MX23RW : Friday, January 31 06:21:42| >> :600:374063:374063:

Philippe Coutinho: 'Every World Cup game is difficult'

Coutinho: 'Every WC game is difficult'
© Reuters
Brazil midfielder Coutinho insists that his side will treat every game "like a final" ahead of their second Group E tie with Costa Rica.

Brazil midfielder Coutinho has insisted that his side will treat every game "like a final" ahead of their second Group E tie with Costa Rica.

The five-time champions, who drew 1-1 with Switzerland in their tournament opener on Sunday, lacked an attacking edge as Coutinho's strike was cancelled out by Steven Zuber's second-half header.

Tite's side sit second in the group, but will be targeting three points in Friday's match.

"We said after the last game we need to improve. All games are like a final, even more so in the World Cup," Barcelona midfielder Coutinho told reporters. "We need to take responsibility and our heads have to be in the right place. This game is important and we're looking for three points.

"All games are difficult. Lots of fans think that because we are Brazil we are going to win easily and score lots of goals. Today everyone is better prepared for a World Cup.

"That was the message we took from the first game. We need to be 110 per cent to win our matches. We spoke about the possibilities and the ways to qualify and points, we had a meeting about that but we take to the field aiming to win."

Brazil's last World Cup crown came in 2002.

ID:328746: cacheID:328746:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2483:
Written by
Jonny Whitfield
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Switzerland's Steven Zuber scores their first goal in the match against Brazil on June 17, 2018
Read Next:
Brazil seeking answers over lack of VAR use
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool22165154213353
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2313553327644
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle23125641271441
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth23117541261540
8Aston Villa2310763435-137
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2381053531434
10Fulham238963431333
11Brentford2394104240231
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd2385102832-429
13Crystal Palace236982630-427
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2376102844-1627
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs2373134637924
16Everton225891928-923
17Leicester CityLeicester2345142549-2417
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2344153252-2016
19Ipswich TownIpswich2337132147-2616
20Southampton2313191653-376


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!