Bruno Guimaraes goes public with his frustrations


 
 
 
 
 
 

Bruno Guimaraes has been talking about his frustrations.

The Newcastle United midfielder speaking from Los Angeles.

Bruno Guimaraes is over in America for the Copa America tournament, the equivalent of the European Championships.

Brazil kicked off their campaign at 2 am UK time on Tuesday (25 June) morning in their first group match, facing a Costa Rica side ranked number 52 in the world.

There then followed incredible frustration for Bruno Guimaraes. He had an excellent game personally and was key to Brazil’s possession dominance, calmly setting the tempo for this match. However, despite absolutely battering Costa Rica, Brazil couldn’t find a way through.

Chance after chance went by for those playing in front of Bruno Guimaraes, who has a generally more disciplined deeper role to play for his national side. Marquinhos saw a goal ruled out via one of those very marginal VAR offside calls, whilst Paqueta saw a rocket of a shot come back off the post.

Costa Rica struggled to even get out of their half and the final stats showed Brazil with 19 v 2 in terms of overall shots and 9 v 1 on corners.

Bruno Guimaraes almost won it himself late on, his effort from just inside the box, clearing the angle of the goal by a very small margin.

The Newcastle United midfielder left very frustrated, for two main reasons.

Firstly the failings of himself and his teammates to turn their almost total dominance into goals.

Secondly, Bruno pointing out how the Copa America using American Football stadiums, means a lot less space on the smaller pitches, which naturally benefits more defensive teams, as there is less space to play in against them, not as easy to stretch a very defensive set-up.

The Costa Rica match was played at the So-Fi stadium in Los Angeles, it is the home of the American Football sides, the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers.

Bruno Guimaraes talking to Globo Esporte after Brazil 0 Costa Rica 0 – 25 June 2024:

“We are very frustrated, to be very honest.

“I believe we had the best opportunities of the game, but when we wear the Brazil shirt, we have to win, especially games like this.

“We had control, we didn’t give them anything to counter-attack, which was what they wanted. Costa Rica did not attempt a goal.

“But the last ball was missing, the last part was missing.

“We had a ball hit the post, I had a chance there too that I couldn’t miss.

“In short, we left frustrated, but with a very strong, strengthened mind, because games like this we have to kill when we have the opportunity.

“We talked there for a while, [Brazil Head Coach] Dorival gave us a lot of morale, he gave us confidence, we trust his work a lot, everything he asked of us was done, there were some details missing.

“Stay focused and I believe we will achieve.

“To be quite honest, it’s even difficult to talk about this [using American Football stadiums with smaller pitches], it’s not trying to make excuses or anything, but it really favours the team that only defends.

“It’s difficult to switch [play], they’re always well positioned, it’s complicated.

“But we have to play, we knew it would be like this, we’re not going to complain about regulations, anything, but if we want to match European football, it’s these details that make all the difference.

“But even with all this we had a lot of opportunities, we created a lot, we should have won.

“To be honest, we should have won, I’m very sad, very frustrated, but mentally we will be strong to win the next game.

“I believe the main thing was to shoot from outside, switch [play], we moved the ball a lot from one side to the other.

“We turned, we hit Vini, Raphinha, then Savinho.

“There was a little lack, when we shot we hit the post, we had other opportunities, but let’s focus on the next game. That’s it, we can’t do anything, we left here sad, but confident that we have a lot ahead of us.”

A massive game now awaits on Friday (2 am kick-off Saturday in UK time) in Las Vegas, as Bruno Guimaraes and Brazil, are up against Miguel Almiron and Paraguay.

This will be played at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, home of the Las Vegas Raiders, another American Football stadium and team.

Brazil remain second favourites for the completion behind Argentina but they play Colombia in the final group match. Colombia are fourth favourites and have won their last nine matches and are unbeaten in 24. That latest win coming on Monday night against an unlucky Miggy and Paraguay, who more than matched their fancied opponents but lost 2-1. So after the opening round of group games, Colombia three points, Brazil and Costa Rica one each, Paraguay bottom without a point.

Newcastle United players on Copa America duty:

Monday 24 June 2024

Colombia 2 Paraguay 1 (Copa America Group match)

Miguel Almiron and Paraguay very unlucky against one of the favourites to win the tournament.

Paraguay going two down by the break due to poorly defended headed goals, then pulling one back in the second half but unable to get the equaliser they deserved.

The final stats showed that Paraguay had more overall shots (12 v 11), the same number on target (3 v 3) and the same number of corners (3-3). Only when it came to putting the ball in the net, did Colombia edge it.

Tuesday 25 June 2024

Brazil 0 Costa Rica 0 (Copa America Group match)

Chance after chance went by for those playing in front of Bruno Guimaraes, who has a generally more disciplined deeper role to play for his national side. The Newcastle midfielder having a very good personal performance.

Marquinhos saw a goal ruled out via one of those very marginal VAR offside calls, whilst Paqueta saw a rocket of a shot come back off the post.

Costa Rica struggled to even get out of their half and the final stats showed Brazil with 19 v 2 in terms of overall shots and 9 v 1 on corners.

Bruno Guimaraes almost won it himself late on, his effort from just inside the box, clearing the angle of the goal by a very small margin.

Friday 28 June 2024

Paraguay v Brazil (Bruno Guimaraes and Miguel Almiron) Copa America Group match

Tuesday 2 July 2024

Colombia v Brazil (Bruno Guimaraes) Copa America Group match

(There will of course be more matches for Newcastle United players if their nations get through the group stages of the Copa America)

Sunday 14 July 2024 – Copa America final