I had the privilege to interview Brazilian Journalist Mr. Victor de
Andrade about Brazil’s perspective on the 1997 Tournoi de France.
I would like to thank Mr. Caio Alves of http://www.alambrado.net/ for getting me
in contact with de Andrade.
Soccernostalgia Question: First
of all thank you for your time for this interview Mr. de Andrade. What were the
expectations of the Brazilian Press and the fans in general going into this
Tournament?
Response: In fact, in spite of the
opponents, here in Brazil was facing the Tournament of France of 1997 like
other friendly that the Brazilian Selection did in Europe. The most important
was the Copa América, which would be held soon after, in Bolivia, where Brazil
was the champion. However, as before this tournament, the Brazilian team was
defeated by Norway, paying attention to see how the Brazilian team would behave
against France, Italy and England increased.
Soccernostalgia Question: This
was the first season that Ronaldo had broken through after his season at
Barcelona. During the Tournoi, he was on verge of and eventually joined Inter.
Can you describe the Press’ view and coverage of this?
Response: The expectation was great,
because after a masterful season by Barcelona, having reached the rank of best
player of the world, no one imagined that Ronaldo would leave the Barcelona.
But at the same time, he had questions about how he would play in Italian
football, admittedly with the strongest mark and also considered the best
league in the world at the time.
Soccernostalgia Question: This
was also the year that Romario returned to the National Team. Romario and
Ronaldo had teamed up successfully together for the first time in a February
1997 friendly vs. Poland. Did the Brazil Press assume they would be together
until the 1998 World Cup?
Response: In fact, there was neither
presumption nor certainty! Having Romario and Ronaldo in the attack was a kind
of dream, something like having Pelé and Garrincha. Except that no one expected
Romario's muscular problem on the eve of the World Cup and the cut ended up
coming. There are many people who say that if Romário was in the World Cup
final (France 3 to 0), the result would be different. It is worth mentioning
that muscle bruises persecuted Romário in that phase of his career. For
example, he came out at the start of the final of the 2000 João Havelange Cup
(which counted as the Brazilian Championship that year), between Vasco and São
Caetano (a game that was interrupted shortly after his exit because of a fall
of the fence and match was redone, with him in the field) and in the semifinal
of the Brazilian Championship of 2002, between Fluminense and Corinthians. In
both cases, Romario left the field with muscular problems.
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 112, May 1998
|
(Brazil
squad, June 3, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 1-Brazil 1)
|
Soccernostalgia Question: What
Brazilian players did the press clamor for that were not selected for the
Tournoi?
Response: At that very moment there
was no such strong cry. The biggest absence was Rivaldo, but Zagallo had not
called since his bad performances at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. Then he
returned to wear the yellow jersey and even became a starter in the World Cup.
Closer to the World Cup, striker Müller (who had already played in the 1986,
1990 and 1994 World Cups and then defended Santos) and defender Mauro Galvão
(who was in the 1986 and 1990 World Cups and was in Vasco) were the most
requested players, but were not called by Zagallo.
Soccernostalgia Question: Why do
you think Marcio Santos did so poorly vs. Norway, just before the Tournoi.
Should have had another chance?
Response: Indeed, Marcio Santos was poor in the friendly against Norway and
ended up losing space in the National Team. However, shortly thereafter, he
went to São Paulo where he made great presentations and he was on the original
list of squad for the 1998 World Cup. But a few days after the announcement of
the squad, he was injured in the Championship final Paulista, where the São
Paulo was champion winning Corinthians, and he was cut from the World Cup, with
André Cruz being called in his place.
Soccernostalgia Question: Aldair
was one of the players under the most scrutiny with the Brazilian Press. Whom
did they prefer as an alternative?
Response: This view on Aldair was not unanimous among the Brazilian press.
Some thought he was not in the best shape, others, like me, considered him the
most technical Brazilian defender in activity at the time. Brazil had good
defenders at that moment, and the requests were several: Junior Baiano (who was
called up and started the World Cup), André Cruz, Mauro Galvão, Adilson (from
Grêmio, Zagallo also did not call him), Antônio Carlos Zago , among others.
There were several options.
Soccernostalgia Question: Mauro
Silva lost his spot after the Tournoi. Was it just age catching up with him?
