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Brazil captain Thiago Silva hails ‘the World Cup of all World Cups’ Brazil captain Thiago Silva hails ‘the World Cup of all World Cups’
(35 minutes later)
Thiago Silva believes that Brazil is hosting “the World Cup of all World Cups”, the ultimate festival for lovers of attacking football although, for a defender, he admits it has been painful at times.Thiago Silva believes that Brazil is hosting “the World Cup of all World Cups”, the ultimate festival for lovers of attacking football although, for a defender, he admits it has been painful at times.
The Brazil captain is focused on neutralising Mexico at the Estadio Castelao on Tuesday in his country’s second Group A tie. The stakes are high, with qualification likely to be assured for the victor. But Thiago took a moment to reflect on what has so far been a thrilling tournament, loaded with goals and enterprise. The Brazil captain is focused on neutralising Mexico at the Estádio Castelão on Tuesday in his country’s second Group A tie. The stakes are high, with qualification likely to be assured for the victor. But the defender took a moment to reflect on what has so far been a thrilling tournament, loaded with goals and enterprise.
“This is the World Cup of all World Cups for those who like goals scored,” the Paris Saint-Germain defender said. “For those who like football, this is *the* World Cup. This is being shown in terms of numbers, goals. For a defender, that’s not all good but I believe it’s just part of football.” “This is the World Cup of all World Cups for those who like goals scored,” the Paris Saint-Germain defender said. “For those who like football, this is the World Cup. This is being shown in terms of numbers, goals. For a defender, that’s not all good but I believe it’s just part of football.”
The Brazil manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari, has a selection issue, with Hulk, who started last Thursday’s opening day victory over Croatia, having suffered a muscular problem in training. The forward, who hails from Paraiba in the north-east of the country, further down the coast from Fortaleza, where the tie is being played, does not want to miss out. “I’m from the north-east and my family is going to be there,” he said.The Brazil manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari, has a selection issue, with Hulk, who started last Thursday’s opening day victory over Croatia, having suffered a muscular problem in training. The forward, who hails from Paraiba in the north-east of the country, further down the coast from Fortaleza, where the tie is being played, does not want to miss out. “I’m from the north-east and my family is going to be there,” he said.
Hulk had a similar problem before the Croatia match only to play for 68 minutes before he was replaced by Bernard but his prospects are bleaker this time. He did not train at the stadium on Thursday, as he remained behind for treatment and Scolari said that he would assess him before the game.Hulk had a similar problem before the Croatia match only to play for 68 minutes before he was replaced by Bernard but his prospects are bleaker this time. He did not train at the stadium on Thursday, as he remained behind for treatment and Scolari said that he would assess him before the game.
Neither Scolari nor Thiago seemed unduly concerned by his potential absence, with the Chelsea pair, Willian and Ramires, together with Bernard, ready to step in. “It would be a big loss but Felipao can choose Bernard, Willian or Ramires with one eye closed,” said Thiago. Neither Scolari nor Thiago Silva seemed unduly concerned by his potential absence, with the Chelsea pair, Willian and Ramires, together with Bernard, ready to step in. “It would be a big loss but Felipao can choose Bernard, Willian or Ramires with one eye closed,” said Thiago Silva.
Scolari agreed and he pointed out that one of his eyes was already practically closed because of what looked like a sty. His defence system must be down; this is most surely the most intense and stressful of times. But Scolari’s body language at the pre-match press conference was not that of a man with the weight of the nation on his shoulders.Scolari agreed and he pointed out that one of his eyes was already practically closed because of what looked like a sty. His defence system must be down; this is most surely the most intense and stressful of times. But Scolari’s body language at the pre-match press conference was not that of a man with the weight of the nation on his shoulders.
He arrived with a smile and casual thumbs up for the Brazilian press and he was not unduly flustered when he could not put on his translation headset; Thiago had to show him how. He arrived with a smile and casual thumbs up for the Brazilian press and he was not unduly flustered when he could not put on his translation headset; Thiago Silva had to show him how.
Mexico were described to him, by one reporter, as a ‘pebble in Brazil’s shoe’ and Scolari is well aware of his country’s recent record against them. In the past 13 senior matches, Brazil have four wins to Mexico’s seven, and this does not include the meeting in the final of the 2012 London Olympics, which was essentially an under-23 fixture, even if Thiago was on the pitch that day as Mexico won 2-1. Mexico were described to him, by one reporter, as a “pebble in Brazil’s shoe” and Scolari is well aware of his country’s recent record against them. In the past 13 senior matches, Brazil have four wins to Mexico’s seven, and this does not include the meeting in the final of the 2012 London Olympics, which was essentially an under-23 fixture, even if Thiago was on the pitch that day as Mexico won 2-1.
“Every time we play Mexico, we have difficulties,” Scolari said. “Don’t expect Brazil to be the owner of the party. Mexico are warriors, very strong, skilful and well organised. They play football we should respect.”“Every time we play Mexico, we have difficulties,” Scolari said. “Don’t expect Brazil to be the owner of the party. Mexico are warriors, very strong, skilful and well organised. They play football we should respect.”