Brazilian National Team defender and captain Rafaelle believes that this World Cup will show teams with good defenses and not a lot of space to create chances. That’s why coach Pia Sundhage has been insisting that the squad use quick transitions in order to surprise its opponents.
“It is very much the reality of what will happen in this World Cup. The teams are very strong defensively so they will play compact and something we are training a lot and today’s work is this transition. She asks a lot. We have very fast players, especially up front, and this transition will be very important. We are playing compactly defensively, but as soon as we steal the ball we look for that athlete further ahead to make this quick transition. I think that way we can surprise the opponents,” analyzed Rafaelle to Ge.
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According to journalist Cíntia Barlem, Lauren was the partner of Rafaelle in practice, which indicates that the two might be the starting defenders for Brazil in the game against Panama, scheduled for July 24. Marta is not confirmed as a starter as of now, whereas Geyse is one of the options that the team might use a lot because of her speed.
“We have to know the right moment and the time to use the long pass. It’s an outlet sometimes, but also a strategy. When we are being pressured we have plenty of space. In addition to being a strategy, it is an escape valve. With the fast players we have, it’s a weapon we can use to surprise our opponents,” said Rafaelle.
Brazil practiced during the weekend and the players will have this Monday off. Only Nycole will do a special work because she is recovering from a right ankle sprain.
