10 best defensive backlines in the new millennium
It’s a common saying that titles are won on good defenses. To an extend it is true. You cannot win always win a game by outscoring your opponent. Sometimes you have to defend well and take your chances when it comes.The good thing about having a strong defensive unit with good communication and a keeper to keep out anything that gets past the backline is that you can always rely on them to at least get your team a draw. Sometimes a single point can be the difference between winning and losing the title.Her we look at some of the best defensive units in football since the turn of the century.Honourable Mentions: Germany (2002 World Cup and 2008 Euro), Barcelona (2008-09) and Juventus (2004-05 and 2011-12)
#1 Brazil (2002 World Cup)
This was probably one of the best ever Brazilian team. The team boasted big names like Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho.
The Brazilians were captained by their right back – Cafu. Cafu played every minute of every game for the Samba Boys at the World Cup and led his team to World Cup glory.
Brazil played a 3 man defense with Cafu and Roberto Carlos playing as wing backs. Cafu and Carlos provided very good support going forward and as the whole world knows were rock solid at the back.
Lucio was the heart of the central defense, the former Inter Milan star, started and played every minute of every game during the World Cup. His defensive partners were former Barcelona man Edmilson and former Milan man Roque Junior.
In between the sticks was Silveira Reis who kept the legendary Dida on the bench throughout the tournament.
Brazil conceded just 4 goals over all, with 2 of them coming in a 5-2 win over Costa Rica in a group stage game which was irrelevant to Brazil’s qualification to the next round as they had already topped the group.
Goal Keeper: Silveira Reis
Right Back: Cafu
Left Back: Roberto Carlos
Center Backs: Lucio, Edmilson and Roque Junior