PORTO • Brazil coach Tite has defended the 1-1 friendly draw with Panama as "normal" despite the national team producing one of their most insipid displays in recent memory.
Prior to Saturday's meeting at Porto's Dragao Stadium on Saturday, the 76th-ranked Central American minnows had never scored against their opponents before, losing all four previous meetings and conceding 16 goals in the process.
Many had expected more of the same from Tite's third-ranked team.
But, despite enjoying 78 per cent of the ball and twice hitting the woodwork through Richarlison and Casemiro, they could not find the second goal following Lucas Paqueta's first international strike.
Star forward Neymar, out with a fractured foot, watched the game from the stands, with Panama equalising through skipper Adolfo Machado's header from what looked like an offside position.
However, Tite felt that while the "performance was not brilliant, it was not below par either", claiming it was an experimental side even though there were big names on the field including Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho.
The 57-year-old told reporters post-game: "What do we establish at this stage now? We gave young people opportunities.
"After half-time, there were some adjustments we made. At the interval, we were able to reorganise and we then went to a level of normality, but the first half was below expectations.
"Today, we had a defensive line with (Eder) Militao and (Alex) Telles. This is the stage we are in. When we go to the Copa America, then I make the best choices.
"My expectation was to be a bit more creative, but I also have to accept that the midfield is going to make errors.
"I have to make these modifications so that the game can have a creative process with the forwards.
"The supporters are there to listen, to understand, to be annoyed by the result. Normally that's the way it is.
"If I am a fan, I want to win against Panama. We have to understand the context, just as we have to understand the construction of the team."
The Selecao will next play another friendly against the Czech Republic tomorrow as they prepare to host this year's Copa America, which starts on June 14.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Soccer Football - Champions League - Round of 16 First Leg - Olympique Lyonnais v FC Barcelona - Groupama Stadium, Lyon, France - February 19, 2019 Barcelona's Lionel Messi shoots at goal from a free
Football: Wasteful Barca held to goalless draw at defiant Lyon
Keep foot on pedal, warns Solskjaer, Football News & Top
Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk both scored twice as Liverpool returned to winning ways with a dominant performance against Watford to stay top of the Premier League. Jurgen Klopp's side were 2-0
Stylish Liverpool thrash Watford 5-0 to stay top of league
Football: Pochettino's positivity propels pursuit of progress
Valencia president Chan Lay Hoon will step down in July, the club said on Monday, after employing five different coaches in little more than two years in charge. Valencia appoint Anil Murthy
Valencia at 100: President Anil Murthy on plans to compete
Ambitious Hougang show title promise, Football News & Top
Jun 01, 2019 · Since the moment Lucas Moura sent Tottenham Hotspur through, the idea of Harry Kane returning from his latest ankle ligament injury to start Saturday's UEFA Champions League final against
Champions League final result: Liverpool lift sixth European
Babel strike leaves Cardiff on brink of relegation | Football
Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick as England started what they hope is a road back to Wembley for the Euro 2020 final with a comprehensive 5-0 win over the Czech Republic to open their qualifying
Sterling hits hat-trick as England thrash Czech Republic
Mauricio Pochettino plans to ruin old pal Pep Guardiola's Champions League bid Description: Aware of the harsh prism through which his European record is viewed, Guardiola went on the defensive when asked on Tuesday if he had extra motivation to win the competition again.
Pochettino plans to ruin old pal Guardiola's Champions League
PORTO (REUTERS) - Porto converted a penalty awarded following a VAR review three minutes from the end of extra time to beat AS Roma 3-1 and reach the Champions League quarter-finals after an epic
Porto go through with extra time VAR penalty - The Huffington
Football: Zidane set for shock Real Madrid return, reports say MADRID (AFP) - Zinedine Zidane will make a shock return as coach of Real Madrid after the club decided on Monday (March 11) to sack Santiago Solari, say reports in the Spanish press.
Primera División » News » Zidane set for shock Madrid return
Klopp unfazed by early FA Cup exit, Football News & Top
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen