Brazil coach Tite hit out at the “absurd” Gremio Arena pitch after his side beat 10-man Paraguay on penalties to reach the semi-finals of the Copa America.
The hosts failed to break down a determined Paraguay side, who had Fabian Balbuena sent off just before the hour mark following a Video Assistant Referee review into the West Ham defender’s clumsy challenge on Roberto Firmino.
Brazil, though, were unable to make a breakthrough, as with 15 minutes left, Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus missed from close range and Willian later struck the woodwork as the match ended goalless.
While the end result was the one the expectant home crowd had wanted, Brazil coach Tite was still left less than impressed by the quality of the playing surface which he felt had hampered his side’s approach.
“All the team asked me to complain about it. It’s absurd at such a high-level match to have a ground on which it is so hard to pass the ball,” Tite told a press conference.
“We needed three touches to pass the ball forward. It’s absurd to have such bad quality.
“It’s inconceivable anywhere in the world to have such a bad ground.”
“For me it was special for being in my city, I felt the affection of all the fans,” he said, quoted on the Brazilian Football Confederation website.
“My team-mates also did their part, which was the most important.
“Today’s result was a draw, but we were against a team which did not want to play.
“Now we must continue working because one step has already gone and we have another ahead, to achieve our main objective, which is to be champion.”
Paraguay coach Eduardo Berizzo felt his team – who edged into the quarter-finals as one of the best-placed third sides having drawn with Argentina in their Group B match – had acquitted themselves well.
“I’m very proud of our performance,” he said at a press conference.
“We could have been granted a heroic victory on penalties, but that doesn’t take away from how pleased I am with my players.
“We must continue working to transform ourselves into a tough and dangerous team.”
