BRAZIL’S INVISIBLE WEAPON

GILBERTO SILVA— MY job when Brazil won the 2002 World Cup was to be invisible on the pitch if I did it right, it made things easier for the players in front of me, as well as for myself.

It is the same situation now for Casemiro, the defensive midfielder who is at the heart of this Brazil team trying to end our 20-year wait to win it again. He has a great responsibility in my old position.

Just as in 2002, we have plenty of attackers to make the difference this time — not just Neymar, who will miss the rest of the group stage with injury.

I can understand why some people just talk about that part of our team but, to win a World Cup, you have to remember the other parts too.

This is where Casemiro’s intelligence holds the key.

Whoever the manager chooses to play further forward now, it is still important for us to be defending intelligently.

You have to be smart to play as a holding midfielder for an attack-minded side like Brazil, and you also have to be patient. Let me explain why.

It is not just about being the tough player, the one who tackles everyone. That is only one small part of the whole role, and even then you have to be clever to choose the right time to actually put a challenge in.

Instead, you have to read the game and understand where you should be, which is usually in the middle of everything.

Your position is the most important thing. If you choose the right line on the pitch then, from there, you can see everything and spot any danger — well, most of the time.

For me with Brazil, that usually meant having a few attacking guys further forward and only the centre-backs behind me, with the full-backs in a line between them. If you watch Casemiro, that is where he is too.

From there, you are the one controlling things. You are in control when the ball goes from one side to another — even if you don’t touch it — simply because you are where you need to be.

Right now, I think we have the right balance. I am very happy with our back four and also with the players in front of them who teach the side to be solid.