Santiago, June 12 (IANS) Defender David Luiz says Brazil’s preparations for the Copa America have been different from those for last year’s World Cup.
Former Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who was fired after Brazil’s 7-1 World Cup semi-final loss to Germany in July, often held short training sessions to keep his players fresh during the tournament, reports Xinhua.
His successor Dunga, who has since led the Selecao to 10 straight victories, has been known to extend training sessions beyond two hours.
“We always prepare the best way possible,” the Paris Saint-Germain centre-back said on Thursday.
“The players who were part of the World Cup have matured. This preparation is different. We are working every day to learn, grow and try to win the competition.”
Brazil fine-tuned their Copa America preparations with a 2-0 victory over Mexico on Sunday and a 1-0 defeat of Honduras on Wednesday.
Dunga’s team has been drawn in the same group as Colombia, Peru and Venezuela for the quadrennial tournament in Chile.
The Selecao will play their first match against Peru in Temuco on June 14.
