Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti said he refuses to engage in “mind games” ahead of the round-of-32 World Cup clash with Japan on Monday.
The Seleção will take on Japan in one of the more evenly matched first knockout ties on paper.
Both sides went unbeaten in their groups.
Brazil settled for a 1-1 draw with Morocco then beat Haiti and Scotland each 3-0 to qualify atop Group C.
Japan, meanwhile, drew 2-2 with the Netherlands before a 4-0 win over Tunisia and a 1-1 draw with Sweden to finish second in Group F.
Brazil will be the favorites for Monday’s match, but Japan have not lost since a 2-0 defeat to the United States in September.
Since then, Japan have gone on a 10-game unbeaten streak, including impressive wins over England at Wembley Stadium and Brazil in Tokyo.
And it is following that backdrop that Kento Shiogai, the 21-year-old Wolfsburg striker who has played just six minutes for Japan this tournament, alluded to Brazil being fallen giants.
“I won’t repeat what others say. We’re focused on the match, on the opponent’s qualities, on preparing well to avoid problems,” Ancelotti said.
“That’s what match preparation is about. We’re not doing what they call in England ‘mind games.’ How do you say it in Portuguese? Mind games. We’re not going there.”
One of the big moments of Brazil’s win over Scotland was the return of Neymar, who made his first Brazil appearance in over three years.
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Neymar was added to the World Cup squad before he missed friendly matches against Panama and Egypt because of a right calf injury. The Santos attacker also missed Brazil’s two opening matches of the World Cup.
But he returned against Scotland and looked impressive, much to the delight of Ancelotti, who said he is fit to play for more than the 15 minutes he accumulated against Scotland.
“Neymar has progressed very well. I think he improved a lot last week,” Ancelotti said. “It’s a shame he couldn’t train the whole time he was with us.
“He can play more than 15 minutes. He’s in good shape. But it depends a lot on the game context and how things develop tomorrow.”
