Brazil 'one step behind' top teams, says captain Danilo

Brazil captain Danilo said he was sure the team had left 'a lot to be desired in recent times', and that he felt they had been 'a step behind' at times without being able to win, despite playing at a good level. "In the last two tournaments we did very well and couldn't win. If we can't win by doing everything perfectly, we are a step behind," he said.

Danilo acknowledged that the team ‘is not well built', although he stressed that Dorival 'found a clear and well-done planning path'.

"We have to improve, of course. We know that the patience (of the fans) is shorter, but that's the way it is,’ Danilo said, referring to the discontent of the fans who question the performance of Brazil, who are fourth with 10 points.

The player also said that as a national team they must have got used to dealing with the expectations of playing for a team with Brazil's hierarchy, but admitted that 'the games are really difficult', including against Paraguay, who are seventh and in the play-off zone.