7-1? Not This Time: Brazil 2014 Vs Brazil 2016

A very different Selecao head into Saturday's Rio Olympics final for what will be a rematch of their humiliating defeat at the hands of the Germany at the 2014 World Cup

It was a scoreline so emphatic, so historic, that it has ever since been referred to simply as that.

‘The 7-1’ shocked the football world. Hosts Brazil arrived at World Cup 2014 as favourites, but were blown away by a rampant Germany in what was perhaps the greatest shock in World Cup history.

And as fate would have it, the two meet again on Saturday. For the second time in two years, Brazil host Germany at a major international competition on home soil.

But revenge is not at the forefront of Brazil’s mind ahead of Saturday’s final at the Maracana. August has been a golden mission for the five-time world champions, who are desperately seeking the last major title still to elude them - an Olympic gold medal.

It will be a great occasion, a final the Brazilian public were denied two years ago. But this Brazil side is very different to that one. Below, Brasil Global Tour takes a closer look at the differences between Felipao’s 2014 squad and Rogerio Micale’s class of 2016...

An ageing Julio Cesar arrived at World Cup 2014 on the decline and having just joined MLS club Toronto FC, though he remained a top-quality goalkeeper with a glittering past and plenty of experience. He was the hero as Brazil defeated Chile on penalties in the round of 16, and was left helpless for most of Germany’s seven goals in the semi. Weverton never expected to represent his country, much less be at the games. Drafted in as a late replacement, he has had very little to do so far but has looked nervy throughout.

David Luiz didn’t cover himself in glory at the World Cup, and was singled out for saving his most disappointing performance of the tournament for the semi-final. Erratic, reckless and overzealous, he shouldered a major portion of the blame for the 7-1 in the media. However, his biggest crime was just caring too much and trying too hard. Marquinhos has been the opposite: cool, calm and commanding at the Olympics this summer, the Paris Saint-Germain man has filled those ahead of him with confidence.

Dante stepped in for the semi-final because of a suspension to captain Thiago Silva. He too struggled from the outset as the Brazilian defence was overwhelmed by wave after wave of German attack. At this year’s Olympics Rodrigo Caio has formed a formidable partnership with Marquinhos, keeping five consecutive clean sheets, with both showing time and again they are able to deal with everything that has been thrown at them.

Maicon came into World Cup 2014 with considerable experience but performed below his considerable expectations. He was no longer the powerhouse full-back who attacked at lightning speed. Santos starlet Zeca, on the other hand, was more restrained from the outset and, after settling into a solid defence, now ventures forward sporadically to offer width on the right as an element of surprise.

Marcelo remains one of the best in the world in his position, and is tipped to return to the senior side under new coach Tite next month. Unfortunately, his endless desire to join the attack caused big problems for his team at World Cup 2014. Alternatively, Douglas Santos has been one of the stars of the Olympic Games this month. He is traditionally more defensive than Marcelo but this month he has been venturing forward with increasing regularity but there were moments against Colombia when he left too much space in behind.

Defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo arrived at World Cup 2014 as arguably his side’s most consistent performer. However, he struggled to contain a German midfield that exposed his defence time and again. Walace, on the flip side, only broke into the first-team in Brazil’s third game, due to a suspension to Thiago Maia, but has retained his role ever since thanks to his excellent tacking and smart positioning.

Fernandinho was another who was outthought and outclassed by the magnificent German midfield. He found himself chasing shadows throughout and received criticism for not showing the positional discipline required on the night. Renato Augusto is a different type of player, deployed as a deep-lying playmaker in the Olympic side, and has formed a dominant partnership with Walace.

Little Bernard arrived as a replacement for the injured Neymar in the semi-final. By contrast, Luan’s arrival in the first XI has been to complement Brazil’s no.10. Bernard was a passenger against Germany as the Selecao offered very little on the ball. Luan has been the revelation of Brazil's Olympic exploits, with his introduction and the subsequent switch to the 4-2-4 having completely transformed the team. His smart movement and excellent link-play will offer the Selecao much more in possession.

Oscar grabbed what could never be described as anything like a ‘consolation’ in the final minute against Germany but did not have a good tournament overall. With Neymar operating more centrally, Oscar drifted from side to side and in and out of games. At this year’s Olympics Neymar has overcome his own struggles early on to emerge as a contender for player of the tournament and should play a major role in the final.

Hulk has always faced criticism for his performances in a Brazil shirt. But having won some of the fans over in the Confederations Cup of 2013, he underwhelmed at the World Cup. Gabigol, meanwhile, has been a revelation for the national team in recent months and, with three goals to his name already, has proved himself a goalscorer and a man for the big occasion.

Fred had a World Cup to forget. He too struggled to take his Confederations Cup form into the World Cup and was unfairly held up as a symbol of Brazil’s failings. Gabriel Jesus is a markedly different player in every way. He has operated through the centre and wide left in a fluid front four and, after squandering some golden opportunities in Brazil’s opening two Olympic games against South Africa and Iraq, he has found his shooting boots of late.

Rogerio Micale is a very different coach to Scolari and has set up a very different team. While Scolari’s side were inflexible and rigid, Micale has developed a contemporary, fluid team who press high and play with more dynamism. His Brazil arrive in the Olympic final as the tournament’s form team, but should he continue with the 4-2-4 and ask his full-backs to bomb forward, he could well play right into the Germans hands. He will likely make some tactical tweaks to combat the German counter-attack, something Scolari failed to do in 2014.

..... - Goal