Copa America gives Brazil 1st chance for redemption

AP

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil will play at the Copa America with more on the line than just another South American title.

It will be Brazil's first official competition since an embarrassing elimination at the World Cup, giving the five-time world champions their first chance for redemption.

Although victory in Chile this month won't fully erase the disappointment of the 7-1 semifinal loss to Germany, a good performance will move Brazil a step closer to healing from last year's humiliation.

Brazil opens the Copa America against Peru on Sunday, then plays Colombia on Wednesday and closes group play against Venezuela on June 21. The Brazilians won four of the last six South American tournaments, including two of the last three.

Brazil coach Dunga, who is keeping only six players from the World Cup squad, has already made it clear that he doesn't want the added pressure from last year's loss affecting his team at the Copa America.

"What happened at the World Cup was isolated. Everybody talks about the need to regain (the respect), but Brazilian football remains admired everywhere, the Brazilian jersey is still valued," Dunga said. "The pressure to win will always exist for Brazil. The national team has to remain competitive and keep winning no matter what."

Dunga got off to a good start after taking over for Luiz Felipe Scolari, and Brazil will be entering the Copa America boosted by 10 straight victories under his command, including in friendlies against France, Argentina, Colombia and Chile. It also beat Mexico and Honduras in warm-up matches for the Copa America. Dunga's revamped team has outscored opponents 21-2 since the World Cup.

But the coach is quick to downplay expectations heading into Chile.

"We are still not at the level that we would like to be," Dunga said. "We are very demanding. We are perfectionists. We always want the best. So we will keep trying to improve the most we can."

Brazil's Copa America squad again will be led by Neymar, who got injured in the World Cup quarterfinals and didn't play in the losses to Germany and the Netherlands in the third-place game. He is arriving in Chile in top form, and boosted by the Champions League title he won with Barcelona a week ago.

"We expect Neymar to perform as well as he has been performing with the national team and with Barcelona," Dunga said.

Neymar reported late to the national team because of the Champions League final. Brazil started its preparations on June 1, but Neymar only arrived about a week later, after he scored a goal in Barcelona's 3-1 win over Juventus in the final in Germany last Saturday.

Dunga will also count on veteran striker Robinho, who was key when Brazil won the Copa America for the last time in 2007, when the coach was making his debut following the national team's elimination in the 2010 World Cup. Robinho was the top scorer that year in Venezuela, and was voted the tournament's most valuable player.

The defense will be led by Paris Saint-Germain defenders David Luiz and Thiago Silva, two of the players who were at the World Cup, but left back Marcelo will miss the tournament because of an injury. Right back Danilo also was dropped from the squad because of an injury.

The midfield will also be depleted because of injuries, as defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo and playmaker Oscar have already been ruled out. They also played at the World Cup.

Dunga is taking a few youngsters who may be used in the under-23 Olympic squad next year in Rio, including Fabinho, Marquinhos and Fred.

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