Key areas which Brazil need to improve on before their World Cup Quarter-final

It is certainly not possible to cause a huge difference in between the tournament or for any team to improve themselves radically before their next fixture. But if Brazil is to keep their fans happy and progress in the World Cup, they will need to improve in certain areas of their game.

#1 Thiago Silva was the Best Defender

Sounds more like a positive thing, doesn’t it. It is in some-way but not so in many. Thiago Silva seemed to be the only one Defending, an error from Marcelo & Hulk saw Alexis Sanchez of Chile equalize. Brazilian defense show a lot of loop holes, Chilean Forwards succeeded in comfortably breaching the Brazilian Defense which is a cause of major worry for the home-town heroes. Brazil conceded goals against Croatia as well as Cameroon which are a proof that the Defense needs work to be done before the next game.

#2 Julio Cesar is the Man for Brazil

Julio Cesar has been a key performer for Brazil in past tournaments even this World Cup, he has made brilliant saves to keep Brazil in the match but at times he has not been sharp enough. Cesar was late to react to the shot from Sanchez which led to the Chileans equalize in the game. But he also made an amazing save in the second half that kept Brazil in the game, and his display at stopping the Spot Kicks was the main reason Brazil emerged victorious over Chile.

#3 Neymar is the only genuine Scoring Threat

Hulk & Neymar were key to the Brazil attack against Chile but they failed to convert many chances that they got in the game owing to brilliant display by Claudio Bravo coming to the rescue of his squad each time they attacked. The presence of Fred and Jo (later in the game as he came on as Sub) did not really succeed in making their presence felt that meant the pressure of striking the Goal was still on the Shoulders of the Decorated Brazil forward Neymar. The over dependence on Neymar would only result in causing more pressure on him and also the fact that he’s been involved in every match for Brazil with a lot on his Shoulders, the fatigue factor may also get the better of him.

#4 Pressure gets to them

At the start of the game against Chile, they gave it their all in the attack to score but as the clock kept ticking, the number of forward runs dropped. The squad filled with youth, most of them hadn’t even played 50 Internationals prior to the World Cup and that lack of experience at the International stage seemed to have gotten the better of them for most of the time in the match after they were brought back to level by Sanchez.

#5 Goal Post played for Brazil

Chile’s Pinilla hit a strong shot at almost the end of the Extra Time and Julio Cesar wasn’t even close to blocking that shot, and hence the Goal Post came to the rescue for Brazil in the dying moments. Brazil will certainly not want to depend on the Goal Post for saving them every time they are in trouble.

#6 Conclusion

Brazil’s performance was far from convincing in the game against Chile, but they won at the end 3-2 on penalties, owing it huge to their Goal Keeper Julio Cesar & the Goal Post that blocked the final penalty from Chile to keep the Brazilian dream alive. Brazil will be up against the Winner of the Colombia vs Uruguay match, both the teams play far more attacking than Chile. And, if Brazil does not overcome their issues in the Defense and Striking they might be heading out of another World Cup in the Quarters.