Brazil Will NOT Be Ready

So we are watching Brazil training in Switzerland. To me it was very surprising to turn on the TV and be able to watch the entire practice session. Not only that, but we can see the press conference too. Carlos Alberto Parreira said that Brazil will not be 100% against Croatia.

I open my hands to drop the hair I just pulled out of my head on the floor before I tell you what amazes me most: Parreira’s eyes are as cool as a winter breeze. “As cold as the Man on the Moon” as Sting would sing. “We won’t be at an ideal level. But that’s normal. It’s impossible to begin the competition in perfect form. We have to remember the national team hasn’t played since last October, in eight months. We can’t make miracles.” Was that necessary? To rip hair out of my head like that?

This got me wondering if any other team will be completely ready at the early days of the competition. I know there are many players recovering from injuries or just tired after the European season. I was reading about the Australian friendly game, for an example, and it seems that the team had some meaningful absences. Why??? With the competition so close, why isn’t the team already together training? Is this going on with other teams too?

Maybe Brazil won’t be at its full potential for the first stage, but at least our team is already focused. The Brazilian fitness department is ruling different workouts for each player, depending on their needs. Ronaldo is working out like crazy. He said his muscles are all sore, but he will keep up working to reach his goal (trophy).

Not only you and I are enjoying watching the Seleção’s training sessions, but the whole media and some fanatic Swiss fans are keeping both eyes on that Weggis field. Many reports are being generated from these training sessions as you can see by the links I listed below.

Here in Brazil we call the World Cup ‘Copa do Mundo’. If you are going to Germany I suggest you go look for the ‘Copa da Cultura’ (Culture Cup) in Berlin. There you will find out many interesting things about the Brazilian culture including literature, music, cinema, theatre and design. Gilberto Gil, our Culture Minister, performed today. This guy is a genius! But in the music affair you must look for Chico Buarque. I know he will perform, just don’t know when. Anyway, go there to feel the samba power, go learn what goes on in our players’ hearts when they are dribbling your team’s defense.

Link 1: They train separately.

Link 2: Fans get creative to see Brazil.

Link 3: Adriano is feeling fine.

Link 4: We won’t be ready.