‘For me Neymar would take the first, set the tone’: Jurgen Klinsmann SLAMS Brazil’s penalty tactics
‘For me Neymar would take the first one, you set the tone’: Jurgen Klinsmann SLAMS Brazil’s bizarre decision to leave ‘their best penalty taker until last’ – as they crash out of the World Cup without the PSG star having a chance to score
- Jurgen Klinsmann has slammed Brazil’s decision to not give Neymar first penalty
- Croatia defeated Brazil 4-2 on pens with Neymar not included in the first four
- Rodrygo and Marquinhos both missed costing the Brazilians a quarter-final berth
- It was heartache for Neymar who may not play in the tournament again
Jurgen Klinsmann has slammed Brazil’s decision not to give Neymar the first penalty during their shootout against Croatia.
The South American side were knocked out of the World Cup on Friday night after they were beaten 4-2 by Croatia, with Rodrygo failing to score Brazil’s first penalty and Marquinhos hitting the post, spelling heartache for the South American side.
But their bizarre tactics, choosing not to use their talisman forward, Neymar, as their first spot-kick taker were criticised by Klinsmann who claimed the PSG Superstar should have ‘set the tone for his side.’
Neymar did not take a penalty during Brazil’s defeat to Croatia on penalties on Friday night
While Croatia converted all four of their spot-kicks Rodrygo and Marquinhos (left) both missed
‘They had totally different approaches,’ Klinsmann told BBC Sport after the game. ‘Previously you saw your best penalty taker set the tone. ‘For me Neymar would take the first one, you set the tone.
‘The momentum really shifted with that Croatia goal, just before the end of extra time,’ Klinsmann continued.
‘What goes through your mind if you are a Brazilian player, you get scared. The whole nation expects you to get through and you panic. You are far more nervous because you don’t have any time to balance yourself out.’
The German football legend’s comments were echoed by Rio Ferdinand, who took to Twitter to express his confusion at decision to leave their best penalty taker until last.
Ferdinand wrote: ‘Lads in the studio all speaking on how your best penalty taker can’t be left until last…he never takes a pen half the time….Neymar now left thinking what if…’
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