The ghosts of his stoic and at times arrogant selection blunders will surely come to haunt Carlos Dunga long after he has been delegated to what now seems a certain Brazilian coaching grave.
In a soccer-mad country where failure to win the World Cup is little short of a tragedy and invariably a non-negotiable commodity for any coach, Dunga went out on a limb when he inexplicably refused to include charismatic soccer genius Ronaldinho in his 2010 World Cup squad.
But almost as though fate took a hand in knocking the nails into Dunga’s coffin as Brazil slithered to a 2-1 defeat against Holland at Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday, it was Dunga’s controversially selected Felipe Melo that precipitated the jarring second-half decline of the five-time champions.
Although a talented player, Melo has experienced an alarming decline in form over the past 12 months so much that he has regularly been booed by supporters of Juventus, in Italy, where he is now based after a series of blunders not dissimilar to those he committed against The Netherlands.
In the first instance it was Melo’s header that deflected the Jabulani ball into the net past bemused goalkeeper Julio Cesar for The Netherlands’ second-half equaliser.
Then again it was the hapless Melo who was responsible for Brazil being reduced to 10 men in the 68th minute when he needlessly stomped all over Arjen Robben.
And Dunga’s world – or should that be World Cup – fell apart after he had also stuck by a combination he had pieced together 12 months earlier while stubbornly disregarding the loss of form of a number of other players apart from Melo.
He resorted to utilising three defensive midfielders following the injury to Elano and playing Dani Alves, one of the world’s leading full-backs, out-of-position in a role where his talents are largely negated.
And, apart from the non-selection of Ronaldinho, the implacable Dunga had also turned his back on brilliant AC Milan striker Pato and a host of dynamic, emerging young Brazilian stars.
That is how Dunga dug his own grave.
Original:
Showing posts with label Dunga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dunga. Show all posts
Monday, July 5, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Brazil’s Beautiful Game Now Has Tougher Edge
By whatever means the Dutch think they can knock Brazil out of the World Cup, getting physical would not be a good idea. This is a big Brazilian team, the tallest, strongest and most physical in memory.
Its defenders will be taller and clearly bigger man to man than their Dutch counterparts in Friday’s quarterfinal game in Port Elizabeth. And if Mark van Bommel has notions of roughing up Kaká the way he did little Leo Messi in the Champions League last year, he might consider two things: the referees in this World Cup have been consistently hard on that kind of play, and Kaká is one of eight Brazilian starters (and 13 on the 23-man roster) who stand above 6 feet.
Indeed, Kaká has already been forced to miss a game during this tournament for what might euphemistically be termed getting his retaliation in first. A man of silky skills, Kaká has added steel, as anyone playing under Coach Carlos Dunga must.
Dunga was tough as a player. As a coach, he is unequivocal: stand up and fight for the right to play or he will select someone who will.
Brazil’s muscle has been growing for more than 40 years. Some might ascribe this to Dunga, 46, but he is a mere disciple — an extreme one perhaps — of a toughening-up process that dates to 1966. It was then that Pelé, the greatest player of them all, was battered out of the World Cup in England. First the Bulgarians kicked him, then the Portuguese. The Brazilians never forgot that in the Portugal game it was a British referee, George McCabe, who allowed the rough play that hobbled Pelé and led to Brazil’s being eliminated in the group stage.
Long before Dunga was a player, Brazil dispatched trainers and coaches to study physical preparation at the German sports institute in Leipzig. The Beautiful Game that fans know and love — and hope for from Brazil from time to time — gives way to emulating Europeans, sacrificing flair for method.
Dunga was the anchor of perhaps the most structured Brazilian team to be world champion, in 1994. He watched Brazil win the trophy again in 2002, but lose in the quarterfinals in Germany four years later.
That was when he came in as coach. His work is evident in the way Brazil performs now, a style that is so athletic that many former Brazilian players are Dunga’s foremost critics. The former star Socrates has called the new Brazil “an affront to our culture.”
Socrates was a tall, thin midfielder who appeared to walk on stilts when he played in the 1980s. He was elegant and languid in his movements, but his type would never get near the Brazil of Dunga.
It is not simply a question of height. The members of Dunga’s team — with the exception of the recently repatriated winger Robinho and the reserve defender Gilberto Melo — play for clubs in the rugged leagues of Europe. Goalkeeper Júlio César, right back Maicon and central defender Lúcio, the team’s captain, helped Inter Milan win the Italian League, the Italian Cup and the Champions League in May.
César, playing at this World Cup in a back brace to protect a recent injury, is game-tested and among the few first-rate goalkeepers Brazil has produced. Boys in Brazil prefer to play offense. Even some defenders, like Lúcio and Maicon, love nothing better than to stride out of their defensive positions and counterattack.
Dunga does not deny them the right, provided they observe the safety-first ethic of his game plan. This, moreover, must be the first Brazil seleção, the national team, that strives to win matches on set plays like corner kicks rather than simply off the flow of the game.
