Coach Rogerio Micale put his Olympic side to the test for the first time on Saturday and saw some encouraging signs as his team cruised to victory in Goiana
After two weeks of intense training at the Granja Comary training complex in Teresopolis, Brazils Olympic team underwent their first real test on Saturday in a friendly against Japan in Goiania.
A packed Serra Dourada stadium saw a confident 2-0 victory for the Selecao Olimpica, with coach Rogerio Micale’s side showing some encouraging signs ahead of their quest to secure Brazil’s first ever Olympic gold medal in the football tournament.
Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa put the hosts ahead before Marquinhos doubled the lead before the break.
Below, Chevrolet Brasil Global Tour looks back at some of the key talking points from a confident display
| The Golden Trio |
At the games there will be great expectations on Brazil’s ‘Golden Trio’ of attackers, Neymar, Gabigol and Gabriel Jesus, to fire Brazil to the long-awaited gold medal, and while they did not dazzle against Japan they certainly did not disappoint. The front three worked well together, constantly interchanging as they did for the opener when right-sided forward Gabigol cut in from the left to march through the Japanese defence and give Brazil the lead. Gabriel Jesus led from the front, pressing and harrying the opposition as the Selecao sought to implement coach Micale’s high-press.
| Gabigol - Gol |
Once again the no.9 found the net in a Brazil shirt, taking his total for the Olympic team to seven goals in just six outings. His dazzling run provided the spark of individual genius required to make the breakthrough after the Selecao did all of the early running in Goiana. The Santos striker is proving to be a man for the big occasion and his goals will be vital to Brazil’s chances of glory at the Olympics.
| Party like it's 1958 - the 4-2-4 |
Brazi’s first ever World Cup success arrived in 1958 via a radical and innovative 4-2-4 system in which Mario Zagallo dropped from his position on the left to bridge a 4-3-3. Micale had experimented with a similar system during training last week, introducing Gremio's Luan to form a four-man attack which will be Brazil’s ‘plan B’ in Rio against opponents who sit back and look to stifle the hosts. Luan was introduced for midfielder Rafinha at the break against Japan for a fruitful yet short-lived trial of the system in match conditions. The prospect offers quite a change in tact for Brazilian fans who have grown increasingly accustomed to more pragmatic approaches from their national team.
| In Micale we trust |
Since his very first press conference in the role, Micale has impressed the local media in Brazil with his tactical nous and contemporary intellectualisation of the game. His promise translated onto the field on Saturday as the Selecao looked organised and coherent throughout, remaining focused and lucid despite the constant changes in shape. He has the full backing of players, media and fans, with the weekend’s showing providing fans, players, and media alike the proof that Brazil’s hopes could hardly be in better hands.
| Strengh in depth |
Micale used the contest to analyse not only his systems and the level of teamwork he is trying to bring to the side, but also the individual ability of a number of his 18-man squad. Keen to cast an eye on his entire squad during their first proper match as a team, there were a number of changes in the victory over Japan. Atletico Mineiro goalkeeper Ulison would have won some brownie points with his willingness to use his feet to help the side play out from the back while William, Luan, Walace and Renato Augusto were among those who impressed off the bench.
..... - Goal