Porto Alegre, Brazil: David Luiz said Thursday that Brazil have got over their World Cup nightmare by winning 10 games in a row heading into the Copa America.
But the centre back said he could understand why some Brazil fans, 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 are 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 on Sunday, Brazil have won 10 straight games scoring 21 goals and conceding only two.
But that includes a lacklustre 1-0 win over Honduras on Wednesday and 2-0 win over Mexico on Sunday in which they were booed by fans.
Luiz, one of seven survivors from the Germany semi-final debacle, insisted that Brazil are heading back to the summit and the wins have proved this.
“Without a doubt, that was the best start we could have. We faced great opponents and overcame them in the best way possible. We have prepared for this Copa America in the best way,” Luiz said.
Brazil are in Group C at the Copa against 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 defender said he understood the frustration of fans. “I think it is normal,” he said. “It is part of the job and helps us to grow, mature and evolve.”
Brazil will travel to Temuco, in a cold and wet southern Chile on Friday, to prepare for their first game.