Read more:
Its defenders will be taller and clearly bigger man to man than their Dutch counterparts in Friday’s quarterfinal game in Port Elizabeth. And if Mark van Bommel has notions of roughing up Kaká the way he did little Leo Messi in the Champions League last year, he might consider two things: the referees in this World Cup have been consistently hard on that kind of play, and Kaká is one of eight Brazilian starters (and 13 on the 23-man roster) who stand above 6 feet.
Indeed, Kaká has already been forced to miss a game during this tournament for what might euphemistically be termed getting his retaliation in first. A man of silky skills, Kaká has added steel, as anyone playing under Coach Carlos Dunga must.
Dunga was tough as a player. As a coach, he is unequivocal: stand up and fight for the right to play or he will select someone who will.
Brazil’s muscle has been growing for more than 40 years. Some might ascribe this to Dunga, 46, but he is a mere disciple — an extreme one perhaps — of a toughening-up process that dates to 1966. It was then that Pelé, the greatest player of them all, was battered out of the World Cup in England. First the Bulgarians kicked him, then the Portuguese. The Brazilians never forgot that in the Portugal game it was a British referee, George McCabe, who allowed the rough play that hobbled Pelé and led to Brazil’s being eliminated in the group stage.
Long before Dunga was a player, Brazil dispatched trainers and coaches to study physical preparation at the German sports institute in Leipzig. The Beautiful Game that fans know and love — and hope for from Brazil from time to time — gives way to emulating Europeans, sacrificing flair for method.
Dunga was the anchor of perhaps the most structured Brazilian team to be world champion, in 1994. He watched Brazil win the trophy again in 2002, but lose in the quarterfinals in Germany four years later.
That was when he came in as coach. His work is evident in the way Brazil performs now, a style that is so athletic that many former Brazilian players are Dunga’s foremost critics. The former star Socrates has called the new Brazil “an affront to our culture.”
Socrates was a tall, thin midfielder who appeared to walk on stilts when he played in the 1980s. He was elegant and languid in his movements, but his type would never get near the Brazil of Dunga.
It is not simply a question of height. The members of Dunga’s team — with the exception of the recently repatriated winger Robinho and the reserve defender Gilberto Melo — play for clubs in the rugged leagues of Europe. Goalkeeper Júlio César, right back Maicon and central defender Lúcio, the team’s captain, helped Inter Milan win the Italian League, the Italian Cup and the Champions League in May.
César, playing at this World Cup in a back brace to protect a recent injury, is game-tested and among the few first-rate goalkeepers Brazil has produced. Boys in Brazil prefer to play offense. Even some defenders, like Lúcio and Maicon, love nothing better than to stride out of their defensive positions and counterattack.
Dunga does not deny them the right, provided they observe the safety-first ethic of his game plan. This, moreover, must be the first Brazil seleção, the national team, that strives to win matches on set plays like corner kicks rather than simply off the flow of the game.
Read more:
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Brazil 3, Chile 0
Rhythmic or Ruthless, Beauty Is in Eye of Brazil
Let others complain about a lack of beauty. Dunga, Brazil’s coach, is concerned only about winning. The World Cup is, after all, a soccer tournament. The goal is to put another trophy in the case, not to hang a picture on the wall.
With its usual pragmatic reliance on set pieces and rampaging counterattacks, Brazil routed Chile, 3-0, on Monday night at Ellis Park. Seeking a sixth World Cup title, it advanced to the quarterfinals, where it will face the Netherlands on Friday.
If Brazil no longer plays samba soccer, sometimes seeming disjointed and desultory in attack, it remains formidable with an athletic and remorseless defense and enough moments of individual brilliance to summon the beautiful game and to lament its absence.
Monday’s victory was Brazil’s most impressive of its three so far. It featured glimpses of ostentation and fluidity that recalled a more elegant past. But mostly the match was one of dogged hustle and incessant running to intercept Chile’s florid attack, strip it and boomerang it in the opposite direction.
“We already said in these World Cup games, we have to go forward and play open football,” Dunga said. “That’s what everybody wants to see.”
In the 35th minute, Maicon’s corner kick found center back Juan, who was challenged only by other teammates seeking to score, not by any Chilean defenders. Juan headed the ball sharply from 10 yards, and Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo raised his right hand too late as Brazil went ahead, 1-0.
Three minutes later, Brazil scored on a quick counterattack. Maicon whipped a long pass to midfield, and Kaká headed the ball to Robinho, who was streaming down the left flank. Robinho crossed back to Kaká, who slid the ball perfectly forward to Luís Fabiano in the penalty area.
Chile’s offside trap failed, and Luís Fabiano stepped around the charging Bravo and tapped the ball into an empty net, scoring his third goal in four games and giving Brazil a 2-0 lead.
Kaká no longer has the commanding presence that made him the world player of the year in 2007, but he is slowly building in this World Cup after an injury-thwarted season at Real Madrid. After sitting out the final group match with a suspension, Kaká returned with graceful passing to fuel Brazil’s potent counterattacks.
