Brazil coach Tite has provided his squad with a plan A and plan B for Monday’s match against Mexico in Samara, one which had originally been formed with 2014 nemesis Germany in mind.
Mexico however defeated Germany in their group match and finished second in Group F. Germany exited the World Cup after a defeat against South Korea. Brazil have never lost a World Cup game against an opponent from central or South America. However, given that rate at which ‘giant killings’ have been going on in this World Cup so far, Brazil will do well to be aware of the threat that Mexico possesses.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. After Spain’s defeat to Russia, the message inside the Selecao camp was loud and clear: There will not be any letup from Mexico. Brazil captain informed that Tite has provided two plans for the match and hoped that Neymar will start to find real form.
“I think our evolution has been impressive since the first match,” Thiago was quoted by The Guardian as saying.
“We are well-prepared and planning to progress to the quarter-finals. The coach provided us with all the necessary tools; we have plan A and plan B. We hope that [Monday] will be a wonderful day, and that Neymar will be as inspired as everyone else.”
Neymar is still finding his feet after the metatarsal injury and Tite belived that Neymar is still not performing the way that they would have liked.
“His average performance exceeds his teammates’ performances … but this figure is still not high enough for Neymar,” he cited in relation to Neymar needing more game time.
Brazil are focused on their Round of 16 opponents and do not seek to dwell in the past, according to captain Thiago Silva.
“Germany belongs to the past, you cannot revert to the history,” he concluded.
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