Brazil – R. Carlos: “The strengths of Brazil are our lateral speed as well as our attack”
Brazil – R. Carlos: “The strengths of Brazil are our lateral speed as well as our attack” 06.07.98 22h11 CET Comments made at the Stade Bon Rencontre in Toulon
Dunga (8), (Captain):
“BRAZIL has its own characteristics with a very technical game. The team is now becoming increasingly compact. The NETHERLANDS play very well and are very good at marking. BRAZIL shouldn’t relax as they did with DENMARK. The team should be well organised, play good football and continue to work on scoring in order to make it to the Final. The replacement of CAFU(2) by ZE CARLOS (13) shouldn’t create a problem. He’s ready to play.
People should stop saying that the matches are getting harder for BRAZIL. The media, whether they be television, radio or internet, are constantly praising our opponents, but we should be capable of dominating them.”
BEBETO (20):
“In the NETHERLANDS team, I appreciate the way Dennis BERGKAMP (8) plays. As usual, BRAZIL will be attacking without asking ourselves too many questions. We’ve been analysing the NETHERLANDS game on video cassettes.
Tomorrow will be my son’s birthday, which I celebrated in a fitting way four years ago by playing against this same NETHERLANDS team in the quarter finals of the World Cup in the USA. What’s important is for BRAZIL to be World Champions for the fifth time… not to be the best striker. Despite my experience, I always have some apprehension before a match. We’ll have to show a lot of determination and concentrate at every moment.”
César SAMPAIO (5)
“Against The NETHERLANDS, we won’t be using any one particular tactic. We’ll be taking advantage of any opportunities that arise and will be extremely precise with our play. We’ll have to be attentive and apply ourselves to the task right from the start of the match. I’ve battled and persevered to be able to get this far. I think there’s only one thing we can do: give 100% of ourselves.
With our four world titles, BRAZIL should win to remain the leaders and show they have the best football in the world.”
CAFU (2)
“I’m extremely disappointed not to be playing. It’s a pity. I’ll be encouraging my team-mates and will be praying for the team. Of course, it’s a very important match.
I’ve tried to give some advice to my substitute, ZE CARLOS (13) concerning the marking of players. He’ll do the best he can, and I’m confident he’ll play well.”
TAFFAREL (1)
“For me, the most important thing is to win; not to beat the record for selections. Following this match, we’ll have a more global vision of the competition. Playing the NETHERLANDS will not be the same as playing against DENMARK.”
LEONARDO (18)
“This season in Milan, it hasn’t always been easy. The team has changed players very often as well as its team spirit. For this World Cup, I am very motivated.”
Roberto CARLOS (6)
“FRANCE plays very well. They’ve shown their offensive qualities against ITALY … they created a lot of opportunities for goals, despite not being able to score.
CROATIA is the surprise of the championship. They’ve succeeded in dominating and beating GERMANY.
The NETHERLANDS had a very good match against ARGENTINA. They are a very strong team with a lot of good individual players. As the competition progresses, the NETHERLANDS team has been improving. This being said, I don’t think that before the match on Tuesday they will have progressed too much. BRAZIL is obliged to win.
With regard to the duel that will pit me against Dennis BERGKAMP (8), who will be playing on my side, that will depend on his physical condition and his coach’s instructions.
ARGENTINA didn’t play very well. It’s logical that they should go home.
The strengths of BRAZIL are our lateral speed as well as our attack with RONALDO (9).”