He does, however, have to remain careful after drawing his third yellow card in four matches.
“Yes, it is a problem,” an irritated Dunga said. “Technical players are punished, and those who always commit fouls aren’t. This is lamentable.”
Brazil’s final goal came in the 59th minute, when midfielder Ramires stole a pass at midfield, dribbled through acres of open space and passed at the top of the penalty area to Robinho. His one-touch shot curled around Bravo and inside the right post, putting Brazil ahead, 3-0.
If Brazil is not always brilliant, it does possess remarkable depth and resourcefulness. Elano, who had two goals and an assist in group play, and Felipe Melo were absent from midfield with injury. They were hardly missed.
Ramires had played only 15 minutes in Brazil’s first three games, but he was ruthlessly efficient on Monday’s third goal. The other replacement midfielder was the kinetic Dani Alves, who happens to be the right back for Barcelona.
Before Monday’s game, Dunga defended his team’s style. This is becoming a daily occurrence, like shaving. Brazil’s World Cup titlists from 1958, 1962 and 1970 are remembered fondly because of the polishing of time and the enhancing of their artistry through edited video remnants, Dunga suggested.
“They just show the good parts,” Dunga said. “If we take the current Brazilian team and just show the best bits, fans will think it is a spectacular team. But today, they show as many negative moments as good ones.”
He continually reminds reporters that soccer today is different in terms of fitness and tactics and pressure. But he also concedes that it is human nature to think fondly of the past, knowing that his team also has the possibility to grow in affection with the passage of time.
“My grandfather always told my father football was better in his day, and my father told me the same,” Dunga said. “I tell my son it was better in my day, and my son will in turn tell his boy that football during his time was the most beautiful.”
For now, beauty can take a back seat to mercilessness.
Chile has developed a swarming attack under Coach Marcelo Bielsa, who is known as El Loco. It plays a style that sits on the razor’s edge between self-assuredness and self-immolation. On Monday, Chile experienced the same futility as it had against Spain, charging forward but leaving itself vulnerable to whiplash counterattacks.
Forward Humberto Suazo, who led South America with 10 goals during World Cup qualifying but played little over the last two months because of injuries, started and grew sharper as the game went on.
But neither he nor his teammates could do more than threaten. Chile has now lost eight consecutive times to Brazil, conceding 29 goals.
“The superiority of Brazil was too much for us,” Bielsa said. “We were unable to slow them down. They were quick to take advantage of every crack we had in our defense.”
Read Original
Let others complain about a lack of beauty. Dunga, Brazil’s coach, is concerned only about winning. The World Cup is, after all, a soccer tournament. The goal is to put another trophy in the case, not to hang a picture on the wall.
With its usual pragmatic reliance on set pieces and rampaging counterattacks, Brazil routed Chile, 3-0, on Monday night at Ellis Park. Seeking a sixth World Cup title, it advanced to the quarterfinals, where it will face the Netherlands on Friday.
If Brazil no longer plays samba soccer, sometimes seeming disjointed and desultory in attack, it remains formidable with an athletic and remorseless defense and enough moments of individual brilliance to summon the beautiful game and to lament its absence.
Monday’s victory was Brazil’s most impressive of its three so far. It featured glimpses of ostentation and fluidity that recalled a more elegant past. But mostly the match was one of dogged hustle and incessant running to intercept Chile’s florid attack, strip it and boomerang it in the opposite direction.
“We already said in these World Cup games, we have to go forward and play open football,” Dunga said. “That’s what everybody wants to see.”
In the 35th minute, Maicon’s corner kick found center back Juan, who was challenged only by other teammates seeking to score, not by any Chilean defenders. Juan headed the ball sharply from 10 yards, and Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo raised his right hand too late as Brazil went ahead, 1-0.
Three minutes later, Brazil scored on a quick counterattack. Maicon whipped a long pass to midfield, and Kaká headed the ball to Robinho, who was streaming down the left flank. Robinho crossed back to Kaká, who slid the ball perfectly forward to Luís Fabiano in the penalty area.
Chile’s offside trap failed, and Luís Fabiano stepped around the charging Bravo and tapped the ball into an empty net, scoring his third goal in four games and giving Brazil a 2-0 lead.
Kaká no longer has the commanding presence that made him the world player of the year in 2007, but he is slowly building in this World Cup after an injury-thwarted season at Real Madrid. After sitting out the final group match with a suspension, Kaká returned with graceful passing to fuel Brazil’s potent counterattacks.
He does, however, have to remain careful after drawing his third yellow card in four matches.
“Yes, it is a problem,” an irritated Dunga said. “Technical players are punished, and those who always commit fouls aren’t. This is lamentable.”
Brazil’s final goal came in the 59th minute, when midfielder Ramires stole a pass at midfield, dribbled through acres of open space and passed at the top of the penalty area to Robinho. His one-touch shot curled around Bravo and inside the right post, putting Brazil ahead, 3-0.
