Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino believes his side need to win their final group fixture against Venezuela to progress into the knockout stages of the Copa America.
The sides occupy the top two positions in Group B after both earned draws with much-fancied Brazil, with Paraguay only a minute away from recording a famous victory over the five-time World Cup winners in a 2-2 draw on Saturday.
With Brazil under huge pressure to turn around their poor form, Martino fears the threat of the wounded Selecao and insists only a victory will do in his side's final game to be sure of a place in the next round.
Martino could call upon the same side that secured a 2-2 draw against Brazil on Saturday. The only change will be in the dugout, where Martino was handed a touchline ban for his arguments with officials following Fred's 90th minute equaliser for the Selecao.
With Brazil under huge pressure to turn around their poor form, Martino fears the threat of the wounded Selecao and insists only a victory will do in his side's final game to be sure of a place in the next round.
"It is clear that the only alternative that remains is to win the match,'' he said.
"In five minutes [against Brazil] our position changed.
"To be in the next stage, we need to win.''
The 48-year-old is refusing to dwell on what might have been, with the heartbreaking draw with Brazil coming on the heels a goalless stalemate with Ecuador in a match that Paraguay dominated.
"I am resigned to what we have done,'' said Martino.
"I think we are playing better now than we did in the World Cup"
"It's hard to believe that at the end of tomorrow's game we may be going home.''
La Vinotinto are the surprise leaders of Group B and could well secure their passage into the last eight if they defeat Paraguay or other results go their way. Oswaldo Vizcarrondo has previously stated that his side are not feeling the pressure and they know that only a win will definitely guarantee their place in the quarter-finals. Cesar Farias looks set to call upon largely the same side that have performed impressively over the first two games.
Venezuela defender Oswaldo Vizcarrondo has revealed his team is not feeling the pressure of being surprise group leaders heading into the match.
Cesar Farias' men find themselves top of the pile after kicking off the campaign with a 0-0 draw against Brazil and a 1-0 victory over Ecuador.
"We are taking it naturally,'' said Vizcarrondo.
"We have had the proper training and we are showing the results of our hard work.
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