The rise of Gleison Bremer, the defensive ace with a knack for scoring goals

Brazilian defender Gleison Bremer is making a name for himself in Serie A, with his latest goal helping Juventus secure a 4-2 victory over Sampdoria on Sunday night.

Bremer’s headed effort in the second half was his third goal of the season in Italy’s top-flight, a tally that highlights his attacking prowess from defence.

The 25-year-old has now scored nine headed goals since the start of the 2019/20 season, a feat that puts him in the company of some of Europe’s most respected defenders.

According to Opta, only Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk has scored more headed goals than Bremer among defenders in the top 5 European leagues over the past two seasons.

Van Dijk has 10 to his name, while Bremer’s nine is an impressive achievement for a player who only joined Juventus from Torino in the summer of 2022.

Bremer’s form has been a bright spot in what has been a difficult season for Juventus.

The Turin club has struggled to keep pace with leaders Roma, Lazio, Inter and AC Milan in the race to get the top four after 15 points deduction but Bremer’s contribution in both defence and attack has been a positive for manager Massimiliano Allegri.

The Brazilian has been a commanding presence in the air, using his 6ft 3in frame to great effect in both boxes. In addition to his goals, he has also provided a solid defensive shield for the Juventus backline in Serie A this season.

Bremer’s performances have not gone unnoticed, with many tipping him for a bright future in Italian football. Juventus will hope that he can continue to develop and make further contributions to their cause as they aim to secure a top-four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League.