Thiago Silva sees Brazil’s physical advantage against Croatia in the quarterfinals

Defender Thiago Silva, captain of the Brazilian national team, sees the team at a physical advantage in the confrontation against Croatia due to the fact that Brazil managed to spare starting players in the last match of the group stage, against Cameroon, and the Croatians played an extension against Japan, this Monday (5), to get a place in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

“We’re going to see that difference in the legs. Croatia played in the final of the last World Cup practically playing one more game than France because of the extra time they played. We saw a big difference in that final.”

Then, the defender minimized the impact of physical condition in the quarter-final clash. “The distance from the group stage game to the round of 16 was very short. Until Friday you have time to recover.”

Regarding the move that led to Brazil’s third goal in the 4-1 victory over South Korea, in the pass to Richarlison, the defender said that the move was by chance.

“It was an unworked move, we don’t do this type of situation in training. But, in a second ball from a lateral free kick or a corner kick, we stay there to have a second ball in the area. Incredible as it may seem, I thought about going back, because Marquinhos was already there at the entrance to the area. But I thought ‘since I’m here, I’ll take advantage’. The pass was perfect for Richarlison, who was calm enough to dominate.”