Neymar credits Scolari for development

Posted Sunday, September 08, 2013 by Goal.com

Ahead of the Australia friendly on Saturday, the Barcelona star says the defensive side of his game has been bettered by the Brazil coach

Neymar has credited Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari for improving the defensive side of the Barcelona forward's game.

The 21-year-old was a crucial cog in the Selecao's Confederations Cup win this summer, in which they defeated the likes of Italy, Uruguay and Spain to be crowned champions on home turf.

Ahead of the team's friendly with Australia on Saturday, the ex-Santos star thanked Felipao for bettering his motivation to win back the ball and said it has helped

"With Brazil, since Luiz Felipe Scolari returned, I come back to cover the full-back and one of Barca's characteristics is how we press when we lose the ball," he told reporters.

"This is something that he has helped make part of my game."

Brazil head into the clash at home to Australia, which kicks off at 21:15CET, on the back of a surprise defeat at Switzerland in their first game since lifting the Confederations Cup.

Neymar is expected to feature alongside the likes of Thiago Silva and David Luiz, though Dani Alves and Hulk have been ruled out with injury.

Both teams have already secured spots in the 2014 World Cup - Brazil as hosts and the Socceroos via qualification in the Asian region.