Brazil head coach Dorival Jr has urged for calm and focus on the basic steps following the progression of his team to the Copa America quarter final stage.
The nine-time champions played out a 1-1 draw with Colombia on Tuesday – which confirmed they finished with five points from three games in Group D behind their opponents.
Dorival, who took charge in January and led the side to four games before Copa America, has come under the spotlight following a rather unconvincing campaign.
The 62-year-old said to reporters: “It’s a process, nobody skips stages, you don’t get from A to F without going through B.”There will be matches like Costa Rica, good moments like Paraguay [4-1 win], not so good against Colombia.
“I hope the team continues to grow in the basics, just as we’ll fluctuate in others. The results will show us mistakes, successes and flaws.
“It’s natural in the formation of any group. We’ve had some great days of preparation, but not enough for us to have a team that has all the details nailed down and doesn’t suffer at any time.”
Brazil’s next clash is with Uruguay in what is a mouth-watering tie on Saturday – although they will be without winger Vinicius Jr, who received his second yellow card of the group stage for a foul on James Rodriguez on Tuesday.
Dorival admitted Brazil would have to learn how to perform without their key contributors.
“Unfortunately, we have already lost a key player like Neymar for a long time,” he continued.
“And we have to learn that in certain moments, we will not have important players in a game. Others will have to step up. And I think that is the way. We will have a difficult game against Uruguay.”
