Brazil Starters Against Croatia

There are two sites announcing Brazil’s starting eleven for the Croatia game in Berlin. I think they are jumping to conclusions. Eurosport and Fifa are basing their stories on Tuesday’s debate where Parreira, Zagallo and Americo Faria spoke to the press and public. I was there and one thing Parreira said over and over again was that he was not going to reveal the names until May 15. Reuters news agency decided to spread the word anyway, just because Parreira said that the team’s basic structure will be very similar to the qualifying squad.

The team Reuters is convinced will play against Croatia is this: Dida in goal, Cafu, Juan, Lucio and Roberto Carlos at defense, Emerson and Ze Roberto as back midfielders, plus the ‘magic quartet’ Kaka, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Adriano. But this is just a simplification of what Parreira said at the conference.

The truth is that he was asked about the quintet, if he would dare to use Robinho along with the ‘magic quartet’. He answered that “the quartet is already a bold choice. It worked at the end of the qualifying stage and at the Confederations Cup, but we must adapt the team to each situation. The quintet would unbalance the team, but nothing is impossible”.

When people insisted on asking about other valuable players’ chances he tried to close the matter stating that there was little room for changes. “The team is basically the same that ended the qualifying tournament”. I don’t think that’s the same as pointing out the starters for the first game of the World Cup. The 23 group is not decided yet! There will be a couple of training (friendly) matches at Switzerland before the first game in Germany, so anything can change.

Reuters should spread the fact alone: Parreira said that the team will be basically the same that ended the qualifying stage. Just that. I rather wait my birthday (May 15) to know the 23 names before I start guessing the 11 starters against Croatia.