|
Friday, 27 April 2012 15:42 |
|
Daniel Carrico has really matured as a defensive midfielder, and in the past few weeks, he's been excellent. Of course he isn't as technically gifted as Miguel Veloso, but he'll provide the physicality and athleticism that our midfield has missed since Costinha.
In the Euro 2008, our technical, but physically weak midfield of Deco, Meireles, and Petit was completely overrun by the much stronger, albeit less technical Germans. The current German side maintains the steel and strength of the 2008 squad with the likes of Schweinstiger and Khedira, but they are also much better technically with the brilliant Mesut Ozil.
I have said it before on many posts: Ozil will destroy Miguel Veloso. Miguel Veloso is a calm passer and he's great at taking set pieces. This is great against weak teams in qualification, but against the likes of Germany and Holland, we'll need a real defensive midfielder. Pepe can be excellent in this role, but he is needed at the heart of the defense.
Daniel Carrico is better technically than Pepe, and as a center back by trade, he'll offer the protection we so desperately need in the big teams.
Also against Holland, another team with physical midfielders, Carrico definitely should start. Not only do they have Sneijder, but their threat from the wings will cause us a lot of trouble. We saw what happened to Coentrao when Robben and Lahm constantly came down his wing. Ronaldo will not offer much support against Robben and van der Wiel, so Carrico will be needed to support Coentrao.
Hopefully Bento will realize what Carrico can do for the seleccao. If we use a midfield of Moutinho, Meireles, and Veloso, we will definitely be eliminated.
|
