Brazil midfielder Fernandinho has warned Brazil that they must not allow Colombia's James Rodriguez any space - or risk being overrun by the playmaker.
Colombia have well and truly lived up to their tag of dark horses, finishing top of Group C and sealed their place in the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over Uruguay to set up an enticing clash with Brazil.
But without their star man James Rodriguez, it may not have been possible. The Monaco midfielder has taken the World Cup by storm, scoring five goals in just four games to go top of the goalscoring charts, as well as providing his team-mates with two assists.
And Fernandinho, who played against Rodriguez when the Colombian was at FC Porto, believes they must stop the talented playmaker if they are to progress.
"I played against him in the Champions League," the 28-year-old said. "It was at the start of his time in Europe and he wasn't yet a first-choice for Porto.
"Already in that game he showed his technical quality with his left foot. In this World Cup he is showing everyone that the money Monaco paid for him was well invested. The less space he gets against us, the better it will be for Brazil."
Ahead of the all-South American clash, Fernandinho dismissed any notion that Brazil are struggling to handle the pressure to win their sixth World Cup on home soil.
He added: "We have been preparing ever since we first got together on May 26. We have worked on the psychological side and there is no need to do any of that now. What matters now is to show what we can do on the pitch," he said.
"This is my opinion. We have a very big responsibility representing a country of 200 million people who hope for happiness and better days through football." He added: "We still kept our concentration at the decisive moment when it came to penalties."
by the independent / www.FlagWigs.com
No comments:
Post a Comment