If Brazil is not always brilliant, it does possess remarkable depth and resourcefulness. Elano, who had two goals and an assist in group play, and Felipe Melo were absent from midfield with injury. They were hardly missed.
Ramires had played only 15 minutes in Brazil’s first three games, but he was ruthlessly efficient on Monday’s third goal. The other replacement midfielder was the kinetic Dani Alves, who happens to be the right back for Barcelona.
Before Monday’s game, Dunga defended his team’s style. This is becoming a daily occurrence, like shaving. Brazil’s World Cup titlists from 1958, 1962 and 1970 are remembered fondly because of the polishing of time and the enhancing of their artistry through edited video remnants, Dunga suggested.
“They just show the good parts,” Dunga said. “If we take the current Brazilian team and just show the best bits, fans will think it is a spectacular team. But today, they show as many negative moments as good ones.”
He continually reminds reporters that soccer today is different in terms of fitness and tactics and pressure. But he also concedes that it is human nature to think fondly of the past, knowing that his team also has the possibility to grow in affection with the passage of time.
“My grandfather always told my father football was better in his day, and my father told me the same,” Dunga said. “I tell my son it was better in my day, and my son will in turn tell his boy that football during his time was the most beautiful.”
For now, beauty can take a back seat to mercilessness.
Chile has developed a swarming attack under Coach Marcelo Bielsa, who is known as El Loco. It plays a style that sits on the razor’s edge between self-assuredness and self-immolation. On Monday, Chile experienced the same futility as it had against Spain, charging forward but leaving itself vulnerable to whiplash counterattacks.
Forward Humberto Suazo, who led South America with 10 goals during World Cup qualifying but played little over the last two months because of injuries, started and grew sharper as the game went on.
But neither he nor his teammates could do more than threaten. Chile has now lost eight consecutive times to Brazil, conceding 29 goals.
“The superiority of Brazil was too much for us,” Bielsa said. “We were unable to slow them down. They were quick to take advantage of every crack we had in our defense.”
Read Original
Monday, June 21, 2010
Mulling Kaka replacement
With progress to the FIFA World Cup™ last 16 already assured, Brazil's reserves have the chance to shine in their final group match against Portugal.
Monday was a rest day for the most part for the first eleven, as coach Dunga instead put the remainder of the squad through their paces in the knowledge that he now has two reasons to shuffle his pack and investigate his men's strength in depth. That is because wins over Korea DPR and Côte d'Ivoire have propelled Brazil through the opening phase but also because star midfielder Kaka has inadvertently done Dunga a favour.
By getting himself a red card against Côte d'Ivoire, the Real Madrid superstar will have to sit out the Portugal encounter come what may. His opening showing against the North Koreans in a fairly hard-fought 2-1 win was not quite what fans have come to expect of a former FIFA World Player of the Year and there had been indications that he would not necessarily keep his place with some players talking up the skills of the likes of Julio Baptista.
Kaka did improve against Côte d'Ivoire with a neat assist, but his sending off for pushing Abdelkader Keita means Dunga must shake things up anyway - though with six points in the bag, he can afford to do so. "We are not sure who will replace Kaka for the next game, we will think about it over the next few days," Dunga said.
Although Dunga - to the horror of some former players and many fans - has reined in the samba style in his four-year tenure, to date he has nonetheless been handsomely rewarded both in the CONMEBOL Copa America and the FIFA Confederations Cup here last year.
Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, currently in charge of Côte d'Ivoire, feels Brazil look like champions. "You need to be almost perfect to beat Brazil. In every way they are good, they are very good," opined Eriksson.
Read more:
Monday was a rest day for the most part for the first eleven, as coach Dunga instead put the remainder of the squad through their paces in the knowledge that he now has two reasons to shuffle his pack and investigate his men's strength in depth. That is because wins over Korea DPR and Côte d'Ivoire have propelled Brazil through the opening phase but also because star midfielder Kaka has inadvertently done Dunga a favour.
By getting himself a red card against Côte d'Ivoire, the Real Madrid superstar will have to sit out the Portugal encounter come what may. His opening showing against the North Koreans in a fairly hard-fought 2-1 win was not quite what fans have come to expect of a former FIFA World Player of the Year and there had been indications that he would not necessarily keep his place with some players talking up the skills of the likes of Julio Baptista.
Kaka did improve against Côte d'Ivoire with a neat assist, but his sending off for pushing Abdelkader Keita means Dunga must shake things up anyway - though with six points in the bag, he can afford to do so. "We are not sure who will replace Kaka for the next game, we will think about it over the next few days," Dunga said.
Although Dunga - to the horror of some former players and many fans - has reined in the samba style in his four-year tenure, to date he has nonetheless been handsomely rewarded both in the CONMEBOL Copa America and the FIFA Confederations Cup here last year.
Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, currently in charge of Côte d'Ivoire, feels Brazil look like champions. "You need to be almost perfect to beat Brazil. In every way they are good, they are very good," opined Eriksson.
