The gap between South -American and European teams may not be as wide as expected at the World Cup, but according to the technical experts there is still a clear gap in their efficiency for the goal.
Arsene Wenger, Fifa’s Chief of Global Football Development, and Juergen Klinsmann, former Germany and the American coach of the National Team, spoke to a round table on Saturday when the tournament starts his knockout phase.
«At the start of the competition, many opponents seemed to be afraid of playing against the European teams,» Wenger said.
«But as things progressed – especially the Brazilians – they started to realize that it might not be that different.»
Flamengo and Botafogo defeated European teams during the group stage of the 32-team competition, with the 1-0 victory of the latter at the European Champions Paris St. Germain.
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Wenger said that the growing faith, especially among Brazilian parties, has shifted the dynamic on the way to the last 16.
«Maybe it is also because they have had the confidence to do it. That mentality can mean that we will see another Brazil in the knockout phase than we saw in the group phase,» he added.
The Frenchman emphasized the influence of Filipe Luis, whose flamengo side showed what Wenger called the most European tactical profile among South American parties during the tournament.
«Filipe has … played in Europe, and you can see that in the way his team approaches the game,» Wenger said.
Gap closure
Wenger and Klinsmann said that South American clubs quickly die the gap in infrastructure and preparation.
«When we visited the teams, we saw delegations of up to 100 people – support staff, analysts, advisers,» Wenger said. «With squadrons from 23 to 35 players, these clubs are now completely professional in every department. With that level of preparation, teams can learn quickly.»
However, the most important difference remains in progress.
«In the last third part, European clubs are just more clinical,» Wenger said.
Klinsmann agreed and said that the real gap is in mentality.
«Experience is also a large part of the quality,» he said. «When does a club like Pachuca or Monterrey (from Mexico) play in a tournament like this?»
Based on his time as an American national coach, Klinsmann emphasized the importance of testing players outside their comfort zones.
«That’s why I have always said:» Take us to Copa America. Bring us to Europe. «That is the kind of competition that develops a winning mentality,» he said.
“If this tournament were to be held again next year, Pachuca would be another team – more confidently, more refined.
«But they must be more clinical. When you are in the box, it is your head that makes the decision, not just your feet. And that is the difference.»
With the round of 16 on the road on Saturday, analysts said that the knockout phases would give a clearer picture of how much land -American teams tactically and psychologically made up.
«We can now see very different attitudes,» Wenger said.
Flamengo will be opposed to Bayern Munich and Inter Milan will meet Fluminense on Sunday.
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