Brazil striker Pato is anticipating another tough test against familiar opponents when the Selecao take on Paraguay in the quarter-finals of the Copa America on Sunday.
|Last Updated: Jul 16, 2011, 09:01 AM IST|Source: Bureau
London: Brazil striker Pato is anticipating another tough test against familiar opponents when the Selecao take on Paraguay in the quarter-finals of the Copa America on Sunday.
The two sides met in the group stages in Cordoba, when Mano Menezes` Brazil required a late equaliser from substitute Fred to claim a 2-2 draw.
The Paraguayans had appeared on course for a surprise win after coming from behind to lead, and while the evidence of that game suggests that Brazilian fans should be worried going into their last-eight showdown, Pato insisted that the two encounters cannot be compared.
"This will be a very tough game, albeit different to our last meeting. We cannot afford to make any mistakes," said the Milan striker, who scored twice as Brazil finally recorded a win in their last Group B outing, defeating Ecuador 4-2.
"We are into the knockout stages now, so both teams will be going out to win the game, but we are confident that we will go through."
Pato also put his improved display against Ecuador down to some candid discussions with Menezes.
"The coach and I have spoken a lot in training about my positioning. He told me to drop out wide more often, and come deep to look for the ball," he added.
"That is what I tried to do, and my two goals prove that it paid off."
Meanwhile, right-back Maicon, who will be hoping to keep his place in the side at the expense of Dani Alves, fired a warning shot to his teammates as they look to defend the title they won in Venezuela four years ago.
"We know that we cannot just turn up and expect to win games because we are Brazil. We will only get the results we want if we are at our very best," he said.
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