Belgium head coach, Roberto Martinez has stated that his side will have to defend to cause Brazil pain when both teams clash at the Kazan Arena Stadium on Friday in the 2018 World Cup quarter-final tie.
He, however, admitted that the South Americans are the favourites to qualify for the semi-final.
Martinez’s men had to come from two goals down to beat Japan 3-2 in the round of 16 on Monday to book a place in the last 8 against the Selecao, who defeated Mexico 2-0.
“These two teams constructed to score and to win matches. Against Brazil, it will not be about ball possession, but what you do with it. That’s what this World Cup is all about,” Martinez told reporters on Wednesday.
“We know what we are capable of but Brazil are the favourites, putting us into a different role.
“But it’s a dream match for our players — they were born to play in a match like this. Naturally we want to win, but we are not expected to and that is an important difference.”
“Against a team like Brazil, you must attack and defend with 11 players,” he added.
“We are not talking about a system but understanding what we must do when we have possession.
“I don’t think it will be a game with many secrets. We have to defend as well as we can and then cause them pain when we have the ball. It can be that simple, and this squad is ready for that.”
The winners of the clash will face either France or Uruguay in St Petersburg on July 10.
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