Parreira’s Words 3rd Edition

In this part of the interview Parreira talks about health issues, euphoria of the fans during practice, if he is prepared for a soon departure of the competition, about religion, Japan and the Adriano’s situation. More and more I feel he is convinced that Brazil is on the right path for victory in the World Cup. Could it be otherwise? He is the conductor, working in its preparation, caring about every aspect of the team. If he trusts his professional capability he must be confident, right?

About health conditions: “We have at least 80% of the players competing in Europe and that, naturally, are directly affected by the European calendar that ends just one month before the World Cup. So our preoccupation is not with the intensification of the work, but with the recovery of the players so that they can be completely fit when the championship begins for us in July 13th. So our worries lie on recovery. We’ll do some physical evaluation tests, some medical exams, so that our physical coaches can have an idea on how the players are coming to the team and that will dictate the rhythm and intensity of our work. Some will work a little harder, some a little softer; the important thing is that we arrive in the World Cup in ideal conditions”.

About the euphoria of fans during the practices: “The players are already used to it. Here in Brazil we sometimes practice in front of 60 thousand people, we practiced in Hungry for almost 40 thousand people, the Seleção is an attraction wherever it goes. It wouldn’t be nice from us, but if necessary we’ll do it, to close the gates. It would not be nice and we don’t want to attract any negative feelings, as long as our work is not affected the presence of the public will be allowed”.

About him being prepared for a soon departure from the competition: “Here we only think about winning, my friend. Negative thinking is nowhere near us. It may happen, we can’t avoid that in football, but our thoughts are only forward, thinking in victory. Here nobody is prepared to lose. If I would say we are prepared to lose I would be lying. We are prepared to win”.

At this point he was a little angry again, using this ‘my friend’ in an ironic tone.

About dealing with the ‘Athletes of Christ’: “Look, with sexual, religious and political behaviors we don’t interfere, as long as they don’t mess with our work. They are very welcome; it is not the first time; since 1994 we deal with this kind of subject and it was a very smooth interaction without any problems. They know how to behave. If you ask me who they are I wouldn’t know because they are so discrete about it that it doesn’t bother me. They are very welcomed. They are the ‘gang of the kind’, all of them”.

It could not be any different. Here in Brazil we have so many religions mixed within our culture that no kind of distinction could ever be made. But I understand the French’s reporter question. Some players label themselves ‘Athletes of Christ’, as representing a good and kind God fearing family man, so maybe they would harass other players to join their group. As far as I know they never do that. Kaka and Cafu are the notorious participants of them. I don’t know any other too.

About Japan: “To judge from the work that is being done (by Zico), from previous experiences in past World Cup matches – it’ll be their fourth World Cup in a row, right? – with some players performing in European teams, the Japanese football improved a lot. It is a great force in Asian football and they won’t arrive in the competition with a naive attitude, on the contrary. Whoever is thinking it will be a ‘piece of cake’ can be surprised. So Japan can do a great job and I hope that Brazil and Japan can play the match already in a good position so that both teams can advance”.

About Adriano: “We measure the player by the key moments of life. When the need comes, some guys grow, some crumble, some are lost on the road… Adriano, at the time it was needed, at the big moment of the Seleção he was really very good. At Copa America, at the Confederations Cup… and there is another thing: when Adriano is with the Seleção he receives something that every human being needs, affection. He loves to play for the Brazilian team and he feels very well dealing with the other players. Without a doubt his mood is elevated and we trust he will do as well as he have been doing in the team lately”.

I agree that Adriano will play with joy. With his friends by his side he will left behind the sinister influence of Inter teammates.