Brazil's head coach Tite left and player Danilo attend a press conference on the eve of the World Cup quarterfinals between Brazil and Croatia in Doha, Qatar on December 8, 2022. ANDRE PENNER AP DOHA -- Brazil must be at their best in order to beat Croatia when the teams meet in their quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup on Friday, according to defender Danilo.
The five-time champions are firm favorites entering the Education City stadium, according to the right-back.
Croatia was the finalist in the World Cup and they have an experienced base of good players with a lot of temperament and ambitions to win. There is only one way to beat them, and that is to reach our best possible version. READ MORE: Croatia is hungry for more World Cup glory.
Danilo said he was hopeful that Juventus teammate Alex Sandro, who suffered a hip problem in Brazil's second Group G game against Switzerland, would recover in time for Friday's game.
Danilo said he could stand in the left-back in the event that Sandro is ruled out.
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The 31-year-old, who returned for Brazil's 4 -- 1 win over South Korea in the round of 16 after missing the previous two games with an ankle injury, said he can play on the left or right, a little further forward or a little behind.
Brazil's Danilo right takes a shot next to South Korea's Hwang Hee-chan left during the World Cup round 16 soccer match between Brazil and South Korea, at the Stadium 974 in Doha, Qatar on December 5, 2022. MARTIN MEISSNER AP I have played different positions under different schemes at Manchester City and Juventus. The coach tries to get the best out of us and looks for that versatility in each of us.