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| June 25, 2005 | Saturday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 17, 1426 |
Klinsmann dismisses talk of tired Brazil
HERZOGENAURACH (Germany), June 24: Brazil will be even more dangerous against Germany in Saturday’s Confederations Cup semifinal due to criticism at home over their disappointing recent form, coach Juergen Klinsmann said on Friday.
Klinsmann dismissed suggestions that Brazil, with a day less rest after their tense 2-2 draw against Japan on Wednesday, would be at a disadvantage for the rematch of the 2002 World Cup final, which Brazil won 2-0.
“All this talk about ‘a tired Brazil’ is really starting to bother me,” Klinsmann said after his team’s training session in the small town of Herzogenaurach near Nuremberg.
“They are not tired. They are more likely to be angry and a bit more dangerous for us. They are taking note of the criticism they’ve been getting back home and it’s not good for us. It would be better for us if they were being praised in Brazil.”
Germany topped their group with two wins — against Australia and Tunisia — and a 2-2 draw with Argentina while the world champions were upset by Mexico 1-0 before their draw against Japan.
Brazil scraped into the semifinal in front of Japan on goal difference thanks to their 3-0 win over Greece. Earlier in June they lost a World Cup qualifier to Argentina having also lost a qualifier to Ecuador last November.
Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who has faced criticism at home for being lax with his player, complained that some of them were exhausted going into Saturday’s match.
“Brazil are going to be so incredibly motivated against us,” Klinsmann said. “If they beat us they will at least be able to see some light at the end of the tunnel. We are not going to even let this ‘tired Brazil’ stuff near us. They are not tired at all.”
Klinsmann said the fact that Germany, who played Argentina on Tuesday, had an extra day of rest would not play any role. He said the only advantage Germany have would be that they are playing before a home crowd.
“These are all top professionals,” he said. “They are used to playing every third or fourth day. I don’t think the Brazilians will be fretting about us having an extra day to recover once the match begins. They will be electrified when it starts and not be thinking about that at all.”
Klinsmann said he was pleased German crowds were now becoming more supportive of his young team than they were earlier in the tournament, when criticism rained down on his defenders as soon as they made a mistake.
“Our advantage is the crowd behind us,” said Klinsmann, 40, who was on the pitch the last time Germany beat Brazil in 1993.
“The players have the sense now that even if they make a mistake the crowd will stick with them. That’s our advantage.”
In the 19 matches between the two dating back to 1963, Brazil have won 11 times, lost three and drawn five.
“We know they can shift up a gear or two at any moment and we will have to play at the top of our game,” he said.
“Everything has to fit into place to beat a team like this with so many good players. It’s going to be incredibly difficult but we are all looking forward to the challenge.”—AFP
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