Brandt: The pressure is on Brazil

Posted Friday, August 19, 2016 by foxsportsasia.com

Germany winger Julian Brandt claims the U23 side will thrive in the Olympic Football final as their opposition and hosts Brazil will be under more pressure.

Brandt, who is a senior international and a regular for club side Bayer Leverkusen, says the squad are drawing inspiration from Die Mannschaft's famous 7-1 victory in the semi-final of their 2014 World Cup.

The match will be played in the Maracana, the same venue where Brazil's humiliating defeat took place.

"It's a dream come true to play in such a traditional and well-known stadium," he told reporters. "Repeating the scenario of 2014 is also pushing the team forwards. The pressure is not really on us, the pressure is more on the home team."

The 20-year-old is brimming with confidence on the eve of the final, after scoring six goals in as many games at the end of last season, and he's followed up on that form with seven assists in the tournament thus far.

"In general, I think more about the team," he added. "It's not so important for me to score. I am proud of my assists though but now I'm looking forward to perhaps scoring a goal in the final. It would be the perfect time to get my first in the tournament."