Brazil coach Diniz wants “aggression” against Argentina

Brazil’s national soccer team must be “very aggressive” in attack as well as defense in its World Cup qualifier with Argentina. This was stated by the coach of the team, Fernando Diniz, who admitted that he was “worried” about a clash with Lionel Messi, who is “one of the best football players in history”.

“I hope we play with intensity, very aggressively, to attack and score,” Diniz told a press conference at the Brazilian Football Confederation’s base in Terepolis, in Rio de Janeiro state.

“Everyone wants their team to attack well and defend well. I expect the team to be balanced without losing efficiency,” the coach added.
The Seleção are under pressure ahead of the Maracana derby as they are on a three-match winless run, as well as losing two in a row. This had never happened to the Brazilians in world qualifiers.

The Brazilian team is in fifth place with seven points in the standings, while the Argentines are first with 12 points. The Albiceleste still lost to Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay 2-0 at the Bombonera in Buenos Aires on Thursday.

“I’m not in the habit of making many changes, but we will make some improvements because Argentina is a complete team and they have Messi in their ranks. We will try to impose our qualities, to impose ourselves by taking the necessary security measures. It is not by chance that they are not world champions and they have one of the best players in history,” said Diniz. He has to deal with the absence of five starters, including the injured captain Casemiro, as well as Neymar and Vinicius. “These are the players we needed – on and off the field,” said the selector.

Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos, who will be captain, admitted it was a “delicate moment” for the team but said the team had the “guts” to come out on top against Argentina.

Diniz, 49, admitted he was not thinking about whether this would be his last game in charge of Brazil after he signed a 12-month contract in July. The next qualifying rounds in South America will be next September.