Italy are through to Confederation Cup semi-final despite losing to Brazil




Highlights


All Goals


Brazil's football stars have expressed their solidarity for the protesters who have taken to the streets.

They also said they hoped the demonstrators would avoid any further violence.

SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) Neymar, Brazil:
"The only power that I have is playing football and I turn the people support to me again and I feel happy with the support of everybody. This match I was well supported and I expect to continue playing like this and keep receiving this kind of demonstration."

SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) Fred, Brazil:
"I scored goals and I left the pitch with the feeling that my work was well done and all of this was because of the support of our coach, Felipe Scolari, the medical staff, the players, all the crew but most of all from the supporters who were there for us all the time."

SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) Marcelo, Brazil:
"I'm side by side with the people protesting, of course, but without vandalism. Seeking always a better Brazil for all."

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Dani, Brazil:
I've already spoke about the protests in Brazil. We are the people but in here we represent an institution and that means we follow certain rules. But if we where outside, each of us would express their own opinion. If we weren't here we certainly would be out there demonstrating."

SOUNDBITE: (Italian) Gianluigi Buffon, Italy:
"You know, once we probably would have a good result! But is also true that Spain have the world's strongest squad and therefore will be tough for us. We'll see and we will fight until the last breath."

SOUNDBITE: (Italian) Mattia De Scigli, Italy:
"This evening the important thing was the team performance. During the first half we suffered a bit. We couldn't develop our game and we were squeezed in the middle of the pitch. During the second half we were able to play better and put them in difficulties so we proved that we were capable of playing in the semifinals."

SOUNDBITE: (Italian) Enrico Castellacci, Italy Team Doctor: (about possible injury to Pirlo)
"We are working on Pirlo's recovery. Our hope is, as we mentioned before, to reach our expectations because we are running out of players and we need a strong personality like him."