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So the pretenders are out and there are two teams left the mighty Germans and the Argentines led by their mesmeric captain Lionel Messi. While Messi will look to take his place among the pantheon of greats by leading his country to their first World Cup final victory since 1986, the Germans will be quite upbeat after dismantling hosts Brazil 7-1. Can Messi handle the pressure or will the Germans run rampant? It's very hard to tell. Take Neymar's case -- the entire nation placed a huge burden on the youngster to emulate Pele and lead them to World Cup glory.
In fact, Neymar's back injury could actually have been a blessing in disguise for the youngster who would've felt the nation's wrath if he had been fit for the 7-1 mauling by the Germans. After all he is only a 22-year-old and the expectations on him were huge and while he'll be haunted by what could've been, there's no denying that his absence from the destruction will allow him to continue to play without losing the nation's trust in him.
Why the Germans crushed Brazil
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Before the match against Germany, Brazilian captain Thiago Silva was confident his team wouldn't buckle under pressure thanks to the fact the Brazilians were getting advice from top sports psychologist Regina Brand o from Unicamp in Sao Paulo. He had said: 'If we are not at ease, things won't happen the way we want them to.' Apparently, each member of the Brazilian team had been given a battery of psychological tests to evaluate their emotional reactions in different situations. They were presented with different stimuli and their reactions were analysed and the aim was to put them 'at ease on the pitch'. But all that meant for nothing as Brazil, missing their main men Neymar and Thiago Silva capitulated spectacularly against the Germans. So while the entire nation pandered to Neymar's injury, the Germans waited quietly to take them apart in their own backyard which they did in spectacular fashion.
But then you've to take into account the fact that the German team consists of youngsters handpicked at a young age to become the best. It all stems back to 1998, when Germany after a poor performance overhauled their youth system which was implemented in 2002. From that engine room came players like Manuel Neuer, Benedikt H wedes, Mats Hummels, J r me Boateng, Sami Khedira and Mesut zil who have a winning mentality to go with their amazing technique.
Unlike other nations which build up cult personalities, the Germans didn't leave it to chance and the most defining feature of their win was the complete lack of ego amongst the players. But make no mistake that these are very talented individuals with a winning mentality a majority of them are from Bayern Munich which won the treble in 2013, others like Ozil won the FA Cup while Hummels won the Bundesliga in 2011 and 2012. Winning does that to you, giving you the mental strength to not be daunted by the biggest stage.
How important is psychology in football?
Football and psychology has always been intertwined. It was on display in this World Cup as well when Dutch manager Louis Van Gaal gave 'total football' a miss for 'total psychology'. Of course, Dutch legend Johan Cruyff didn't like it but Van Gaal was willing to win by any means necessary. Like Sir Alex Ferguson, he is a total disciplinarian who somehow got the big names to ignore their egos and become one for the team. And the unity was there to see from the start when the Dutch simply destroyed reigning champions Spain 5-1. In fact, most observers have been quick to praise Van Gaal for the Dutch team's performance. He has always done the unthinkable to unnerve his opponents taking off Robin Van Persie while chasing a game, substituting his goalkeeper before a penalty shootout or even changing formations mid-game to gain the upper-hand.
According to sports psychologist Rico Schuijers it's because of Van Gaal's immense mental strength. 'I think the combination of surprise and being at your best is the key,' he says. 'The psychology is that if you feel confident and well-motivated, then you're able to focus. And I think that's Van Gaal's achievement: to focus on it game by game, know how to adapt and not dream about the title.'
Sadly, the Dutch finally ran out of steam against Argentina and lost to them on penalties, but they did manage to keep Lionel Messi quiet for the entire match which is quite an achievement. And now Van Gaal is headed to Old Trafford which housed one of the shrewdest minds in the game Sir Alex Ferguson. United fans will be hoping Van Gaal emulates their former favourite Sir Alex and not the hapless Moyes who seemed daunted by the big stage. And that's the thing that's hardest to predict who'll wilt and who will shine?
In a slew of interviews with Harvard, Sir Alex tried to dissect his management style explaining how he approached matches, team talks and especially dealing with fragile millionaires that footballers have become. He stated how he had mellowed with age. 'I was very aggressive all those years ago. I am passionate and want to win all the time. But today I'm more mellowed age does that to you. And I can better handle those more fragile players now.' He added: 'There is no room for criticism on the training field. For a player and for any human being there is nothing better than hearing 'well done'. Those are the two best words ever invented in sports. You don't need to use superlatives.'
He also gave an insight into his famous 'hairdryer technique' of management. 'You can't always come in shouting and screaming. That doesn't work. No one likes to get criticised. But in the football dressing room, it's necessary that you point out your players' mistakes. I do it right after the game. I don't wait until Monday, I do it, and it's finished. I'm on to the next match. There is no point in criticising a player forever. 'You can't ever lose control not when you are dealing with 30 top professionals who are all millionaires. If they misbehave, we fine them, but we keep it indoors. And if anyone steps out of my control, that's them dead.'
He also explained how individuals had to be treated differently. 'One of my players has been sent off several times. He will do something if he gets the chance even in training. Can I take it out of him? No. Would I want to take it out of him? No. If you take the aggression out of him, he is not himself. So you have to accept that there is a certain flaw that is counterbalanced by all the great things he can do.' Ferguson also gave an insight in to how he conducts team talks and uses psychology to change games at half-time. 'I like to tell different stories, and use my imagination. But generally, it is about our expectations, their belief in themselves, and their trust in each other.
'I remember going to see Andrea Bocelli, the opera singer. I had never been to a classical concert in my life. But I am watching this and thinking about the co-ordination and the teamwork, one starts and one stops, just fantastic.'
And Ferguson's psychology did work for two decades, though some of his fabled mind games were just built up by the press . His teams were also famous for their never-say-die spirit and anyone playing against Ferguson's Manchester United always had the feeling that scoring against them would be followed by terrible retribution. And the approach certainly worked for two decades and we saw how the same team managed by a different man was completely shambolic, finishing a distant seventh, a position United fans can't even dream of. It was certainly different for United and Old Trafford lost its fear factor under Moyes. Teams were no longer afraid to have a go at United.
But psychology always doesn't work. Others have tried it and failed. For example, the England World Cup football squad worked with renowned sports psychologist Dr Steve Peters but that didn't stop them from going out in the group stages. But some continue to believe in the power of psychology, especially calming sports psychology which looks to reduce normal emotions like nerves and performance anxiety. And sports certainly do provide the best laboratory to see how psychology works. All of which brings it down to this, who will be stronger going into the tournament the Germans or the Argentines?
And let's not forget the fact that in Lionel Messi, Argentina has a player who's won everything there's to win in the game. And while he may not enjoy the limelight like his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo, there's no denying that Messi is made of very stern stuff. He has battled many demons, growing up in abject poverty in his youth in his native Argentina and then growth hormone issues which threatened to derail his game. He has overcome tough opponents and myriad expectations from fans around the world. And you can't get that kind of mental toughness by having a few sessions with a sports psychologist.
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