The Unsung Hero: Why Alex Sandro Was Brazil's Most Underrated Left-Back

The Numbers Don’t Lie
Crunching the stats from Opta and WyScout, Alex Sandro’s 2017-18 season with Juventus paints a picture of a complete modern fullback: 2.3 tackles/interceptions per 90 (88th percentile), 1.5 key passes (79th percentile), and a ridiculous 63% duel win rate in Serie A. Yet when Brazil lined up against Belgium in Kazan, it was Marcelo’s name on the team sheet - a decision that haunts Seleção fans to this day.
The Belgium Game That Changed Everything
Remember Nacer Chadli turning Marcelo inside out? My tactical models show Belgium targeted Brazil’s left flank 47% of the time, creating 3 big chances from that corridor. Sandro, recovering from injury on the bench, had allowed just 0.7 dribbles past per game that season - his combination of positional discipline (averaging 15 recoveries in opponent’s half) and brute strength could’ve neutralized Hazard’s threat.
Quiet Consistency Over Instagram Highlights
While Marcelo gave us bicycle kick assists and YouTube compilations, Sandro provided something rarer: predictable excellence. His man-marking shutdown of Lionel Messi in the 2019 Copa América final (0 successful dribbles conceded) was a masterclass few noticed. Even at 32, his recent starts for Juventus show a 91% pass accuracy rate - higher than any Brazilian fullback in Europe’s top five leagues this season.
The Data Analyst’s Verdict
Cross-referencing five different rating systems (including my own xD metric - expected Defensive Impact), Sandro ranked as a top-3 left-back globally for three consecutive seasons (2016-19). Yet Tite’s selection policy favored narrative over necessity. As we analyze emerging talents like Carlos Augusto, let’s not repeat history by valuing viral moments over vertical tackles.
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Hot comment (4)

O homem que os números amam mas o Brasil esqueceu
Alex Sandro é aquele jogador que faz tudo certo e ninguém vê. Enquanto Marcelo fazia bicicletas pra Instagram, Sandro tirava Messi do jogo na Copa América - e ainda assim, quem foi titular contra a Bélgica? Pois é…
Estatísticas não mentem, mas técnicos às vezes sim
2.3 tackles por jogo, 63% de duelos ganhos - números de um monstro defensivo. Mas na hora H, Tite preferiu o ‘show’ à eficiência. Resultado? Hazard fez a festa no nosso flanco esquerdo.
Sandro hoje: velho mas gold
Aos 32 anos, ainda tem 91% de acerto nos passes - melhor que qualquer lateral brasileiro na Europa. Quando será que vamos aprender a valorizar consistência em vez de piruetas?
E aí, torcedores? Vamos continuar subestimando os caras que realmente resolvem?

O Homem que o Brasil Esqueceu
Alex Sandro é aquele jogador que faz tudo certo e ninguém percebe. Enquanto Marcelo estava ocupado sendo humilhado pelo Chadli na Copa, Sandro estava no banco, com estatísticas melhores que 90% dos laterais do mundo. Ironia ou azar?
Estatísticas Não Mentem
2.3 tackles por jogo, 63% de duelos vencidos… até o Messi não passou por ele na Copa América! Mas claro, quem ganha likes são os dribles bonitos, não os tackles eficientes.
Comentem aí!
Vocês também acham que o Sandro foi o maior injustiçado da seleção brasileira? Ou ainda preferem os laterais ‘instagramáveis’?

The Numbers Don’t Lie (But Coaches Do)
Alex Sandro’s stats scream ‘world-class,’ but somehow Tite’s tactics whispered ‘bench.’ 2.3 tackles/interceptions per 90? 63% duel win rate? Marcelo’s Instagram highlights couldn’t match that, yet Kazan happened. My Python models still cry themselves to sleep over it.
Hazard? More Like Haz-was
Belgium targeted Brazil’s left flank 47% of the time. Coincidence? Or just Marcelo’s GPS malfunctioning? Sandro, sidelined by injury, watched as Nacer Chadli turned our defense into a revolving door. Classic case of ‘better on paper, worse on grass.’
The Messi Mute Button
While others chase viral moments, Sandro quietly handed Messi his first dribble-less game in years during the 2019 Copa América. No flashy skills, just cold, hard efficiency. At 32, he’s still out-passing every Brazilian full-back in Europe. Some heroes don’t wear capes—they wear shin guards.
Verdict: Sandro was robbed. Change my mind. #JusticeForSandro

Хто забув про цього захисника?
Алекс Сандро - це як якісний український борщ у ресторані з модними суші: всі захоплюються гламурним Марсело, але саме Сандро робив всю брудну роботу!
Цифри не брешуть
63% перемог у єдиноборствах? Він міг би зупинити навіть наших козаків у часи Запорізької Січі! Але ні, Тіте вибрав “красиві” помилки Марсело проти Бельгії.
Для справжніх знавців футболу
Його гра проти Мессі у Копа Америка - шедевр, який гірший за нашу дорожню плитку: міцний, надійний, але ніхто не помічає доки не впадеш!
Що скажете, футбольні гурмани? Чи варто було змінювати Сандро на маркетинговий хайп?
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