Brazil have never prided themselves on the fine art of defending. Their full-backs have always been glorified wingers, while their centre-backs usually have the mark of the kids itching to move further up the field whenever they see the ball. The alarm bells were ringing as early as the first game, as the opening goal of the World Cup was scored by the Real Madrid left-back past the despairing lunge of his Brazilian compatriot, Julio Cesar. Fresh from his Champions League final exploits against cross-city counterparts Athletico Madrid, one would have expected the mop-haired full-back to be brimming with confidence. However, throughout the tournament, he was rash in the tackle, tactically naive, and seemingly unaware of the gaping holes he was leaving on the left hand side of the pitch. Having somehow escaped without punishment against the likes of Chile and Columbia, Marcelo and co. were ruthlessly torn apart in front of their adorning supporters, mercilessly destroyed before a disbelieving Belo Horizonte.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
