Brazil striker Alexandre Pato is confident his side can still go on to lift their third Copa America title in a row, despite a disappointing 0-0 draw with Venezuela in their opening match.
A new-look team featuring the attacking talents of Robinho, Neymar and Ganso, as well as Pato, controlled proceedings for much of the match but were unable to breach their opponents’ defence.
The result, and uninspired performance, provoked an angry reaction from the media in Brazil with many pointing out that a pitchinvading dog got closer to the Venezuelan goal than the eight-time winners.
However, Pato, who hit the woodwork on Sunday night, remains upbeat about the Selecao’s chances and believes lessons have been learned as they prepare for their final two group games against Paraguay and Ecuador.
“We all want to do our job and bring Brazil to the top,” the 21-year-old said. “We did not have much time to train together. But this is just the beginning. If we had won in Venezuela, we would not be talking about this.
“There are two more games, we will win and will qualify to the quarter-finals. We are all convinced we can win the Cup but the team is new, the coach is new, everything is new.”
Brazil are no strangers to sluggish starts at the Copa America. In 2004, their blushes were saved in their opening match against Chile by a 90th-minute Luis Fabiano winner, while they were beaten 2-0 by Mexico in their first game four years ago.
On both occasions they went on to claim the title and Pato doesn’t see why his fellow youngsters can’t repeat the trick this time around and complete a hat-trick of wins, especially as Paraguay and Ecuador also drew.
“We’re not concerned about the draw against Venezuela,” he added. “While we expected a different result, a victory, the other teams tied. So the Cup begins again.
“Every game is different. We had a pretty good first half against Venezuela. The only thing missing was a goal. The game against Paraguay will be different as they will play us on equal terms. There will be more spaces.”
With an attacking triumvirate behind him, Pato was asked by Brazil coach Mano Menezes to lead the line on his own against Venezuela until the second-half introduction of Fred. But the AC Milan forward revealed he wasn’t feeling any extra pressure and is keen to score the goals in Argentina that help fire his side to the quarter-finals.
“I do what Menezes asks because I want to help the team get three points against Paraguay,” he said. “My role is to secure and keep the ball for the team on the offence. Also, I have an obligation to score goals, because I am the centre forward.”
Meanwhile, Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino has vowed to go on the attack when his team meet Brazil on Saturday. Los Guaraníes are also looking for their first goal of the tournament but Martino believes their best chances of success lie in taking the game to their opponents.
“We will not give up the intention of playing, attacking and to win the game,” he said. “We are not a perfect team. But we are working to maintain attention, concentration, and work-rate for 90 minutes.”
Martino is well aware of the attacking threat posed by Brazil though:“Dani (Alves) goes on forever, outside, inside; he is almost a No10. Not only Alves, but Ganso, Robinho, Pato, Neymar and many more.”
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