The central-defensive duo have been steered the Selecao to four consecutive clean sheets while Neymar and co. struggled to find their rhythm
After a hesitant start, Brazil have found their grove at the Olympics. The 4-0 rout of Denmark last week proved the turning point as the Selecao Olimpica cruised to the victory they needed to secure their place in the second round.
Rogerio Micale’s side kicked on days later, defeating Colombia 2-0 to book Wednesday’s semi-final with Honduras at the Maracana for what will be the seventh time Brazil have made the final four of the men’s Olympic football tournament.
Now five games undefeated, Brazil are yet to concede a goal in the tournament, with central defensive duo Marquinhos and Rodrigo Caio earning plaudits in the local media for keeping Micale’s attacking side rock solid at the back.
Goalkeeper Weverton, who has looked nervy since a late and unexpected call-up, has hardly had to lift a finger. Marquinhos and Caio look a partnership forged over years, not weeks. When one goes, the other drops.
The duo have been at the top of their game – and they’ve had to be. Micale’s switch to an attacking 4-2-4 in which the full-backs push up to make extra midfiedlers has time and again left Marquinhos and Caio to their own devices.
They’ve won 10 of their attempted 11 tackles and 14 interceptions between them over the four games so far.
Prior to the tournament there some raised concerns about a lack of height in the Brazilian defence, but Micale insisted his team’s style of play didn’t necessitate big, strong central defenders.
“They are light, agile players and the style we want to deploy it requires a very strong recovery. They fit into the team profile of the team more on individual characteristics,” he said.
It is down to the coach to gamble on and minismise the threats we face due to the style and personnel.”
Marquinhos and Rodrigo Caio stand just 6ft tall, but they’ve won almost 80% of the aerial duels they’ve contested at the Rio Olympics so far.
The Golden trio of Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Gabigol were singled out as the potential stars of the tournament, with media confident they would fire Brazil to the title.
They took a little while to get going and, thankfully, it was the duo standing guard who ensured any profligacy was not punished as harshly as it could be.
Brazil have now reclaimed their tag as favourites for what would be an unprecedented gold.
But come Augusto 20, if the title is claimed, there will no doubt be a special reception for Marquinhos and Rodrigo Caio, who stood guard on the dancefloor while they colleagues were trying to find their rhythm.
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- Goal