Paulinho in charge of the hard work for Brazil

GOIANIA, Brazil (AP) — Defensive midfielder Paulinho will have a tough job when Brazil begins playing the Confederations Cup.

Paulinho has a key role in Brazil's squad in the World Cup warm-up tournament: Protecting the defense and giving freedom to the team's talented strikers.

The Corinthians midfielder, touted to make the move to Europe in the next transfer window, has been one of the regular starters since Luiz Felipe Scolari returned to the command of the "Selecao" in December.

He knows Scolari wants him in charge of defense first, although he also has the freedom to show up on attack whenever possible. He has already scored three goals for the national team.

But his main focus is on keeping Brazil with a clean sheet and giving his teammates the freedom to attack.

"It's extremely important not to concede goals," Paulinho said Tuesday. "If you defend well and don't allow any goals, obviously you are very close to winning the matches. We have very talented players in the attack and we know that if we don't concede goals they can decide up front."

The 24-year-old Paulinho was one of Corinthians' key players last year when the Brazilian team won the Copa Libertadores and FIFA's Club World Cup. Corinthians said it has already rejected some offers for the midfielder, but he is expected to join a top European club when the transfer window opens in July. Brazilian media has reported that Inter Milan has been the main club trying to sign him.

Paulinho has been known for his surprise appearances in attack and for scoring many goals for Corinthians despite playing as a defensive midfielder. He has been criticized for not doing the same with Brazil, but said that Scolari has been giving him the same freedom that he enjops at club level.

"Felipao asks me to do what I have been doing with Corinthians," Paulinho said. "I try to keep it simple, that's how I got to the national team. I have been having the opportunities to score and I hope that it stays like this. But if I have to stay on defense I'll do it, there's nothing wrong with that."

At the national team, he has been playing alongside Bayern Munich midfielder Luiz Gustavo, but there have been calls for Scolari to add more offensive midfielder Hernanes to the squad, giving the team more attacking power.

Paulinho said he wouldn't mind playing with Hernanes even though he would have to stay on defense more often because Hernanes attacks more.

"We have been talking a lot about when to stay back and when to move forward," Paulinho said. "I'm responsible for protecting the defense when other players move up, but when there is a chance I know that I can show up in the attack too."

Brazil will practice again at its base in Goiania on Tuesday. It will travel to Brasilia on Wednesday, three days before the Confederations Cup opener against Japan.

Defender Filipe Luis was absent from the squad on Tuesday because he traveled to Spain to be with his wife for the birth of their child.