. He's up against Piero Incapia in that first half. Piero Incapia is going to have nightmares about him. Honestly, and it's not just the raw athleticism. It's not just get the ball, stand up your defender and try to beat him. He's just such an intelligent player as well. They talked afterwards about his coach, Amir Sved, talked about how, you know, he's so coachable, so smart. Certainly a huge performance. In the second half, he moved to the other flank, showing he can do it there.

21:23Sebastian Bekochic reacted by kind of redrawing his defense so that he'd be up against Joel Ordonez. And Joel Ordonez with help, with other players coming inside. But when he's like this, he does seem unplayable. Now, maybe he's not going to do this every week, but he did it against some very good defenders in Ecuador. Let's see what he can do in the next couple of games. Sweden demolished Tunisia 5-1 as Alexander Isak scores one and dishes out two assists. Jules, this is the same guy Liverpool fans have been waiting for.

21:58Julien Laurens:Yeah, well, I mean, it looks sharper, certainly, than what we saw in the season with Liverpool. Although he's very lucky on his goal because the keeper should have saved it. We saw him scoring a great goal as well against Norway in one of the friendly games that Sweden had in their preparation for this tournament. I thought his front two with Gokeres worked well. But again, against them, that Tunisia team and Tunisia defence was just all over the place. Unacceptable really from a team that had been quite solid to be fair in qualifications. And that already I think there would be consequences. I was hearing this morning that Sabri Lamouchi was about to get sacked one game into this tournament.

22:38Julien Laurens:I believe it's the first time ever in World Cup history, because we don't really count Julien Lopetegui in Spain in 2018. First time ever that a manager starts the World Cup and then gets sacked after the start of it. So I think that Sweden were good and it's a big win for them and good for Graham Potter. He's a little bit of the pressure, but Tunisia were horrendous in the game. Can I just say, if Tunisia sacked Sabri Lamouchi after one game during the World Cup, he can't be the only one to go. Whoever appointed him, the whole people at the top, they have to go too because this is just unserious.

23:11Julien Laurens:A late on goal from substitut, Miro Mouheim, gives Qatar a 1-1 draw against Switzerland. Gav, this would be cruel. Yeah, this guy comes on as a substitute later on. And, you know, Switzerland are doing kind of the Swiss thing. They take the lead. They have a couple more chances. Slightly dubious, I thought, the penalty. but Brea Lombolo goes and converts it. And then Kross comes in, and I don't know if he loses his bearing. He's a bit unlucky as well. And Cutter get a point. Who would have thought Cutter getting a point at his World Cup after their fine performance at home four years ago? Switzerland are going to be just fine.