FRANCE 98 – Brazil – C. Taffarel: “The conquest of our fifth World Cup title begins on Saturday”

Comments made on the 25 June following the BRAZIL (Group A) training session at the Stade d’Ozoir la Ferrière (south-east of PARIS).

DUNGA (8) team captain:

“In my opinion, BRAZIL is just as strong in this World Cup. Our team is staying very united and prepared to take on its responsibilities against CHILE (match No. 49 on 27 June, at the Parc des Princes in PARIS for the round of sixteen).”

RIVALDO (10):

“We know that we can no longer afford to make mistakes on Saturday against CHILE. Maybe we won’t field our strongest team, since in my view we still have a long way to go in the competition. After Saturday you will see a top flight BRAZIL team. However, CHILE are still dangerous and we do respect them. As for SPAIN, I am very disappointed about their elimination, since they were one of the competition favourites. I have many friends in that team and I feel sorry for them.” (RIVALDO plays for F.C. Barcelona)

ROBERTO CARLOS (6):

“This is the moment of truth. BRAZIL must show what they are made of. We are still thirty per cent short of being at our best. As for me, I feel that my game is improving, as well as my shooting.”

ALDAIR (3):

“We will not attempt to mark SALAS (11) or ZAMORANO (9) man-to-man since it is not something we are used to doing when playing for our country. There will be no surprises in our tactics against CHILE.”

TAFFAREL (1):

“We were not concentrating fully against NORWAY (match No. 35 played on 23 June at the Stade Vélodrome in MARSEILLE, in which BRAZIL lost by 2 goals to 1). BRAZIL had already qualified for the second round. The public and the media should not pay too much attention to the result of this match. Against CHILE, BRAZIL will recover its cool and control the game. The conquest of our fifth World Cup title will begin on Saturday…”

LEONARDO (18):

“I am really looking forward to playing at the Parc des Princes again. In a way, I am coming home, to play in my own back yard.” (LEONARDO played in the French premier league, during the 96-97 season, at PARIS Saint Germain, the club that plays at the Parc des Princes).