Barcola: Paraguay defends a lot and its qualification against Germany is no accident

French winger Bradley Barcola has cautioned his team about the defensive strength of their upcoming World Cup Round of 16 opponent, Paraguay. He emphasized that Paraguay's ability to eliminate Germany was not a fluke and highlighted their strong defensive organization.

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We know it's a team that defends a lot. But it remains a good team with the ball. We saw it against Germany: they managed to win, they had very good preparation and managed to qualify. It's no coincidence, so we know it will also be a good football match.

"We know it's a team that defends a lot. But it remains a good team with the ball. We saw it against Germany: they managed to win, they had very good preparation and managed to qualify. It's no coincidence, so we know it will also be a good football match," Barcola stated in a press conference in Boston.

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It's going to be complicated to face a closed defense.

Barcola anticipates a challenging game due to Paraguay's defensive tactics. "It's going to be complicated" to face such a packed defense, he admitted. Drawing from his experience in France's Ligue 1, where teams often adopt a defensive posture, he plans to "try to find alternatives, come deeper to receive the ball, restart, and then it will go well."

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I try to find alternatives, come deeper to receive the ball, restart, and then it will go well.

Looking ahead to the match, Barcola also commented on the anticipated high temperatures. "I think it will tire us out a bit more, that's for sure, but we are already starting to get used to the heat here. We hydrate a lot to be ready for training and matches, so I think it will be a bit annoying, but not much more than that," he said.

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I think it will tire us out a bit more, that's for sure, but we are already starting to get used to the heat here. We hydrate a lot to be ready for training and matches, so I think it will be a bit annoying, but not much more than that.