Extraordinary coach

In this World Cup, it was quite easy for the Brazilian team to advance to the quarterfinals.

It can also be said that the Brazilian team has been quite lucky since the start of the World Cup.

Not only did they not have any strong opponents in the group, but they also had great luck in avoiding old opponents.

After entering the round of 16, they met the Mexican team, which was of average strength.

Some people couldn't help but say that the Brazilian team was almost guaranteed to enter the quarterfinals.

However, the Brazilian team's ease and good luck along the way also ended here.

In the next quarterfinals, their real test came.

Because they met a very strong opponent, the European Red Devils - Belgium.

The Belgian team was considered a second-rate team for a long time. At its lowest point, its world ranking was only five places higher than that of the Chinese team.

But the Belgian team is very different now. In the latest world ranking, the Belgian team ranks third in the world. It is only second to the second-ranked Brazilian team and the first-ranked German team.

Well, the German team has gone home. Nothing to say.

But this also shows that the Belgian team is the highest-ranked opponent that the Brazilian team has encountered in this World Cup.

With the world's No. 1 already back home, the matchup between the world's No. 2 and No. 3 is definitely an 'early World Cup final'.

And because of this, it can be said that Brazil and Belgium are the most unlucky favorites to win the championship among the top eight.

Among the other six teams in the top eight, there are almost no strong teams except France.

Only England can barely be considered a pseudo-strong team. The remaining teams such as Russia, Sweden, Uruguay, Croatia, etc., in the eyes of most people, are here to accompany the prince to study.

"Alas, Brazil and Belgium are really unlucky. They actually met in the quarterfinals."

"If they met opponents other than France, they could almost easily enter the semifinals."

"This game is an early World Cup final. The winner is very likely to be the final champion of this World Cup."

It is inevitable that two such strong teams met in the quarterfinals, which is a moment of anxiety.

However, compared with the German team, Brazilians do not have any psychological burden against the Belgian team.

In the previous history, the two teams had only played against each other four times in total. Except for the 5-1 victory in the friendly match in April 1963, Belgium lost the other three games to Brazil.

The last and only major match between the two sides took place in the Korea-Japan World Cup 16 years ago, when Brazil won 2-0.

Facing such an opponent with a completely inferior record, Brazil should have a great psychological advantage.

Therefore, both the members of the Brazilian team and the fans are full of confidence in this game.

"From the historical record, it is definitely our Brazilian team that has the advantage."

"From the perspective of strength and world ranking, our Brazilian team is also stronger."

Indeed, from all aspects, it is really the Brazilian team that has the advantage.

And Belgium's previous road to promotion was not as smooth as Brazil's.

In the previous round of 16 knockouts, Belgium was almost dragged into overtime by Japan.

In fact, in this game, Belgium has been in a very unfavorable situation. In the first half, they not only did not score a goal, but also fell behind Japan by two goals.

If they hadn't fought back in the second half and Chadli hadn't scored a lore in the 94th minute.

It's hard to say whether Belgium would have gone home early in that game.

Judging from that game, Belgium still had some problems.

Therefore, in the eyes of many people, Brazil has a higher chance of winning in this quarterfinal match.

"Belgium was almost eliminated by Japan in the previous match. Their performance is somewhat unworthy of their world ranking."

"From the comprehensive situation of both sides, Brazil has a higher chance of winning."

The outside world is really optimistic about Brazil, and the bookmaker also opened a handicap of Brazil giving one goal for this game.

And Brazilian legend Pele also spoke again.

"Belgium has too many problems. But our Brazilian team doesn't have this situation. And it's a time when morale is high."

"So, I think as long as Brazil plays normally like in the previous game. Then Brazil will win!"

"Come on, Brazil. I will be there to watch this game."

Although the Brazilian team was full of confidence inside and outside, thinking that they had defeated Belgium, Sun Yi was very worried.

No one knows the true strength of the Belgian team better than him.

Most of the main players of the Belgian team play in the Premier League, and Sun Yi has watched their match against Japan before. Sun Yi really knows the strength of this team.

To put it bluntly, Roberto Martinez, the head coach of Belgium, doesn't know the Belgian team better than Sun Yi.

Although the Belgian team stumbled in the match against Japan, as long as they can play their original strength normally, it will be terrifying.

Sun Yi is really afraid of the Belgian team.

"Don't underestimate our opponents. The Belgian team is definitely the strongest opponent we have encountered so far."

"Remember, in terms of absolute strength, we don't have any advantage over them."

"As long as they play normally, it will definitely be a tough battle."

"Therefore, I ask everyone to pay attention to the Belgian team both mentally and in action. And be mentally prepared for a tough battle."

Sun Yi began to build up the players' mental strength during training.

But many players didn't seem to listen.

"Don't worry, coach. With our strength, we can definitely beat them."

"Didn't you say it a long time ago? Our goal is to win the championship. We will never fall in the quarterfinals."

"It's not that we look down on them. Judging from their performance against the Japanese team, they are definitely not our opponents."

The players' attitude made Sun Yi frown a little.

"It's good to have confidence. But we will never underestimate any opponent."

"A great man in our country once said that we should despise our opponents strategically and pay attention to them tactically."

"Therefore, in this game against the Belgian team, we can't play like the previous games. We need to make changes in tactics."

"Reduce unnecessary breakthroughs, increase the speed of advancement, and the defenders must do a good job of defense. Don't easily press forward to participate in the attack without taking the lead."

Sun Yi said this and did it.

In order to prepare for the match against Belgium, he adopted closed training in subsequent training.

He also required the Brazilian team to constantly practice tactics specifically targeting Belgium during training.

It can be said that Sun Yi was fully prepared for this early final.