Brazil zero in on Paraguay trying to find a cutting edge

Brazil face Paraguay in their Copa America Group D match in Las Vegas on Friday after a disappointing goalless draw against lowly Costa Rica in their opener left the five-times World Cup winners questioning how to sharpen their cutting edge.

A wasteful Brazil side dominated possession but were clueless on how to beat an ultra-defensive Costa Rica playing with a back five. They roamed around their opponent's box but were toothless, with just three of their 19 shots on target.

Paraguay, who lost 2-1 to Colombia in their first game, are expected to use a similar defensive game plan to Costa Rica.

That will pose another challenge for Brazil's 62-year-old manager Dorival Jr who will have to find answers on how his side can break deadlocks and be more precise in front of goal.

Attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta, one of Brazil's most active players against Costa Rica with five shots that missed the target and one that hit the post, believes their problem is more mental than tactical. He thinks Brazil need patience.

"We had lots and lots of chances, I had three in particular that I should have done better (with), we just needed to finish with a bit more composure," Paqueta told a press conference on Wednesday.

"It's clear that finishing from outside the area against teams who close down and defend deep is something that we can improve, but we are still very confident that we will."

NO EXCUSES

Missing talisman Neymar, who is still recovering from a serious knee injury, there was a general impression that Dorival was ready to hand rising star Vinicius Jr a key role after the winger's brilliant season with Real Madrid.

But the 23-year-old was a shadow of the electric winger who helped Real win a Champions League/LaLiga double and he was