Sports
TITE has slammed Dylan Bronn’s challenge on Neymar during Brazil’s win over Tunisia on Tuesday, claiming it was “a move to take a player out of the World Cup”.
The Selecao completed their preparations for the Qatar World Cup with a commanding 5-1 victory in Paris, with Neymar among the goals.
His penalty kick took him to 75 goals at international level.
But the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward was subjected to a heavy challenge in the 42nd minute by Tunisia defender Bronn, who was sent off.
Tite though welcomed the competitive nature of the friendly with Jalel Kadri’s side, who were unbeaten in seven games.
But the Brazil coach was far from pleased with the treatment of his talisman.
“We were in an atmosphere where most of the fans were from Tunisia,” he said. “At some points, I tried to locate our fans, they diluted. This has created an atmosphere of competitive play.
“The game on the pitch —- we knew it would be competitive, loyal. But I didn’t imagine the move that happened to Neymar. It’s a move to take a player out of the World Cup.
“We tried to have two friendlies with teams that are in the World Cup, because the degree of demand is very high, physical, technical and mental. Tunisia had seven games unbeaten.
“The competitive spirit doesn’t allow you to play a friendly that doesn’t have an emotional clash, so we wanted to prepare, and we were going to take that risk, yes. But it’s what we decided.”
The five-time world champions head to Qatar later this year on a 15-match unbeaten streak —- winning their last seven —- ahead of facing Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon in Group G.(dpa/NAN)
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Tags: Dylan Bronn Neymar Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) Qatar World Cup
