COMBINED XI: BRAZIL V. SPAIN
GK: Santos (BRA)
Santos is one of the three over-age players in Brazil's Olympic squad, and his experience was on full display in the penalty shootout against Mexico. Santos comfortably saved the first penalty and likely would've saved the second if it hadn't rung off the outside of the woodwork instead. Following a 4-2 win over Germany on Matchday 1, Brazil has only conceded once in the five matches since -- a goal against Saudi Arabia on Matchday 3.
LB: Guilherme Arana (BRA)
Arana has been central to the way Brazil want to play in possession. He gets high up the pitch, overlaps with Richarlison, and puts crosses into the box. The Atletico Miniero defender grabbed an assist against Germany on Matchday 1 and has played all but one minute at this year's Olympics. Against Mexico in the semifinal, he was integral, winning 13 of 17 duels and neutralizing Mexico's combination of Uriel Antuna and Diego Lainez.
CB: Pau Torres (ESP)
The Villarreal centre back shined in the latter stages of the European Championships, and he's doing it again at the Olympics. The Spaniard has been one of the Olympics' premier defenders -- he's winning over 60 percent of his duels and he's been the best defender in a side that's only conceded three times -- and the pairing of him and Barcelona defender Eric Garcia has arguably been the best centre back partnership of the tournament.
CB: Nino (BRA)
Sevilla's Diego Carlos is in the Brazil team, but it's the lesser known Nino of Fluminese who has been more impressive. A no-nonsense defender, Nino has been the key player in sweeping away any danger -- his 15 clearances lead the squad and rank in the top 10 at the Olympics. He's also winning close to 75 percent of his ground duels and 60 percent of his duels in the air, along with completing over 85 percent of his passes from the back.
RB: Dani Alves (BRA)
The man that will not age. 38-year-old Dani Alves took the captain's armband for his nation at these Olympics and he's been the best defender of the lot. His brilliant penalty in the semifinal shootout against Mexico will be fresh in viewers' minds, but he's been his nation's most consistent performer all tournament. Alves is everywhere on the pitch -- he leads the Games in key passes, he's second in tackles completed, and he's in the top 10 in successful dribbles. The most decorated player in the history of the men's game is 90 minutes away from yet another trophy.
Men's soccer gold medal match combined XI: Brazil v. Spain - NBC Olympics
Read More
No comments:
Post a Comment