Brazil coach Tite has come to his star player Neymar‘s defence after former England and Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello had called the forward a “diver”.
Tite’s mood during the press conference prior to the game against Serbia, changed drastically after he was asked about Capello’s remarks to Italian television.
“Capello, this is for you, from coach to coach, it was a penalty, OK, it was a penalty. That’s all,” Tite said.
Capello was dissatisfied with Neymar’s performance in Brazil’s 2-0 win against Costa Rica, when the referee had given a penalty but had to overturn his decision after consulting VAR – that showed there wasn’t much contact.
“For me he’s a diver,” Capello had said.
“He throws himself easily to the ground but he is a great player, he is also a champion.
“He has more genius than (Cristiano) Ronaldo but less power, even if in these games he did not show (his) change of pace, dribbling and his imagination.”
Neymar has earned the reputation of going to the ground easily over the past few months and in light of his theatrics a bar in Rio de Janeiro has planned to offer patrons free shots every time he falls over in the match against Serbia.
“At each Neymar fall, it’s a round of shots on the house!” the Sir Walter Pub in northern Rio posted on its Facebook page.
However, the PSG superstar can easily claim that he leads the table at the World Cup for being fouled most number of times – 10 in the first game against Switzerland and four against Costa Rica.
Meanwhile, Tite’s team will need a draw against Serbia at the Spartak Stadium to qualify for the knock-out stages of the tournament.
