Brazil´s new breed ready for France

Brazil’s Thiago Silva believes the friendly international against France on Wednesday is the perfect showcase for a young team.

Experienced internationals such as Maicon and Luis Fabiano have been left out by Brazil coach Mano Menezes, with the likes of Renato Augusto, Jadson and Andre in line to be given their chance at the Stade de France.

AC Milan’s Thiago Silva has made the centre-back berth his own ahead of Lucio under Menezes and has backed his young teammates to reward the coach’s faith.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to show our skills and our worth,” Silva said.

“This is the type of game that we like to play, with a capacity crowd, in a beautiful stadium.”

“They are a great team with great players and we hope that we can give our all to succeed as we didn’t do the last time (in November’s 1-0 loss to Argentina).”

“We live in the present and are doing well with the restructuring of our side and I think that tomorrow, if we concentrate well, we will be leaving with a good result.”

Barcelona fullback Dani Alves was a member of the Brazil squad that disappointed under Dunga at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but he has been retained for the rebuilding project orchestrated by Menezes.

“The past is the past,” Alves said.

“Brazil is starting a new chapter in the team’s history. The World Cup is over and we need to continue to give our all for the Brazilian team.”

And the former Sevilla man has dismissed concerns about the relative inexperience of the squad to take on France.

“I think football has no age,” he said.

“There isn’t that thing of young or not young. I think the team is very balanced and I think age would have no influence.”