Defender Danilo, captain of the Brazilian team, criticized the dimensions this Sunday, smaller than usual for soccer practice, in stadiums in the United States chosen to compete in the Copa América.
“The dimensions hurt the game a lot. We have seen Euro Cup matches and it is clear (the difference), but we are not part of that definition,” lamented the Juventus full-back at a press conference at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, where Canarinha will face Costa Rica this Monday.
Danilo, 32 years old and with more than ten years of experience in the senior team, also complained that the players “never” are asked about these types of decisions.
AMERICA’S CUP | Danilo, the silent leader of Brazil who is inspired by Buffon and Ramoshttps://t.co/csosgFULwC
— EFE Deportes (@EFEdeportes) June 22, 2024
Regarding the state of the grass at SoFi Stadium, designed for playing American football, he said that he was “positively surprised” compared to the criticism that other fields have received.
“It’s okay, the quality of the grass is going to lead to a more technical, better game, which in theory benefits,” he noted.
However, due to the small size of the SoFi Stadium, expect a match against Costa Rica “with fewer spaces, where the transitions will be very fast”, precisely one of the Ticos’ strong points.
“With two-three passes you will reach the area. Set pieces will be faster. That is something we have been training to adapt to as quickly as possible,” he revealed.
All in all, Danilo described as “cool” the fact of playing in a venue as imposing as SoFi, although for him “what makes the most impression is playing in the “full” Maracaná in Rio de Janeiro.
