This discussion commands a comment!
Ze; you and I have quarrelled on this one for an eternity

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I'll have to be on Tazz side (on most accounts) for this one.
But let me start by Ze and Falcao's (hilarious

) remark, that Brazil would be better without the "European's"...
I mean... COME ON!
The European sides are the richest- that makes it possible for them to buy all the best South American players. Brazil and Argentina + the other South American sides are producing raw talents in abundance and therefore you still have very competitive leagues, but the jewels will go to Europe at some point. As the best players will make out the best team a number of "Europeans" is absolutely necessary.
Therefore Brazil's only problem is bad management, lack of team stability and bad attitude which- incidentally- is a result of point number one.
As has been said ealier Brazil tends to overestimate their own skill as well, and in a period when the team is looking far from flawless, this loss against Paraguay was almost logical.
Brazil can bounce back, but don't give me "We're the best in the world" right now. Concerning raw talent you may still be, but that's not going to win you anything.
One thing that makes the Argies tick (and France for that matter) is that they have a number of players who play consistently well in very important games at a high level in Europe. Every point/game is important and they make few mistakes. If You look at their sides they have more players with Europes most succesfull/consistent teams (trophee wise) than Brazil and more importantly- their players are all key players with their sides whereas the Brazilains provide the sparkles technically, but aren't the back bones (except from Emerson at Leverkusen which is still not a BIG side) of their respective sides.
Players like Veron, Batistuta, Lopez, Crespo, Zanetti, Simeone (imagine if Redondo wanted to play) are all mega stars, but they all have a work ethic as well. I don't see that in Brazil and when they encounter a determined opposition and it doesn't quite go their way I don't think you're that good (for the moment).
You're obviously still one of the very best teams around, but it's not BRAZIL if you know what I mean. Don't tell me the U-23 would alter that and don't tell me Rivaldo isn't a given in this team. What you need is a reliable central defence and complete central midfielders who have played in commanding roles in Europe who can both play and work.
I expect Emerson to be a star in the WC 2002, because he's tremendously skilled and works like a beast as well. Going to Roma (with ALOT of pressure to win on him every week- not only with Brazil) will only benefit him and Brazil.
If Edmilson will play with Arsenal this season I expect him to be better DEFENSIVELY/TACHTICALLY in no time. Wenger and the old guys will teach him for sure. Attacking talent will always be there with Brazil, but if the "selecao" (?) is always changed it will never look like a coherent attack.
I haven't been impressed by any Brazilian team in WC's since 1986- honestly I mean that. The game against France in '86was fantastic and Zico-Sokrates deserved better. 1990- hard to imagine a less fortunate exit than Caniggia's goal off Argentina's only chance, but it still wasn't a VERY good side. After that you all know how you've been playing at WC's- even if you managed to win in '94 it wasn't a side to remember was it ?.
Brazil is the biggest football power ever and will propably remain so, but right now you're only one among a crowd of teams chasing France and Argentina. Period

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Ciao.