When playing Brazil, Opponents Take on Average 97 Minutes to Shoot on Target

07/03/2018 - 11h37

Brazil has reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup with the best defense in the competition, having only conceded one goal and four shots on target. Uruguay, another team among the final eight, has also only been scored on once, but its opponents have shot on target 12 times.

In the 389 minutes that Brazil has played, opponents have taken 33 shots, 12 of which were blocked and 17 of which were not on goal: the remaining four were on target. Only one of the shots found the back of the net, when Brazil debuted against Switzerland.

The low number of shots on goal means that Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson is in 33rd in terms of saves, according to FIFA's official stats.

	Xinhua/Li Ga
	Roberto Firmino of Brazil vies with Miguel Layun of Mexico during the 2018 FIFA World Cup round of 16 match between Brazil and Mexico in Samara, Russia, July 2, 2018. Brazil won 2-0 and advanced to the quarter-final

After defeating Mexico, head coach Tite praised Brazil's defensive tactics which begin up front with striker Gabriel Jesus.

Against Mexico, Jesus spent more time on the left side of the pitch, freeing up Neymar to play in the center and help mark the flanks of the pitch. Jesus, who still hasn't scored, still has the full support of the coaching staff.

Tite has said that, when it comes to the opposition, Brazil does not mark individual players, rather the team's athletes opt for a defensive approach that splits the pitch into zones.

Under Tite, Brazil has only been scored on six times in 25 games.

Brazil will not be able to count on Casemiro for the next game against Belgium on Friday, at 3pm, in Kazan. He was suspended after receiving his second yellow card. He leads the competition in steals with 17. Mexico's Herrera is in second with 15.

Translated by THOMAS MATHEWSON

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