World Cup

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Attendance: 60,342

World Cup | Quarter-Finals

Jul 4, 2014 at 9pm UK

Brazil
2-1
Colombia

Silva (7'), Luiz (69')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Rodriguez (80' pen.)

Fernandinho happy to play holding role for Brazil

By Joe Fish, Reporter

Published: July 2 2014 | 13:22

Last updated: July 2 2014 | 14:38

Fernandinho insists that he would be comfortable filling in for Luis Gustavo as Brazil's holding midfielder for their World Cup quarter-final with Colombia on Friday.

Fernandinho has insisted that he is comfortable playing in a holding midfield role should he be needed to provide cover for Luis Gustavo in Brazil's World Cup quarter-final with Colombia on Friday.

Wolfsburg's Gustavo is usually deployed as the anchor of Brazil's central midfield pair, with his partner, which was Fernandinho in the last-16 penalty-shootout victory over Chile, given more licence to go forward.

However, Gustavo is suspended for the meeting with Colombia in Fortaleza, and therefore Luis Felipe Scolari may have to reshuffle, with Fernandinho dropping deeper and Paulinho or Ramires returning to the side.

This is fine by the 29-year-old, who performed such a role regularly for Manchester City last season.

"When I was called up, it was to play in the holding role," he told reporters. That is how I played in England throughout last season. For me it is no problem whatsoever.

"If 'Felipao' opts for somebody else, that is also not a problem. The important thing is to find the balance we need to keep the midfield secure against Colombia.

"When I play in that position, my job is to mark, close down spaces. Whoever plays alongside me, we will do our best to cover for the absence of Luiz Gustavo."

Fernandinho's City performances helped him return to the international fold in March, after a two-year absence.