Brazil-Denmark – M. Zagallo: “Tonight was the hardest game”

“First of all, I phoned home to speak to my wife and kids to tell them what a tough game it was. It was a hard game as DENMARK were dignified opponents. We won 3-2, but DENMARK could have easily won 3-2 as well. It was a very difficult victory, a victory of power and will, by a team who knew how to win but had a dignified Danish team to overcome. The match was an example of two teams playing an open-minded game. It was a match that showed how football should be played in the World Cup. The BEBETO (20) / DENILSON (19) substitution was to counter the amount of space that DENMARK’s number 12 (COLDING) had. And RIVALDO (10) was substituted because of a slight muscle pain and a hint of cramp. There’ll be no holidays for BRAZIL before the next match, and to reserve energy there’ll be no training tomorrow – we’re going swimming instead. We’ll be training on Sunday – and, yes, that will be open to the press. Tonight was the hardest game, it was very tense and took a lot out of me. I’m very tired now – but very happy.”