Read more:
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Dunga expects better from Brazil
Brazil open their World Cup campaign with victory over North Korea
Brazil boss Dunga expects his team to improve considerably following their 2-1 win over North Korea in their opening Group G match in Johannesburg.
Second-half goals from Maicon and Elano gave Brazil a 2-0 lead before Ji Yun-nam's 88th-minute strike set up a nervous final few minutes.
"The start is the most difficult match, you have a long wait for this and the anxiety builds up," said Dunga.
"I'm not entirely happy but this is common in football."
The five-time world champions were frustrated by a resilient first-half defensive display by the unheralded North Koreans, 104 places below their opponents in Fifa's rankings.
Robinho posed a constant threat with the ball at his feet but, despite a number of promising attacking moves, Brazil could not penetrate North Korea's three central defenders until after the interval.
"When we come across a team that is also offensive it creates the necessary space but it is very difficult against some teams to develop a counter-attack," added Dunga.
"North Korea passed extremely well and defended extremely well but nevertheless Brazil were able to create a number of opportunities."
It took a moment of inspiration in the 50th minute from full-back Maicon to break the deadlock, firing a superb goal with the outside of his right boot from an acute angle to beat goalkeeper
"I thought of everything which I went through to get to this moment," reflected the Inter Milan defender.
"It was my first World Cup match, I didn't cry but I was very happy with the goal I scored.
"It is important to start with a victory and we did it. It was a good step toward our goal of being in the final on 11 July."
Maicon's goal at first seemed a touch fortuitous but Dunga insisted it was no fluke.
"We have training drills and I can tell you it's not the first goal that Maicon has scored in this fashion," stated Dunga.
"It's not so much an error by the goalkeeper but creativity on the part of Maicon. Yes, the goalkeeper could have stayed [on his line] but he anticipated that the ball was going to be crossed."
While Robinho impressed, Galatico Kaka was less influential and was replaced by Villarreal striker Nilmar in the 78th minute."
The Real Madrid star has been restricted by a series of injuries this season, although Dunga insisted his plan was to replace the midfielder during the second half.
"We had already anticipated that Kaka would be substituted - he wasn't going to play the full 90 minutes because he hasn't played a full game in five months," commented Dunga.
"We wanted to increase the rhythm and speed of our team so at 2-0 up we wanted to replace him."
Robinho is confident that the three points will allow his team to improve in their next two group matches against the Ivory Coast and Portugal.
"It wasn't our best match but at least we got the win, that's what matters now," he said.
Original Story:
Brazil boss Dunga expects his team to improve considerably following their 2-1 win over North Korea in their opening Group G match in Johannesburg.
Second-half goals from Maicon and Elano gave Brazil a 2-0 lead before Ji Yun-nam's 88th-minute strike set up a nervous final few minutes.
"The start is the most difficult match, you have a long wait for this and the anxiety builds up," said Dunga.
"I'm not entirely happy but this is common in football."
The five-time world champions were frustrated by a resilient first-half defensive display by the unheralded North Koreans, 104 places below their opponents in Fifa's rankings.
Robinho posed a constant threat with the ball at his feet but, despite a number of promising attacking moves, Brazil could not penetrate North Korea's three central defenders until after the interval.
"When we come across a team that is also offensive it creates the necessary space but it is very difficult against some teams to develop a counter-attack," added Dunga.
"North Korea passed extremely well and defended extremely well but nevertheless Brazil were able to create a number of opportunities."
It took a moment of inspiration in the 50th minute from full-back Maicon to break the deadlock, firing a superb goal with the outside of his right boot from an acute angle to beat goalkeeper
"I thought of everything which I went through to get to this moment," reflected the Inter Milan defender.
"It was my first World Cup match, I didn't cry but I was very happy with the goal I scored.
"It is important to start with a victory and we did it. It was a good step toward our goal of being in the final on 11 July."
Maicon's goal at first seemed a touch fortuitous but Dunga insisted it was no fluke.
"We have training drills and I can tell you it's not the first goal that Maicon has scored in this fashion," stated Dunga.
"It's not so much an error by the goalkeeper but creativity on the part of Maicon. Yes, the goalkeeper could have stayed [on his line] but he anticipated that the ball was going to be crossed."
While Robinho impressed, Galatico Kaka was less influential and was replaced by Villarreal striker Nilmar in the 78th minute."
The Real Madrid star has been restricted by a series of injuries this season, although Dunga insisted his plan was to replace the midfielder during the second half.
"We had already anticipated that Kaka would be substituted - he wasn't going to play the full 90 minutes because he hasn't played a full game in five months," commented Dunga.
"We wanted to increase the rhythm and speed of our team so at 2-0 up we wanted to replace him."
Robinho is confident that the three points will allow his team to improve in their next two group matches against the Ivory Coast and Portugal.
"It wasn't our best match but at least we got the win, that's what matters now," he said.
Original Story:
Sunday, March 7, 2010
World Cup favourites Brazil
THERE was a moment in the second half of Brazil’s game against the Republic of Ireland, at the Emirates stadium on Tuesday, that showed what the team have become under their pragmatic coach Dunga. By then, Brazil were in control and when centre-back Juan won another challenge with Kevin Doyle, it seemed nothing more than a routine moment.
