Olympics – Brazil's Samba Stars Can Win Gold

Brazil ended their Olympic build up last night with a classy 2-0 win against Stuart Pearce’s Team GB side. It was a great opportunity for the young Brazilians to strut their stuff and show just why they are among the favourites to win the competition – and they certainly did.
Brazilians dominated throughout and the talent within the squad was evident; even the subs were first team quality. Brazil’s samba style created a great spectacle as the inventive intelligence and team togetherness of Brazil outclassed a new Team GB.
It was a sign of things to come for Brazil. Their movement and pressing flustered Team GB and the unity gave them that extra advantage; and it will help massively during the tournament too. The powerhouse figures of Rômulo and Sandro provided a dynamic and solid defensive midfield duo and the bright Oscar linked up fantastically with the exuberant front 3. Defensively they were strong and displayed a great deal of solidity – something that, in the past, Brazil have been accused of lacking.
Fans of the beautiful game are looking forward to watching some of the world’s biggest talents and as we saw last night there’s a reason to be excited. The South Americans come to London prepared with an arsenal full of powerful weaponry that can fire them to their first Olympic Gold.

Mano Menezes has chosen a star-studded side with Real Madrid’s Marcelo, PSG’s Thiago Silva and Porto’s Hulk as his overage players, and the exciting talents of Neymar, Oscar and Ganso have also been included. The Brazilians have never won Olympic Gold but there is no doubt this side have enough about them to win that elusive medal they so badly crave. The substitutes bench was stronger than most starting XI’s and considering the age of the team, it was a superb display of bravura and a clear high accomplishment of pure skill and football artistry.
Key Players
The obvious key player is Neymar. The flamboyant showman is arguably the greatest young talent in the world, and his performances have reflected those of the best players around. His skills are enough to bewilder even the best defenders and should his Tournament be a great one, Brazil will also enjoy a great tournament. Brazil are not a one man team, though – players like Oscar will be just as key. A versatile player with style and creativity, comfortable on the ball and able to play that “killer pass”.

Sandro, Rômulo, Hulk and Damião will also be hoping to enjoy a productive tournament. And defensively there are some talents too. Juan Jesus is expected to partner Thiago Silva while Rafael and Marcelo will potentially be the main full backs and Rafael Cabral, the ‘keeper, is a superb shot-stopper with great reflexes and agility. That’s just the starting XI. Ganso and Pato will add great cover – they may even start – and the mercurial talents such as Lucas Moura will offer a great deal, as will the remaining players in the squad.
Full Brazilian Squad
Goalkeepers: Rafael Cabral – Santos | Neto – Fiorentina.
Defenders: Marcelo – Real Madrid | Rafael – Manchester United | Danilo – Porto | Alex Sandro – Porto | Thiago Silva – PSG |Juan – Inter Milan | Bruno Uvini – Sao Paulo.
Midfielders: Rômulo – Spartak Moscow | Ganso – Santos | Oscar – Internacional | Sandro – Tottenham | Lucas – Sao Paulo.
Forwards: Neymar – Santos |Alexandre Pato – AC Milan | Leandro – Internacional | Hulk –Porto.
The midfield 3 of Sandro, Rômulo and Oscar were chosen and they delivered. They interchanged and combined brilliantly; a combination of many different attributes. Sandro and Rômulo will look to block out the opposition and make the job easier for the back 4 and Oscar will aim to link up with the front 3. The squad is capable of great things and it’s not just a tournament; it’s a test for the 2014 World Cup. And as was clear to see last night this team has the ability to go all the way.

Brazil’s fans are hoping that the squad will come back with the prize that has eluded them for all this time. Spain and Uruguay are also considered favourites and if the Seleção hope to win Gold they will have to remain consistent and play at the level many know they can. As one of the greatest national sides ever it is surprising there is no Gold medal in the cabinet but I’m sure they will do all they can to rectify that. The tournament is shaping up to be a good one – some of the best talents from around the world on show and it will make for a great spectacle. I predict Brazil will have a very good tournament and I look forward to what is sure to be an enjoyable watch.
Follow Myself and Soccerisma on Twitter: Gooner and Soccerisma