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Brazil's Dani Alves & Neymar ready for Paraguay challenge
0-0 draw with Venezuela in opening group game shows just how tough the competition has become reveals Barcelona defender while Santos forward is in confident mood
7 Jul 2011 00:01:00
By Seth Vertelney
Getty Images
After a 0-0 draw with Venezuela in their opening Copa America match, Brazil stars Dani Alves and Neymar are ready for another tough test against Paraguay in their second group game.
Paraguay also started their campaign with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador and Alves feels the low scoring shows just how tough the competition is.
"The lack of goals just shows the balance of the Copa America. The teams have improved a lot," Alves said.
The Barcelona full-back doesn't expect the clash with Paraguay to stay goalless however, and feels the attacking instincts of both teams will provide an entertaining clash.
"Paraguay is a team that likes to attack," he said.
"I think that when we face opponents that also attack, the match is more open and gives you more possibilities."
Venezuela's tough defense helped frustrate Brazilian attacking starlet Neymar, but he insisted that physical marking will not deter him, though.
"It will be tough to irritate me. The marking on me will be the same as I face at Santos. It's tough marking, with tough tackles. I was already prepared for this when I got here. We will prepare further so we can perform better and walk out with a victory on Saturday," he explained.
Despite Brazil's status as tournament favourites, Alves spoke about the Brazilians needing to remain patient.
"We bet on our talent, for the quality of the individuals we have.
"But individual talents only show up when the group is flowing. We can't overcharge these talents with responsibility. We have young players and a new squad. We must have patience."
Brazil will be looking for the full three points against Paraguay, but their opponents will be no pushover with the likes of Roque Santa Cruz and Lucas Barrios in their attacking ranks.
Alves knows that his team will be under pressure to secure a good result, and he understands that this is all part of the territory in the Brazil team.
"The pressure, on Mano and on us, is acceptable," he said.
"The people are used to seeing the Selecao win. We have to take that responsibility. Although the squad is young, it's filled with players with a lot of personality. We are at the Brazilian team and we can't accept other results than the victory."
| Bet: | Returns: | Argentina £24.50 | Draw £32.50 | Brazil £26.00 |
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Paraguay also started their campaign with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador and Alves feels the low scoring shows just how tough the competition is.
"The lack of goals just shows the balance of the Copa America. The teams have improved a lot," Alves said.
The Barcelona full-back doesn't expect the clash with Paraguay to stay goalless however, and feels the attacking instincts of both teams will provide an entertaining clash.
"Paraguay is a team that likes to attack," he said.
"I think that when we face opponents that also attack, the match is more open and gives you more possibilities."
Venezuela's tough defense helped frustrate Brazilian attacking starlet Neymar, but he insisted that physical marking will not deter him, though.
"It will be tough to irritate me. The marking on me will be the same as I face at Santos. It's tough marking, with tough tackles. I was already prepared for this when I got here. We will prepare further so we can perform better and walk out with a victory on Saturday," he explained.
Despite Brazil's status as tournament favourites, Alves spoke about the Brazilians needing to remain patient.
"We bet on our talent, for the quality of the individuals we have.
"But individual talents only show up when the group is flowing. We can't overcharge these talents with responsibility. We have young players and a new squad. We must have patience."
Brazil will be looking for the full three points against Paraguay, but their opponents will be no pushover with the likes of Roque Santa Cruz and Lucas Barrios in their attacking ranks.
Alves knows that his team will be under pressure to secure a good result, and he understands that this is all part of the territory in the Brazil team.
"The pressure, on Mano and on us, is acceptable," he said.
"The people are used to seeing the Selecao win. We have to take that responsibility. Although the squad is young, it's filled with players with a lot of personality. We are at the Brazilian team and we can't accept other results than the victory."
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