SAINT PETERSBURG, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Brazil are still traumatized by their humiliating 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semifinals of the 2014 World Cup on home soil, according to former Netherlands great Clarence Seedorf.
The five-time world champions have begun their quest for redemption in football's flagship tournament with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland and a 2-0 defeat of Costa Rica.
But the Selecao are yet to hit top gear in Russia and need to beat Serbia on Wednesday to progress to the knockout stage without depending on other results.
"The criticism [in 2014] was really strong and years later the criticism continues," Seedorf told Brazil's SporTV. "Losing 7-1 to Germany was just one match. It happens. I think that they have really struggled with that. The [bad] sensation remains inside.
"Players are remembering the last World Cup. The experience of the last World Cup was so negative that there is still some trauma."
Seedorf also commented on Neymar, who wept on the Saint Petersburg Stadium pitch after scoring a 97th-minute goal against Costa Rica.
The former Ajax, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan midfielder believes Neymar's reaction was not just related to the foot injury that sidelined him for three months before the tournament.
"For me, this is not just because of the last three months," Seedorf said. "For the last four years everybody [in Brazil] has been waiting for this World Cup and for Brazil to win it. I think Neymar has kept things inside that not even he knew about. Crying will have done him good."
