#3 Julio Cesar looks better than Rafael Coelho to lead Goa’s line
There’s something different about journeymen, and Julio Cesar proves that. At 36 years of age, the Brazilian can put any mid-20s player to shame with his fitness and work-rate. The former AEK Athens striker, famous for that free-kick against AC Milan, was everywhere on the pitch. Cesar linked up well with Jofre, something which has lacked in Coelho’s presence. The free-kick in the 64th minute was powerful, low and was parried away well by Sandip Nandy.
The striker was caught offside more than half a dozen times, which shows his willingness to make those dangerous off-the-ball runs behind defenders. With a little more drilling on the training pitch and with more understanding of his midfielders’ intents, the former Lokomotiv Moscow can really turn the goal-scoring tables on its head.
With this performance, Rafael Coelho might need to be content with the bench. The striker rose highest for that powerful header past Sandip Nandy, showing his scoring prowess in the air. The rasping attempt in the 54th minute from his left foot showed Zico what he was missing on the field.
