Dec 042015
 
Shakhtar Donetsk - Brazil's Finishing School

Neymar’s recent four match suspension caused Brazil coach Dunga a great deal of consternation as the Seleção embarked upon CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. Prior to the opening qualifier with Chile in Santiago, the CBF went cap in hand to CONMEBOL and asked for their captain’s ban to be reduced. Dunga selected only 22 of his 23 squad allocation in case the governing bodies looked kindly upon Brazil’s pleas. It was to no avail. Hulk and […]

Jan 302015
 
Galo Child (Slight Return): Bernard Out In The Cold At Shakhtar

During the last fortnight, Shakhtar Donetsk have been touring Brazil, playing winter break friendlies with Serie A sides Flamengo, Atlético Mineiro, Internacional, Cruzeiro and recently relegated Bahia. With 14 Brazilians currently listed in their first team squad, this was a literal homecoming for a significant portion of the Shakhtar squad. For no player was this slight return more spiritually nourishing than for Bernard Duarte. His move to the Ukraine has been difficult from the very […]

Jul 082014
 
Brazil 1 - Germany 7 (seven) - Be Careful Who You Blame

Where do you start? You could discuss everything from Scolari’s selection decisions, Neymar’s absence, Thiago Silva’s absence, or Fred’s absence. You could unfairly comment on Júlio César, who was once third choice at QPR and isn’t even the best goalkeeper in Major League Soccer where he now plays his club football. David Luiz’s irresponsibility as captain, wandering, carelessness, and non-existent defensive awareness. You could use this picture of the Brazil players’ average positions to back […]

Jun 272014
 
Brazil Top Group A With Hints of Plan B

Brazil secured the top spot in group A after duly disposing of a Cameroon side who exited the tournament without a single point. The Seleção weren’t entirely convincing as they advanced to the knock-out stages, but progression is the only aim at this stage and the host nation are an intriguing, entertaining prospect heading towards the business end. The starting eleven which was widely predicted before the start of the tournament has been Luiz Felipe Scolari’s mainstay, […]

Oct 102013
 
Brazil Shape up Ahead of South Korea & Zambia Friendlies

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Brazil face South Korea at midday this Saturday (UK time), with plenty of players in the side looking to make an impression as the 2014 World Cup gets ever closer. The game will take place at the Seoul World Cup Stadium – one of the stadiums used during the 2002 World Cup which was won by Scolari’s Brazil, although they didn’t play there. Brazil will face a South Korean side who have already […]

Aug 102013
 
Bernard Joins Shakhtar's Brazilian Contingent

The ongoing rumours surrounding the future of Atlético Mineiro star Bernard were put to rest this week, when he joined the Ukranian club Shakhtar Donetsk. Bernard becomes the latest in a long line of Brazilians to join the Donetsk based club, and becomes the fourth Brazilian they’ve signed in this transfer window alone. There had been much speculation regarding Bernard’s future, with clubs such as Porto, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, and Borussia Dortmund all thought to […]

Jul 252013
 
Atlético Mineiro Triumph in Copa Libertadores Final v Olimpia

Atlético Mineiro continued the recent Brazilian domination of the most prestigious competition in South American club football, as they defeated Olimpia of Paraguay on penalties in an entertaining Copa Libertadores final. Galo needed to overturn a two goal deficit from the first leg in Paraguay, and the home fans who packed into the Mineirão (attendance 58,620) certainly gave their side a lift to claw back the two goals they needed to take the game to […]

Jul 232013
 
Bye Bye Bernard? Copa Libertadores Final Preview

The all important second leg of the Copa Libertadores final takes place this week, as Paraguayan club Olimpia take a two goal lead into the game in Belo Horizonte – the home of their Brazilian opponents, Atlético Mineiro. The in demand Brazilian winger Bernard will be looking to help his side turn the tie around, as he plays what could be his final game for the club before his transfer to one of the many […]

Jul 112013
 
Bernard to Miss First Leg of Copa Libertadores Final

After giving Atlético Mineiro a vital early goal in their semi-final second leg against Newell’s Old Boys last night, Bernard went on to pick up a yellow card which means he’ll miss the first leg of the final. He gave his team the lead in the third minute of the game, with a first time left foot shot which zipped past Newell’s keeper Nahuel Guzmán. The Belo Horizonte born attacker used his blistering pace to latch onto a […]

May 312013
 
Bernard - Brazilian Stars of the Future

Bernard is an attacking midfielder who has come through the youth ranks at Belo Horizonte based club Atlético Mineiro. Jump to Scout Report He came through as a senior player in 2010, and was loaned out to Democrata of Sete Lagoas, where he scored an impressive 14 goals in 16 appearances. On his return to Atlético Mineiro he made sporadic appearances for the first team, but was then returned to their youth side where he […]