Brazil coach Dunga has defended Juan Camilo Zúñiga ahead of theColombia defender’s reunion with Neymar a year after the challenge which ended the No.10’s World Cup.
Zúñiga became a scapegoat in Brazil due to the lusty challenge which fractured a bone in Neymar’s back during last year’s World Cup quarter-final which meant he would play no part in the semi-finals against Germany.
Shorn of their talisman, Brazil were unable to summon the necessary levels to overcome the Germans and crashed out after an embarrassing 7-1 defeat.
The sides meet again in the second Group C game at the Copa América in Chile with Brazil seeking to add to their opening day win over Peru and Colombia requiring a positive result to maintain expectations at South America’s premier international competition following their shock loss to Venezuela.
Dunga says there will be no hard feelings when his captain meets the Colombia full-back again and insists that Zúñiga does not deserve the treatment he has received.
“There’s no concerns over Neymar,” he said. “He has already played against Colombia in the United States since that [in September 2014].
“The way I see it, it was a harsh but normal duel. Zúñiga lost his coordination. He couldn’t stop so he fouled. I always think that no player goes into a tackle with a malicious thought; to try to take a colleague out of the match.”
Colombia slipped to a shock defeat to Venzeuela on matchday one which leaves José Pékerman’s side in danger of slipping out of contention despite their status as one of the pre-tournament favourites. However, Dunga does not think his opponents need to react too drastically.
“I don’t think they’ll make that many changes over one match,” he said. “There’s pressure, yes, because if they don’t win everybody around football will think that everything’s wrong.
“At this Copa América, matches will keep getting tougher. Colombia will come out more determined and focused after their debut result. It will be a complicated match, like every other in this competition.”
Brazil were occasionally ponderous against the Peruvians in their 2-1 opening day win and were again reliant on a virtuoso performance from Neymar to carry them through. Dunga admits that his side need to improve before facing Colombia.
“We have to play better in a technical aspect,” he said. “We missed a lot of passes against Peru, which is normal for a debut as you’re eager to get the win. Let’s hone this, and let’s hope it’s a calmer match, with fewer fouls.”
Bron: ca2015.com