In challenging for possession Doyle lost a boot and after the ball had been cleared, he turned to retrieve it. Juan noticed the forlorn footwear and smashed it out into touch. Doyle couldn’t quite believe what he had seen.
Dunga’s Brazil are strong and committed, they work hard and defend well. As Juan crassly reminded us, making friends is not a priority. He took as much notice of Doyle’s annoyance as the coach did of the fan with the ‘Dunga, why not Ronaldinho?’ banner. They aim to win.
The feeling is that Dunga won’t take Ronaldinho to the World Cup, preferring the team-orientated creator, Kaka, and Dunga is in a Brazilian minority that believes a team can have too much creativity. Not only Ronaldinho but even Pato and Diego may not make Dunga’s World Cup squad. Brazil are not overloaded with brilliance but in Dunga’s scheme, the more prosaic qualities are valued.
They were well matched by the Republic in the first half but once the Irish began to tire, Brazil’s strength and skill began to tell and a two-goal victory could have been four or five.
With Spain, Brazil deserve to be World Cup favourites. What is certain is that they will be a very difficult side to beat. Equally certain is that Dunga’s way will not meet with unanimous approval, certainly not in his home country.
Read more
In challenging for possession Doyle lost a boot and after the ball had been cleared, he turned to retrieve it. Juan noticed the forlorn footwear and smashed it out into touch. Doyle couldn’t quite believe what he had seen.
Dunga’s Brazil are strong and committed, they work hard and defend well. As Juan crassly reminded us, making friends is not a priority. He took as much notice of Doyle’s annoyance as the coach did of the fan with the ‘Dunga, why not Ronaldinho?’ banner. They aim to win.
The feeling is that Dunga won’t take Ronaldinho to the World Cup, preferring the team-orientated creator, Kaka, and Dunga is in a Brazilian minority that believes a team can have too much creativity. Not only Ronaldinho but even Pato and Diego may not make Dunga’s World Cup squad. Brazil are not overloaded with brilliance but in Dunga’s scheme, the more prosaic qualities are valued.
They were well matched by the Republic in the first half but once the Irish began to tire, Brazil’s strength and skill began to tell and a two-goal victory could have been four or five.
With Spain, Brazil deserve to be World Cup favourites. What is certain is that they will be a very difficult side to beat. Equally certain is that Dunga’s way will not meet with unanimous approval, certainly not in his home country.
Read more
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Brazil's Alexandre Pato Banking on Milan Performances to Alert Dunga
Only time will tell if his performance against Manchester United will have persuaded Dunga he is ripe for a comeback but Ronaldinho wasn't the only Brazilian in the Milan side hoping for a World Cup lifeline.
Alexandre Pato, another third of Milan's three-man attack in the first leg of their Champions League meeting in the San Siro, is also hoping for a plane ticket to South Africa.
The 20-year-old is enduring an injury-prone season and at one stage his club ordered dental treatment in a bid to solve the muscle problems that had kept him on the sidelines for two months.
"'Dinho and myself are here to play for Milan but a possible call-up to the national side depends on how we play in the red and black shirts," he admitted.
"If I play well with Milan, especially in the big games, then I can hope for a call up to the national team. I want to do my best for Milan and win things with this team but I also want to get back into the national team. It has always been my aim."
Pato's fitness problems meant he did not feature in the 22-man squad called up for next month's London friendly with the Republic of Ireland.
And that will be especially poignant for him as Arsenal's Emirates Stadium was where he made his senior debut, against Sweden in March 2008. He did so in some style too, needing just a few seconds to mark it with a goal, just as Pele had more than 50 years previously.
Another Italian-based player who was also left disappointed by Dunga's selection policy was Diego, the Juventus midfielder, but he too is reluctant to give up on the dream.
Read more
Alexandre Pato, another third of Milan's three-man attack in the first leg of their Champions League meeting in the San Siro, is also hoping for a plane ticket to South Africa.
The 20-year-old is enduring an injury-prone season and at one stage his club ordered dental treatment in a bid to solve the muscle problems that had kept him on the sidelines for two months.
"'Dinho and myself are here to play for Milan but a possible call-up to the national side depends on how we play in the red and black shirts," he admitted.
"If I play well with Milan, especially in the big games, then I can hope for a call up to the national team. I want to do my best for Milan and win things with this team but I also want to get back into the national team. It has always been my aim."
Pato's fitness problems meant he did not feature in the 22-man squad called up for next month's London friendly with the Republic of Ireland.
And that will be especially poignant for him as Arsenal's Emirates Stadium was where he made his senior debut, against Sweden in March 2008. He did so in some style too, needing just a few seconds to mark it with a goal, just as Pele had more than 50 years previously.
Another Italian-based player who was also left disappointed by Dunga's selection policy was Diego, the Juventus midfielder, but he too is reluctant to give up on the dream.
