The Brazilians are starting to feel the heat.
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has enlisted the team psychologist to aid his stressed-out players, some of whom have been reduced to tears by the pressure of trying to win a World Cup in their own country.
Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo reported sports psychologist Regina Brandao made an “urgent” and unscheduled visit to the team’s training camp Tuesday, three days before Brazil’s quarterfinal clash with Colombia.
Brandao, who has worked with Scolari for more than 20 years, did not say whether the meeting was urgent.
“The visit formed part of our initial planning. I have classes and I couldn’t be here for long,” Brandao told CBF TV.
“I speak constantly with the players. We speak to each other on WhatsApp, we speak on the phone, we communicate by email,” she added.
Neymar, the star Brazil forward who has scored four goals in the World Cup and converted the final penalty kick against Chile in the Round of 16, says the sessions with Brandao are paying dividends.
“I had never done anything like it before and I am quite enjoying it,” he said, according to AFP.
“It is not only us, in football, who are surrounded by emotion every day and need psychologists. I think it could do every person good, to make one more relaxed.
“We have a very good relationship with Regina Brandao. She is a great person. I am learning a lot and I hope to continuing doing it.”
The emotions of the Brazilian players has been a hot topic in the host country. Neymar was seen crying during the national anthem of the World Cup’s opening game and shed tears of relief after the Chile shootout.
“They cry during the national anthem, they cry at the end of extra time, they cry before and after the penalties,” remarked Carlos Alberto Parreira, the team’s technical director.
Zico, who appeared in three World Cups for Brazil, said the team’s lack of restraint could rear its head at the wrong time.
“There’s a lack of focus during the game, which can hurt Brazil. There are players who get emotional and forget the game. They need to have more control,” he said.
However, the team’s goalie, Julio Cesar, said he has no problems emoting. The 34-year-old goalie was seen crying during the game against Chile, along with Neymar, David Luiz, and the team’s captain, Thiago Silva.
“I never hid that I am an emotional person. This match proves that if you have a dream you must chase it,” he said afterward.
Neymar added he doesn’t feel the burden of trying to carry his team to its first World Cup title since 2002.
“I don’t feel overburdened either on the pitch or off it. I have teammates who help me by winning the ball back, scoring goals, setting them up,” he said.
“The Brazil team doesn’t have just one person who has to do everything.”
With wires