Defensive steel can carry Brazil

GOALS: THEY HAVE ONLY CONCEDED EIGHT IN 28 GAMES

Neymar is just the cherry on the very solid cake.

Sochi

Neymar may well be the centre of attention as Brazil chase a record sixth World Cup triumph in Russia. But if the South Americans successfully emulate the class of 1958 by winning a World Cup on European soil, there is a likelihood their rock-solid defence will have something to do with it.

In any World Cup, it is the exploits of the goalscorers who provide most of the memories for the highlights reels. But it is a fact that the trophy is usually won by the team with the best defence.

Germany conceded just four goals in seven games in 2014 and Spain let in just two in 2010, the same tally as Italy’s victorious squad in 2006.

So while Neymar will continue to hog the limelight, the good news for coach Tite is that there is plenty more to his side than the Paris Saint-Germain forward as they prepare to take on Mexico today.

“In football there is always one player who gets spoken about more. But you need to have a very good team,” said Casemiro, the formidable Real Madrid defensive midfielder. “It is inevitable that people will say the player we have who is above average is Neymar, but we cannot forget that we have other great players.”

The flamboyance of the Brazil teams which lit up the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, when the likes of Zico and Socrates delighted fans but ultimately failed to deliver, has long since been replaced by pragmatism.

The World Cup-winning Brazil teams of 1994 and 2002 had plenty of attacking talent, but owed their success as much to defensive steel.

This Brazil team is constructed on similarly formidable defensive ground, with just eight goals conceded in 28 matches after the 2-0 win over Serbia on Wednesday.

“We have a very balanced squad, intelligent, and composed when we have to be,” said centre-back Thiago Silva, who headed in Brazil’s second goal against the Serbians.

Neymar, and especially Philippe Coutinho at the moment, provide the spark, but around them there are enough streetwise players to ensure this Brazil should not suffer a collapse.

“In defensive positions, it is not just four of us plus one holding midfielder,” said Casemiro. “Brazil’s defensive strength starts from Gabriel (Jesus), then with Neymar and Willian. All 11 players defend and all 11 attack.” –

Picture: Getty Images OUTSTANDING. Neymar may be the name on everyone’s lips, but Thiago Silva (above) and the rest of the Brazilian defence have been outstanding for the team so far.