Gabriel Jesus Struggling And Neymar The Marta - 5 Lessons From Brazil 0-0 Iraq

Coach Rogerio Micale saw his side once again stumble to a goalless draw on Sunday with a number of his stars yet to find their feet at the games

Brazil’s second Rio 2016 Group A match brought only more disappointment for an expectant home crowd as Rogerio Micale’s side stumbled to yet another goalless draw.

The Selecao Olimpica struggled from the outset in Brasilia as the locals jeered and began chanting for the introduction of Brazil’s women’s team captain Marta throughout the second period.

But despite the draw, Brazil remain optimistic, with the side needing only victory in their final group match against Denmark to secure qualification for the second round.

Below the Chevrtolet Brasil Global Tour looks back at the main talking points from Brazil’s second consecutive Olympic stalemate.

The leading scorer in the Brazilian first division and tipped as perhaps the finest striker to emerge from the nation since the great Ronaldo, there were big expectations of Gabriel Jesus ahead of the Olympic Games. And the nerves appear to be getting the better of the new Manchester City man after he followed up a big miss in Brazil’s opener with South Africa by spurning two good chances in the first-half on Sunday.

Neymar suffered criticism for his performance against South Africa, with commentators suggesting he was trying to do too much by leading all the team’s attacking play. On Sunday he disappointed once again as he drifted in and out of the match, taking fewer risks and seeing two free-kicks slam against the wall. He caused marker Ali Ali few problems and even heard the local fans asking for him to be replaced by women’s team captain Marta every time he touched the ball in the second-half.

Atletico Paranense goalkeeper Weverton only joined the group a couple of days before their campaign opened and on his debut against South Africa looked like he was yet to settle into the role. The anxiety of the inexperienced international was once again evident against Iraq as he made a number of errors, one of which saw Iraq very nearly cause the shock of the Olympics so far, with the post coming to his rescue.

Brazil arrived at the games after a productive period of preparation at the Granja Comary training complex that saw Micale experiment with a 4-2-4 formation that was supposed to come to the side’s rescue during games in which they struggled to find a breakthrough. We saw the shape in the friendly against Japan and the draw with South Africa, but this time it lasted just nine minutes as the concern of being vulnerable on the counter-attack quickly saw Rafinha replace Gabriel Jesus and the team revert to their 4-2-3-1.

Much was expected of Barcelona midfielder Rafinha, who had looked set to be given a starting berth in the team ahead of the games. However, despite being relegated to the bench by Renato Augusto, Micale has repeatedly turned to him to try and inject some more dynamism in midfield. He once again arrived as a substitute against Iraq but at times appeared to be struggling to keep up physically. After a torrid time with injuries which has seen him spend a considerable portion of his last year on the side-lines, Brazil’s medical staff will be working tirelessly to increase his fitness for the rest of the games.

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- Goal