Read more
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Dunga staying with Brazil
Dunga has reiterated he has no intention of stepping down as coach of Brazil.
The former World Cup winner is enduring a tough time at the head of the Selecao, capped by Sunday's unconvincing performance from the Under-23 side in a 1-0 friendly win over a combined Rio de Janeiro team as a warm-up for the Olympics.
That followed a 2-0 defeat to Paraguay and a 0-0 draw with Argentina for the senior side in the World Cup qualifiers, as well as a friendly loss at the hands of Venezuela.
The results have left fans and media questioning Dunga's position, but he said: "I have a job to do here and we're doing it.
"People question the results, but they don't remember that most of the players were on holidays in their respective leagues.
"The same thing happened with (Carlos Alberto) Parreira, with (Mario) Zagallo and even with Felipao (Luiz Felipe Scolari).
"Are we all wrong?"
Perreira coached Brazil to glory in the 1994 World Cup, Zagallo in 1970 and Scolari in 2002.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Dunga calls defender Thiago Silva for World Cup qualifiers
The Brazilian national men's football team's head coach Dunga called on Friday defender Thiago Silva, of Rio-headquartered club Fluminense, to join the roster that will play the qualifying games for the 2010 FIFA World Cup on June 15, in Paraguay, and on June 18, in Argentina.
Dunga also called defender Henrique, of Brazilian club Palmeiras, for the two friendly matches to be held in the United States on May 31, against Canada, and on June 6, against Venezuela.
Both players will replace Alex Costa, of UK's Chelsea, who was removed from the list due to an injury.
The coaching committee had to draft two athletes to replace one because, on the dates of the friendlies, Silva will be playing the semifinals of the Libertadores Cup with Fluminense, against Argentina's Boca Juniors.
Silva's case is similar to the ones of Sao Paulo's forward Adriano and of Santos' wingback Kleber, who were included on the roster for the World Cup qualifiers last week. However, Sao Paulo and Santos got eliminated from Libertadores Cup this week.
Dunga is still expected to announce another player for the team, as Milan's star Kaka, who underwent an surgery on his left knee on Friday, will not be able to participate in the friendlies.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-05/24/content_8241398.htm
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Pato as good as Ronaldo says Dunga
Brazil coach Dunga believes Alexandre Pato can emulate Ronaldo after the teenage prodigy marked his international debut with a sublime winner against Sweden.Pato, 18, only made his first appearance for AC Milan two months ago but is already being heralded as a phenomenal talent. He underlined his huge potential with a breathtaking cameo at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on Wednesday to clinch a 1-0 victory over Sweden.
The young star had only been on the pitch for 12 minutes as a second-half substitute when he punished Rami Shaaban’s mistake with a curling effort from an acute angle wide on the left wing.
Ronaldo, a World Cup winner in 2002, played alongside Dunga earlier in his career and the Selecao coach is convinced Pato has the same world-beating ability as his Milan teammate.
“He is in the style of Ronaldo at that age,” Dunga said. “They both like to get involved and try to do what you tell them. You have to give players like that room to be creative.
“I don’t think he is a normal talent. There are some people that can make a big difference and he is one of those players.
“He has developed in the time he has been in Italy and already has good standing at Milan.
“He is very young for this but he is humble, modest and keeps working.
“It was an important goal. To do this in his first game gives him confidence.”
It was fitting Pato made such an instant impact in a match arranged to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Brazil’s first World Cup final triumph, a 5-2 win over the Swedes that established Pele as the game’s first global star.
While Dunga is excited to work with Pato, he is keen to let the precocious youngster develop at his own pace. The next step will be to take part in the Olympics Games in Beijing later this year.
“He is ready to start. He has the Olympic Games coming up and that is a big opportunity for him,” Dunga said. “He’s a really promising player but we can’t put too much responsibility on him. We have to break him in gently.
“We can’t expect him to do everything on his own. He has to come into his game naturally but he definitely has talent.
There are a lot of expectations but we don’t want to exaggerate.”
http://soccerglobe.net/2008/04/02/pato-as-good-as-ronaldo-says-dunga/
Friday, March 28, 2008
Soccer-Brazil celebrates but Dunga pours cold water on Pato
Alexandre Pato's spectacular debut goal for Brazil has brought comparisons with Pele and Ronaldo, gushing praise and endless television replays -- everything that coach Dunga has been trying to avoid.
Just as he did as a player, Dunga has made hard work and team spirit his watchwords and tried to keep celebrity culture out of the national team.
The days when celebrities would turn up at the Brazil training camp in Teresopolis to be photographed with the likes of Ronaldo and Ronaldinho have been pushed aside as Dunga attempts to prevent any particular player getting more attention than his team mates.
When asked about Kaka's spectacular goals against Ecuador and Peru last year, Dunga dodged the questions and instead heaped praise on the midfield markers Josue and Mineiro.
Dunga last year resisted pressure to give Pato an early international debut, saying that the player was still not experienced.
