article_snippet: But Brazil, missing David Luiz, Dante and Maicon from the back four who started the 7-1 humiliation against Germany, looked a vastly more robust outfit defensively.
article_snippet: Thiago Silva, so sorely missed in that ill-fated semi-final, was an assured presence at the heart of the back line, while centre-back partner Miranda weighed in with impressive physicality – especially in dealing with the driving force and trickery of Alexis Sanchez.
article_snippet: Brazil are the pioneers of the attacking full back, but much-coveted Porto defender Danilo, despite much-coveted Porto defender Danilo excellent through-ball for Fermino’s opener, was relatively reserved on the right side of defence.
article_snippet: Left back Marcelo, perhaps a surprising inclusion given Marcelo culpability in Belo Horizonte, was also uncharacteristically disciplined, but still offered support to Neymar and Philippe Coutinho when the situation called for the situation.
article_snippet: Sitting midfielders Souza and Fernandinho –
article_snippet: the latter being the only other survivor from the World Cup semi-final – were effective in protecting the back four and took protecting the back four clear pre-match objective to kick lumps out of Alexis Sanchez very seriously.
highlights_snippet: Former defensive midfielder