Brazil aim to put 7-1 fiasco to bed

DAVID Luiz has said that Brazil have got over their World Cup nightmare by winning 10 games in a row heading into the Copa America in Chile.

But the centre-back said he could understand why some Brazil supporters, who have still to recover from the 7-1 hammering by Germany last year, jeered them at recent games.

“The players who went through the World Cup are more mature,” said Luiz, who was team captain that fateful night. “We’re working hard every day to grow, to evolve.”

The shaggy-haired defender said “this is the best atmosphere I have ever known in the Brazil team”.

Going into their first Copa America game against Peru tonight (11.15pm on SuperSport 3), Brazil have won 10 straight games, scoring 21 goals and conceding two. But that includes a lacklustre 1-0 win over Honduras earlier this week and a 2-0 win over Mexico last Sunday in which they were booed by fans.

Luiz, one of seven survivors from the Germany semifinal debacle, insisted that Brazil are heading back to the summit.

“Without a doubt, that was the best start we could have. We faced great opponents and overcame them. We’ve prepared for this Copa America,” Luiz said.

Brazil are in Group C with Peru, Colombia and Venezuela.

But Luiz said “it will be one of the most difficult Copa Americas in history” with Chile, Uruguay and Argentina all “very high level” opponents.

The Paris Saint-Germain man said he understood the frustration of Brazil fans.

“I think it is normal,” he said. “It is part of the job and helps us to grow, mature and evolve.”

Brazil head coach Dunga also sought to reassure fans.

“When it comes down to it, it was the last warm-up for the Copa, so it is understandable the players took their foot off the accelerator a little bit,” said Dunga, World Cup winner in 1994 as a player and who coached Brazil to Copa success in 2007.

Neymar and Argentina skiper Lionel Messi are just two of the Europe-based stars on show in Chile, including James Rodriguez of Colombia, Chile’s Alexis Sanchez and Edinson Cavani of Uruguay.

Messi and Neymar arrive in Chile less than a week after inspiring Barcelona to the Champions League, the final act of a treble-winning season.

Both players are carrying a mountain of expectation, with Messi determined to finally taste glory at an international tournament and Neymar aiming to erase the memory of Brazil’s World Cup debacle.

Messi admitted that his richly talented squad — which includes Angel di Maria, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero — were determined to end the Albiceleste’s long wait for a title.

Argentina’s trophy drought pales into comparison with the fate of long-suffering Chile, still waiting for their first Copa America title after 99 years.

Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli can call on a spine of excellent players in Barca keeper Claudio Bravo, Italy-based midfielders Arturo Vidal and Gary Medel and Arsenal star Sanchez as the hosts try to break their duck.

Players who went through World Cup are more mature