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The World Cup is one of the biggest tournaments in football history and all the teams taking part in it, showcase the desire to win. Though all the teams give it their all and push for World Club glory, there can only be one winner. A lot of top teams are playing in the current tournament as well, yet for some reason, the fear that they would strike in the hearts of their opponents is now gone.
Many such examples of teams that have been rather disappointing in the World Cup so far are Germany, Brazil, Argentina France, Spain and a few others. Though the tournament is far from over yet, this lacklustre performance has still disappointed the fans and cost them big-time, as they try to push forward into the latter stages of the tournament.
Here are five reasons why the quality of football has gone down amongst the top teams at the World Cup in Russia -
5. Lack of quality strikers and poor finishing
A lot of big teams have been suffering due to the lack of high-quality strikers to lead their frontline and provide them with the goals that are needed. Due to this, they have had to make-due with goals from midfielders, defenders and any other player who can put the ball into the back of the net. For any team that is looking to become the champions of the world, it is very tough to go out and win the game using such a tactic.
Germany have not found the perfect replacement for Miroslav Klose yet, while Argentina have struggled with Messi problems and deciding who should play up-front, Aguero, Higuain or Dybala? Neymar has been out of form too, though he did get a consolation goal in the game against Costa Rica, while Gabriel Jesus failed again to make an impact. Other teams have such issues as well, which they need to sort out and fast.
4. An absence Of quality leadership
The World Cup misses some top quality players like Philipp Lahm, Klose, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Kaka, Lampard, Gerrard, Drogba and many more, to say the least. These stars were real legends of the game and brought about a spark into their side's play, something that is missing from the tournament as a whole and even the teams can feel it. There has no real leader emerged in many of these top sides.
Portugal are lucky to have Ronaldo, who is leading from the front and can't stop scoring, but some of the other sides, have just failed to find the right person to turn to, when in need for some inspiration.
3. Unable to cope with the pressure at the international level
The fact that club football has gained a lot more importance over the years has clearly impacted the level of quality that is being showcased at the international level this time. A lot of money is involved, with the players playing for their respective clubs, along with the bonuses that follow based on the level of performances that they showcase. Due to this, a lot of effort are being put day in and day out to impress at the club level, which has hurt this World Cup in some ways in Russia.
The intensity and pressure to perform for the clubs has pushed a lot of players to the limit and it has been tough to cope up with the continuous football that they have had to play. Generally that should not be an excuse for under-performing, though the impact on some players has been quite visible in the current tournament.
To add to that, some of these players have have not shown the same kind of flare that they showcase when they play for their clubs and hopefully that changes soon. The desire needs to be there to achieve more. Only then will it be possible to lift the World Cup.
2. Improved Quality Of Lesser Known Opponents
Some of the teams that were not known in the past few decades or prior to that, have slowly developed their quality and have now grown into teams, that can be a threat to the bigger names. The likes of Iceland, Switzerland, Mexico, Nigeria, and others have become really tough to beat at times and none of them can be taken lightly, as a little slip-up at a crucial moment can really hurt big-time.
1. Crumbling Under The Pressure Of Expectations
The big teams and players have a lot of pressure on them, as they are expected to win the tournament, each and every single time they come to the tournament and is impacting their performances. Argentina is a prime example of this problem and unless they can really pull of a miracle in the current tournament, they will continue to struggle under the weight of these expectations. Lionel Messi could be playing his final tournament and is under a lot of pressure to win it, as he looks to replicate Maradona's feats.
Germany also lost in the opening match and Brazil have just now started finding some sort of form. Some of these stars, along with players from France, Spain and Portugal have barely managed wins over teams that they were expected to easily beat over the years and the fans are hoping that they improve and fast.
The likes of Giroud, Ozil, Khedira, Iniesta, and a few others could be all playing their final tournament and will want to end their international career on a high.
Also, the German and Argentine fans are hoping that their teams will win, as they hope every time they play in the grandest stage of them all. They will want to replicate the form that they showcased in the previous tournament, though that has surely not been the case so far.