Response: I think age was the least important. In the position, Brazil had
players like Dunga, Cesar Sampaio (who were the holders in the Worlds) Doriva,
Emerson (were in reserve) and Flávio Conceição (who was in the list for the
World Cup, but also was cut by injury). Ze Elias, who was at the right time, as
well as Mauro Silva, were left out! Well, as you can see, there were several
good choices and it was just a coach's choice.
Soccernostalgia Question:
Roberto Carlos’ free kick vs. France is always going to live in memory as part
of Football History. Can you describe your reaction in live time?
Response: Wow!!! What a goal!!! That ball came out with an incredible
effect. That kick should become a thesis of some physics course! Something only
football can offer!
Soccernostalgia Question: How do
you judge Brazil’s performance against France in general?
Response: A game that sums up well what was the Brasilia Team at the time.
Many individual talents without any tactical organization. Zagallo was already
very outdated at the time, despite being very important in the history of
Brazilian football, and the team was very messy tactically. However, with the
amount of talent that had, an hour was always a move of genius and she came in
the free kick of Roberto Carlos.
 |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 121, February 1999
|
(Bixente
Lizarazu and Ronaldo, June 3, 1997, Le Tournoi, France 1-Brazil 1)
|
Soccernostalgia Question: How do
the Brazilians regard the classic vs. Italy today and how was it regarded it at
the time? Was the emphasis on Brazil’s fight back or its defensive
vulnerability? What are your personal memories of this match?
Response: To be honest, you do not remember so much about this game today.
As she was not in a World Cup or America's Cup, only the most enthusiastic
remember. However, the soccer fan in Brazil loves games with many goals. A 3 to
3, 4 to 4, 6 to 5 is to leave the fan in ecstasy. And this game was like that
too. And once again the individual talents came out (for that the goals in
front) and the tactical mess added to the faulty defensive system (the goals
suffered). Zagallo was harshly criticized, so even after the Brazilian team won
the Copa América, he released the famous phrase " Vocês vão ter que me
engolir” (em inglês: You're going to have to swallow me), which was justly
against the criticisms he received.
 |
Photo
From: L'Annee du Football, 1997
|
(June
8, 1997, Le Tournoi, Brazil 3-Italy 3)
|
Soccernostalgia Question: Zagallo
felt the third match vs. England was their most complete match? Do you agree?
Response: I agree with the coach in this case. Brazil made its best game
against England. However, it is good to remember that the British had already
secured the title of the competition and entered, say, more relaxed in the game
against the Brazilian National Team.
Soccernostalgia Question:
Ronaldo had a relatively quiet tournament, was it as most speculated because of
his transfer wrangle between Barcelona and Inter?
Response: Speculation may have messed up, of course! Ronaldo had not yet
completed 21 years at the time. Despite the name he had. But it is good to
remember that in the Copa America he went very well and was one of the big
names in the competition.
Soccernostalgia Question: The
Tournoi also allowed Denilson to break-out. Was it good for him or did it ruin
him in the long run?
Response: Not in that moment. Denilson was very young and continued to be
constantly called to the national team. What's more, his first semester in 1998
was great and that was why it was the biggest transaction in Brazilian football
history when São Paulo sold it to Real Betis. And in the World Cup was the
"12th player", always entering the matches. And another: Djalminha is
one of the players most wronged (much because of his temperament and
confusions) of Brazilian soccer. He was a very talented midfielder, who did
what he wanted with the ball. No wonder he was one of the big names in
Deportivo La Coruna's only Spanish league title.
Soccernostalgia Question: Which
Brazilian players stood out for you?
Response: Romário, Roberto Carlos and Djalminha (when he entered, which
ended up giving him the title in the Copa America).
Soccernostalgia Question: Which
Brazilian players did poorly and did not seize thee opportunity given to them?
Response: Giovanni (who left the Seleção but returned to play well and went
to the World Cup), Mauro Silva, Marcio Santos (the same as Giovanni, but was
injured) and Célio Silva.
Soccernostalgia Question: How
did the Brazlian press view the Tournoi as a whole at the end?
Response: That France had to grow a lot. That Italy was fine and England,
despite the title, still left doubts. And Brazil was what I said before: a team
with a lot of talent, but without the least tactical organization.
Thank you once again for the interview
You may follow Mr.Victor de Andrade
on Facebook on: O Curioso do Futebol
On twitter: @ocuriosofutebol
You may follow Mr. Caio Alves
On twitter: @CaioalAlves
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