2014fwc_tsg_report_15082014_neutral

46Technical and tactical analysisNetherlands, Argentina), as instead of justkeeping the ball, creative progression upthe field towards the opponent’s goal wasessential to be successful at the tournament.FlexibilityThe 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil saw a greatdeal of flexibility in the interpretation of theteams’ playing systems. The better teams triedto win in style and had no fear of losing theirshape for a brief moment if this increasedtheir chance of success. They showed greatflexibility without losing the focus on theirinitial organisation.The same team shape can also be used withdifferent players, and teams often started ina certain line-up before changing completelywith the introduction of new players while stillapplying the same system.Interpretation of the system is also important.For instance, when defenders go forward,they need to be covered by midfielders orwingers who take up their positions.Mental aspectsScoring the first goal was not always anadvantage, especially at the beginning of thecompetition because in five of the first tengroup matches, the team that opened thescoring ultimately lost. This trend was reversedin the latter stages of the World Cup.However, teams rarely gave up hope offinding a way back into the game. Mostmatches were very close and in the balanceuntil the final whistle of the game, whichunderlines:- the teams’ mental strength anddetermination- the players’ outstanding physical fitness- the coaches’ good decisions to substituteplayers and/or change tacticsOn the other hand, teams that scored the firstgoal were at times too confident and too sureof themselves, or maybe wanted to save theirenergy for the next game.Set piecesSet pieces were crucial in deciding theoutcome of games, with various matchesdecided or shaped by a free kick or cornerkick, especially in the round of 16, quarterfinalsand semi-finals (examples: Germany v.France (1-0), Brazil v. Chile (first goal), France v.Switzerland (first goal), Germany v. Brazil (firstgoal), etc.). Hosts Brazil even scored three oftheir four goals in the second stage from setpieces.