Brazilian football players are graced in terms of technique, publicity, glamour and fame. Here are five of the best from the Champions League so far.
Willian of Shakhtar Donetsk
Willian of Shakhtar has been a stand out performer for the side in their group games so far.
His two goals away at Chelsea showed that he has the quality to take his chances whether his team are dominating in attack or whether they are being forced to counter attack with a few decent half chances against a strong opponent.
He has been effective because his ball retention is superb and his movement in the Shakhtar midfield means he is always available to receive the ball from a teammate under pressure.
Oscar of Chelsea
Oscar was under a lot of pressure when he joined Chelsea because many questioned whether he would be good enough to cut it in a typically English team.
He answered his critics with two goals in Chelsea’s first Champions League match against Juventus and he has been a regular player in the side ever since.
Oscar regularly plays in the hole behind the main striker linking the midfield and the attack effortlessly. Oscar needs to maintain his form if Chelsea are going to retain the Champions League title.
Weligton of Malaga
Malaga sit top of their Champions League group with a five point advantage of AC Milan in second place.
This is largely thanks to Brazilian vice-captain Weligton who has been superb in the defence of the side.
He ensures that Malaga stay organised under pressured maintain a straight defensive line that moves as a unit.
His experience is vital to the team and he ensures that the Malaga defence knows when to step up and play the offside trap or drop deeper to try and contain the opposition attack.
Dante of Bayern Munich
Dante has started all of Bayern Munich’s Champions League games so far and has helped the side achieve top spot in their group.
He is a very versatile defender which is why he has been so effective for Bayern Munich.
He can fill in for others when they are out of position and he is not afraid to try and get forward to aid attacks when possible.
His height is key because at over six feet tall he is perfectly primed to see off an aerial threat aimed at Bayern Munich.
Dani Alves of Barcelona
Dani Alves provides valuable support for a very attacking Barcelona team.
He can play in either full back position and is effective when he goes forward because he provides width to a team that likes to retain the ball in front of the opposition back four.
Barcelona top their group with a two point advantage over Celtic and Dani Alves has started three of the group games.
Defensively he receives a lot of criticism because of the way Barcelona play but he is very good at breaking up the play when an opposition side starts to counter attack.
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