‘We Are Accustomed To Playing Defensive Teams’ Insists Gabriel Jesus

Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus says the Seleção are not worried about playing defensive opponents in the group stages of the World Cup this summer, because he is used to playing conservative teams in the Premier League for Manchester City. Brazil made short work of Austria with a 3-0 victory in Vienna, with Jesus opening the […]
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sambafoot_admin
2018-06-11 16:14:00

Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus says the Seleção are not worried about playing defensive opponents in the group stages of the World Cup this summer, because he is used to playing conservative teams in the Premier League for Manchester City.

Brazil made short work of Austria with a 3-0 victory in Vienna, with Jesus opening the scoring in the first half. Second half goals from Neymar and Philippe Coutinho sealed victory in the final warm-up game ahead of Russia 2018.

The Seleção will face Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia in the groups, all of whom are likely to sit deep and try to frustrate Brazil. But Jesus says he and his teammates are not concerned about facing this type of challenge.

“Many of those who played today – me, Coutinho, Willian and Neymar – are accustomed to playing against a five man defence. It is difficult, but with patience and touch of the ball you can break through.

“Their team went a little over the top with their fouls. We had a tough time, we suffered on the pitch, but we scored.” Brazil have now only conceded 5 goals in Tite’s 21 games in charge of the national team.

Jesus’ words were backed up by teammate Philippe Coutinho, “A lot of teams in Europe play like that, with five of them in defence and we practiced a lot of plays during the week to deal with this.”

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