When he finally relented in Wednesday night's friendly against Sweden and brought Pato on as a second-half substitute, the AC Milan player needed only 12 minutes to score his first goal for his country.
The 18-year-old chased Rami Shaaban towards the right touchline as the substitute goalkeeper looked set for an easy clearance and contrived to block the ball, swivel and send an exquisite left-footed lob into the unguarded net.
FAMILY SUPPORT
On Thursday afternoon, the goal -- the only high point of an otherwise drab game -- was still being replayed on Brazilian television.
The Folha de Sao Paulo began the comparisons with past greats by pointing out that both Pele and Ronaldo had taken longer to score their first international goals.
According to the Folha, Pele scored 32 minutes into his debut against Argentina in 1957 while Ronaldo needed 51 minutes' play to hit the target, the goal coming against Iceland in 1994.
Pato's goal brought more praise from Sweden coach Lars Lagerback than Dunga himself.
In typical style, Dunga praised Pato more for closing down Shaaban than for the quick thinking and clinical efficiency of his lob.
"He has technical quality, but I liked how he went to put the goalkeeper in difficulty," Dunga said. "He has everything to be a crack (player), but let's see (how good he is) after 40 games."
Fortunately for Dunga, the shy Pato does not seem the type to get carried away.
His brief interview to Brazilian television made even the notoriously non-committal comments of Ronaldinho look outspoken and hard-hitting in comparison.
"It's always nice to get off to a good start," he said, before repeatedly thanking his family for their support.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldFootballNews/idUKB84275920080327
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Dunga warns Brazil stars to prove their worth
Brazil coach Dunga has warned Ronaldinho and Kaka that superstar status doesn't guarantee their place in the national team.
Dunga has left Ronaldinho out of his squad to face Sweden in a friendly in London on Wednesday because the Barcelona midfielder has been struggling with injuries and poor form this season.
The Selecao boss is also without Kaka after the AC Milan playmaker pulled out with a thigh injury.
But Dunga believes he has enough quality players to cope without his two talismanic figures at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.
"Everybody has to prove their worth. We don't want to force anyone to play just because people have been talking about them. We have convictions and have to work on that basis," Dunga said.
"Ronaldinho and Kaka are quality players but they have had some injuries. I have got other stars likes Robinho and Gilberto Silva. Anybody in the Brazil team is a good player.
"I can only pick 22 and we have great players. Everybody has to win their place and prove their worth."
If Wednesday's Brazil line-up lacks some well-known names, Dunga is hopeful that will give the chance for some of his young players to establish themselves ahead of the Olympic Games and the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.
AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato is regarded as Brazil's brightest young star and could make his debut against the Swedes.
It would be fitting for Pato to feature in a match arranged to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Brazil's first World Cup final triumph. That 5-2 win over Sweden in Stockholm made Pele, then a teenage prodigy, into a global icon, and Pato is the next in line to fill the role of Brazilian phenomenon.
Pato has already played at the Emirates once after featuring in Milan's goalless Champions League draw with Arsenal, but Dunga was coy about his role on Wednesday.
"It depends on the game but he is a quality player, that's why he is in the team," he said.
Dunga is determined to establish a team-first ethos in his squad and wants all egos checked at the dressing room door.
The less-heralded likes of Manchester City's Elano, Werder Bremen's Diego and Real Betis striker Rafael Sorbis will all get another chance to impress on Brazil's third visit to the Emirates in the last two years.
"These players are experienced but there is an adapation. We have to build up confidence with the players," Dunga said.
"They have only a few opportunities to play. When they are playing well why would be take them out? They have to have pleasure in playing. We have to build a group."
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hdE1er5YpaBSGjiFOccysXBjy9lQ
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Kaka, Robinho, and Juan to the Olympics
Brazil's coach, Dunga, decided those three footballers should be a resource for the Under-23 team which will participate in the Beijing Olympic Games 2008.Ronaldinho is out.
According to the column Panorama Deportivo from the tabloid O Globo, Barcelona's boy will only be called to take part in a competition which the national team has never clinched only if Kaka, Robinho or Juan reject the offer or suffer an injury.
Dunga will be the first Brazilian coach to fill in the Olympic lineup with three players over 23 years old, just as rules authorize.
The aim of such resources is to increase the possibilities of clinching the gold medal, the only major trophy that the countless world champions have not captured.
According to Panorama Deportivo, one of the most renowned sources of sport information in the country, Dunga has already a mental lineup towards Beijing.
Such lineup will comprise Renan (Internacional); Rafinha (Schalke 04-GER), Juan (Roma-ITA), Breno (Bayern Munich-GER), Marcelo (Real Madrid-SPA); Lucas (Liverpool-ENG), Anderson (Manchester-ENG), Kaka (Milan-ITA); Alexandre Pato (Milan-ITA), and Robinho (Real Madrid-SPA).
The only doubt would still be the fourth midfielder, position for which Dunga wants one who is able to cover up the wings.
All the names included on the list, but for Juan, were called on by Dunga for the friendly match against Ireland on February 6th.
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