Brazil learn lesson from World Cup Heartbreak

Coutinho, Neymar and Jesus will be key to Brazil's world cup hopes

As the most successful team in the history of the FIFA World Cup, and having played at each and every tournament, it is almost a given that Brazil will be favourites more often than not. 

In the 2018 edition of the world's greatest sporting event Brazil sit firmly as the team to watch out for even after the gut-wrenching demise of their world cup dream in front of their home fans in Belo Horzonte.

On a day which will forever go down as biggest loss in Brazilian football Germany produced footballing lesson as they blitzkrieged the hosts 7-1 as they marched their way to a fourth world cup title.

From that defeat chinks in Brazil's armour were laid bare to the world as a ruthless and concise Germany team picked off Brazil in a fashion not even themselves might have expected.

Deadly individually, but even more devasting as a unit Germany taught Brazil a lesson on the indiscretions  of building a team around a single focal point as opposed to building a solid team. 

The unfortunate injury suffered by star man Neymar and the suspension of then captain Thiago Silva left the Selecao in disarray. 

Without the  organizational leadership of Silva Germany ran amok and without Neymar's x-factor Brazil couldn't quite find that end product in front of goal despite creating a number of chances.

The Brazil world cup provided a point of reflection for the five time world champions and aided by the quality in their squad as player performances have stepped up in the years since that fateful semi-final could see them find their back on top.

Paulinho has been a revelation since moving to Barcelona along with Fernandinho, who played a starring role in Manchester City's record breaking season, and Real Madrid's Casemiro form one of the best mid-fields in the tournament with still having the option of Manchester United bound Fred to call upon as well.

In the high stakes competition of the world cup a number of teams have quality in their squads, however, this isn't always enough and you need something a little bit extra and that's what Brazil have found themselves in plenty of supply. 

Neymar, Coutinho, Douglas Costa will give Brazil the x-factor that they found themselves devoid of in their semifinal defeat.

The centre forward position which has been a point of contention which was lead by an underwhelming Fred in the last world cup now have two forwards ready to follow in the footsteps of past greats like Ronaldo.

With a combined goal tally of 45 for club and country Brazil's strike force is in good hands with either Liverpool's Roberto Firmino and Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus leading the line.

As good as the squad is, full credit should be given to coach Tite who has gotten the team to perform. In his short spell at the helm of the Brazilians have only lost just one match. This has come down to Tite reinventing his side bringing a dose of pragmatism to go with the extravagance of Brazil's playing style. 

On paper Brazil look like the real deal, however up until they have that trophy hoisted above their heads it may be too early to be singing their praises, but its good to at least see them learning from past experiences.