Brazil national team psychiatrist Regina Brandao was called upon to help the Brazil players get their heads around the World Cup injury absence of Neymar in order to mentally prepare them for what is set to be their toughest fixture of the tournament yet – the semi-final against Germany tonight.
In a FIFA press conference yesterday, Brazil captain Thiago Silva revealed that he and his team mates considered the loss of their 22-year-old talisman a major blow and feared the ramifications it might have to their confidence and performance during this immense pressure stage of the competition.
The players turned to their female shrink Brandao for guidance and she put them at ease, helping restore faith along with the positive mindset that Brazil have what it takes to be a team of winners this year, even without their prized playmaker.
Thiago said: “With Regina we didn’t just speak about Neymar, we spoke about all the things related to football so that we are at ease on the pitch. If we are not at ease things won’t happen the way we want them to do.
“Neymar was something we all spoke about a lot so we could feel at ease. We all said what was on our minds.”
Brazil take on Germany in their highly anticipated semi-final showdown at Belo Horizonte tonight.
Captain Silva will also be absent from the side owing to suspension.