FRANCE 98 – Brazil – Leonardo: “I am very happy to be back to play in Paris”

DUNGA (8)

“Everything is squared away on the team. Though each of us may have a differing opinion, there are no problems. It is very important than everyone be able to fully express himself to achieve a common objective.”

EDMUNDO (21)

“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity and since my last match I’ve been working like a dog to make a contribution on the pitch. Today I’ve been given my chance and I won’t waste it.”

DENILSON (19)

“I’m barely twenty, so you can imagine what an incredible experience this is for me. I didn’t even think that I would make the team, and here I am, the twelfth man. During the match against NORWAY, I tried some new things that may have detracted from our team’s play. But for an match as important as the one Saturday, I will obviously not try anything that will jeopardise the team’s play as a whole. Everything changes on Saturday: play will be tougher, the stakes will be higher, it’s is a whole new world. I think that the World Cup really starts with this match, and it has to be ours. Now we have to show what BRAZIL is really made of.”

JUNIOR BAIANO (4)

“Saturday’s match will be different from all the others, with a different pace, higher stakes and much more pressure. I’m sorry to have been the one to get the foul that gave NORWAY a penalty shot. But Saturday I’ll be there to do what I haven’t been doing up till now.”

CESAR SAMPAIO (5)

“BRAZIL’s loss to NORWAY had nothing to do with my not playing. But Saturday I hope I can contribute physically to the team effort. From now on, any weakness will be fatal. We’re going to try to beat CHILE during the ninety minutes of regulation play.”

ALDAIR (3)

“I’m back and mentally ready to play. Even if BRAZIL does not play exceptionally well, our team is capable of beating any team in the World Cup. CHILE plays very well, but BRAZIL cannot lose Saturday.”

ROBERTO CARLOS (6)

“We know this Chilean team well, perhaps a little too well. They are definitely going to play a wide-open game, and I’ll admit that their two forwards are going to be a challenge. Set pieces could make the difference in a match like this one, and I’ve been practising them for three days with that in mind.”

LEONARDO (18)

“I am very happy to be back to play in PARIS. I have lots of good memories of the Parc des Princes. It’s like playing in my own back yard. Our loss to NORWAY didn’t rattle us. The “Seleção” plays a good game and should beat CHILE on Saturday. Not a moment goes by that we don’t think of our next match. It’s not going to be easy, because CHILE is tactically sound.”

CAFU (2)

“The Brazilian team is ready for the round of sixteen, and a victory will only make us gel as a team. We’ve been through some bad patches, but every team has its problems.”