Brazil will play at the Copa America with more on the line than just another South American title.
It will be Brazil’s first official competition since an embarrassing elimination at the World Cup, giving the five-time world champions their first chance for redemption.
Although victory in Chile this month will not fully erase the disappointment of the 7-1 semi-final loss to Germany, a good performance will move Brazil a step closer to healing from last year’s humiliation.
Brazil face Peru on Monday morning, UAE time.
Brazil coach Dunga, who is keeping only six players from the World Cup squad, has already made it clear that he does not want the added pressure from last year’s loss affecting his team at the Copa America.
“What happened at the World Cup was isolated. Everybody talks about the need to regain (the respect), but Brazilian football remains admired everywhere, the Brazilian jersey is still valued,” Dunga said. “The pressure to win will always exist for Brazil. The national team has to remain competitive and keep winning no matter what.”
Dunga got off to a good start after taking over for Luiz Felipe Scolari and Brazil will be entering the Copa America boosted by 10 straight victories under his command.
His revamped team has outscored opponents 21-2 since the World Cup, but “we are still not at the level that we would like to be,” Dunga said. “We are very demanding. We are perfectionists. We always want the best. So we will keep trying to improve the most we can.”
Brazil’s Copa America squad will be led by Neymar, who arrives in Chile in top form and boosted by the Uefa Champions League title he won with Barcelona a week ago.
“We expect Neymar to perform as well as he has been performing with the national team and with Barcelona,” Dunga said.
Dunga will also count on veteran striker Robinho, who was key when Brazil last won the Copa America in 2007. Robinho was the top scorer that year in Venezuela and was voted the tournament’s most valuable player.
Hosts Chile won the Copa’s opening match 2-0 over Ecuador on Thursday night, and Mexico took on Bolivia on Friday night.
sports@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
