Brazil Squad Report: Julio Cesar gets some respect

Brazil prepares for their quarterfinal match against Colombia in Fortaleza on Friday.

The Brazilians are there because of the efforts of their goalkeeper, Julio Cesar. As Sam Borden writes in the New York Times, long considered a useless position by Brazilians obsessed with the beautiful game, goalkeepers are finally gaining more respect. 

The struggle remains real, however, and Julio Cesar will be back on the firing line if he makes a gaffe against Colombia. A mistake against the Netherlands at the 2010 World Cup still haunts him to this day. 

“The fans, they are always waiting, waiting, waiting for the mistake,” said Zetti, a former goalkeeper for Brazil’s national team, in an interview with Borden. “A forward, he misses nine shots and no one says anything. A goalkeeper misses one shot, and they say he takes a frango.”

It's a hard knocked life for Brazil's shot stoppers, but Julio Cesar can forever alter the narrative with another performance like the one against Chile in the round of 16. 

Fixtures/Results

Group A  — June 12 — Brazil 3-1 Croatia

Group A  — June 17 — Brazil 0-0 Mexico

Group A — June 23  — Brazil 4-1 Cameroon

Round of 16 — June 28 — Brazil 1-1 Chile (Brazil wins 3-2 on penalties)

Quarterfinal — July 4 —  Brazil vs. Colombia 

Squad News/Rumors/Injury Report

Neymar's thigh remains an injury worry for Felipe Scolari's side. It was swollen after the Chile match and remains a source of caution for Brazil ahead of Friday's game.

Luis Gustavo's suspension means Paulinho will almost certainly start against Colombia. 

Team Leaders

Goals: Neymar – 4

Assists: Oscar – 2

Quick Notes

1. This adorable picture of a young David Luiz and Thiago Silva is floating around the interwebs. Unfortunately it's fake, but look at these kids!

2. One Brazilian fan lost his mind during the win over Chile. A Television was the lone victim. 

3. Brazil's newspapers weren't super original following Julio Cesar's heroics. 

4. How Brazil vs. Chile will be viewed down the road.