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Favorites Brazil must win even without Neymar, says Casemiro
SAO PAULO, June 14, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Star forward Neymar’s injury absence
changes nothing for Brazil at the Copa America, midfielder Casemiro said on
Thursday, insisting that the hosts must triumph come what may.
Neymar will miss the South American showpiece after injuring ankle
ligaments last week in the Selecao’s penultimate warm-up friendly.
His injury came as the Paris Saint-Germain forward faced accusations from a
Brazilian model that he sexually assaulted her in a hotel in the French
capital.
“Regardless of the competition we’re in, Brazil are favorites and must
win,” Casemiro said ahead of Friday’s tournament opener against Bolivia in
Sao Paulo.
“Without a doubt, even without Neymar — Brazil’s main star — we’re still
very strong,” the Real Madrid player added.
Brazil are aiming for a ninth Copa America success and have claimed victory
on all four previous occasions as hosts: in 1919, 1922, 1949 and 1989.
But they haven’t lifted the trophy since 2007 when winning for a fourth
time in five editions from 1997.
“We cannot hide from that responsibility,” said coach Tite. “We know that
we have to build step by step for the title.”
And while he admitted that it was a blow to be missing “one of the best
three in the world,” he said that the squad is not thinking about Neymar’s
absence.
“When it comes to us, we talk more about Neymar here (in press conferences)
that there in (training.) We talk about preparation as a whole,” Tite told
reporters at the Morumbi stadium where Brazil will play minnows Bolivia.
“We know it’s going to be a tough match, we know how Bolivia play,” said
Casemiro of Brazil’s first Group A opponents.
“They’re very well organized, particularly defensively.”
Brazil warmed up for the tournament with victories last week over Qatar (2-
0), who will make their Copa America debut as invitees on Sunday, and
Honduras (7-0).
“The team is very strong. You can see with those seven goals, the whole
team was celebrating together,” said Tite.
His squad are hoping to erase the painful memories of their crushing
disappointment five years ago when hosting the World Cup.
A 7-1 semi-final humbling at the hands of Germany put paid to their hopes
of landing a first global crown since 2002.
“We’re ready, we showed it in these two (friendly) games, which in my
opinion were the best we’ve played since the World Cup” in Russia last year,
added Casemiro.
There Brazil lost 2-1 to Belgium in the quarter-finals.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0847 hrs