Robinho: Okay if Brazil wins without flair

CENTURION, South Africa (AP) - Fans shouldn't expect Brazil to put on a show every time it takes the field, Robinho said Saturday.

"Brazil's main objective is to win," the Manchester City striker said on the eve of Brazil's decisive match against Italy at the Confederations Cup.

"Of course we want to play well, too," Robinho added. "Sometimes you can do both, but sometimes you have to play ugly to win. The priority is always to win."

Robinho, who scored his first goal of the tournament against the United States on Thursday, said it's natural the Brazilians are always facing pressure to display their usual flair, but that most times things get blown out of proportion when it comes to Brazil.

"It's complicated," he said. "When we play bad, it's not always as bad as people say. When we play well, it's also not always as well as they say, either. We may be going through a good moment right now, but if we lose (all changes)."

The 25-year-old Robinho was the first to acknowledge he struggled in Brazil's opening 4-3 win over Egypt on Monday, missing several passes and failing to threaten. But he recovered and was one of the team's top players in the 3-0 victory over the Americans.

The speedy and skillful Robinho is one of Brazil's most experienced players at this year's Confederations Cup. He is the only player in the squad who also was with the team in the 2007 Copa America, the 2006 World Cup and the 2005 Confederations Cup.

Defending champion Brazil needs a draw against Italy in Pretoria on Sunday to secure a spot in the semifinals of the eight-team competition in South Africa.