The Liverpool attacking midfielder believes that the Selecao have put their World Cup anguish firmly behind them after victories over Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina and Japan
Philippe Coutinho says Brazil have got their self-belief back thanks to a four-game winning streak under new coach Dunga.
The Selecao were left in a state of shock following their devastating 7-1 loss to Germany in the semi-finals of World Cup 2014 – a defeat which eventually prompted the departure of former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari after they were also beaten in the third-place play-off by Netherlands.
However, Brazil have looked reinvigorated since the return of Dunga for a second stint with the Selecao, winning all four of their games to date under the 51-year-old, who previously led the national team between 2006 and 2010.
Coutinho was not included in the World Cup squad, but he says that there has been an improvement in the atmosphere in the dressing room since the players first got together after the trauma of the summer and revealed that they are all now looking forward to next year’s Copa America with renewed optimism.
“The wins, and the fact that the team is playing well, gives us self-belief,” the Liverpool attacker is quoted as saying by Globoesporte.com.
“The players feel confident. It helps to have a good mood in the squad.
“Everyone has to be focused in order to keep this winning streak going until the tournament.”
Coutinho faces fierce competition for a place in Dunga’s starting line-up but he says that he is determined to make the most of every single second he spends with the Selecao – whether he plays or not.
“I see being here as a great opportunity,” the 22-year-old explained.
“We have to give everything in order to grow in our careers and it’s important to learn from everyone. So, I just want to keep working hard.”
Coutinho will be hoping to prove his worth to Dunga this month, having been called upon for the Gillette Brasil Global Tour clashes with Turkey and Austria on November 12 and 18, respectively.