After Brazil forward Neymar wept openly following his side’s 2-0 World Cup victory over Costa Rica, the Brazilian media called it a sign of emotional fragility. But Brazil manager Adenor Leonardo Bacchi, more commonly known as Tite, defended his star forward, calling it not a sign of weakness but one of pride.

“We mustn’t think that a moment of emotion is a sign of emotional imbalance,. I understand that there has to be a balance between reason and emotion, and there is a moment when you need ice, calm and lucidity,” Tite told reporters, via ESPN, adding that he was moved to tears himself after the game. “I want to tell the whole Brazilian nation that I cried, When I called my wife, I cried with happiness, with satisfaction, because my characteristic is to be emotional. I cried with pride, as we were under so much pressure to play a good game.”

Next up for the team nicknamed the Samba Boys is their last Group E match with Serbia, where Brazil need a draw to qualify for the round of 16 knockout stage. Vying for its sixth World Cup title, Brazil opened the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland, with Neymar and Philippe Coutinho providing the goals in the victory over Costa Rica.