In
March 1982, the West German National Team embarked on a Tour of South America,
its first since 1977.
The
Germans had qualified for the 1982 World Cup in Spain with a perfect record of
8 wins out of 8 in their group. They were viewed as the best team in Europe and
were led by Double Ballon d’Or winner Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
The
tour was beneficial for the Germans to test themselves against their biggest
rivals from the South American continent: Brazil and defending World Cup
Champions of Argentina.
West
German Manager Juup Derwall virtually selected his strongest squad with
experimentation not in his mind.
However,
after selecting his squad, he had the misfortune of losing Team Captain
Rummenigge, who was injured with Bayern Munich in their Champions Cup
Quarterfinals vs. Romania’s Universitatea Craiova.
Other
missing players included SV Hamburg midfielder Felix Magath, Wilfried Hannes
and Karl Allgöwer. Another missing key player was the
Barcelona based Bernd Schuster. He had left the National team after a dispute
and his future with the National team was still in doubt.
The
Germans’ first test was against the attractive Brazil side of Tele Santana at
Maracana on March 21st.
Brazil
themselves were missing their Captain Socrates and Toninho Cerezo through
injury.
In
addition, Reinaldo, Serginho, Ze Sergio, Edevaldo and Batista were unavailable,
not to mention Brazilians overseas (Falcao at AS Roma and Dirceu at Atletico
Madrid).
These
absences enabled rare starts for Adilio, Careca, Vitor and Mario Sergio. In
fact Adilio and Antonio Careca were making their debuts for Brazil.
The
original match referee was the Portuguese Antonio Garrido, however he was
replaced by Spain’s AugustoLamo
Castillo following the Germans’ protests that Garrido spoke the same language
as the opponents.
Photo From: Onze,
Issue 76, April 1982
(Wolfgang Dremmler and Adilio, March 21, 1982,
Brazil 1-West Germany 0)
Lothar
Matthaus on his 21st Birthday earned a rare start. His task was to
mark Zico.
The
Germans had arrived the day before the match, which explained why Brazil were
better and livelier. Their performance improved in the second half despite
visibly missing the key absences.
Photo From:
France Football, Issue 1877, March 30, 1982
(Zico, March 21, 1982, Brazil 1-West Germany 0)
Photo From: France
Football, Issue 1877, March 30, 1982
(Mario Sergio between Paul Breitner and Manfred
Kaltz, March 21, 1982, Brazil 1-West Germany 0)
The
Germans were more cautious and defensive. Stilieke was the best German on the
field according to many, while Matthaus and Hansi Muller also held their own.
Zico
was well contained by Matthaus throughout the match and did not have his usual
impact.
Photo From: Onze,
Issue 76, April 1982
(March 21, 1982, Brazil 1-West Germany 0)
Photo From: Onze,
Issue 76, April 1982
(Antonio Careca and Uli Stilieke, March 21,
1982, Brazil 1-West Germany 0)
The
Germans suffered a blow as early as the 13th minute, when striker
Klaus Fischer was injured and had to be replaced by Horst Hrubesch. Fischer’s
tour was over after less than 15 minutes of action. Hrubesch had two good
chances in the match but failed to open his account.
Near
the closing stages of the match, Brazil finally broke through and opened the
score.
Junior
scored after a one-two with Adilio from the left side.
Photo From:
Chronik des deutschen fussballs, 2005
(Harald Schumacher after Junior’s goal, March
21, 1982, Brazil 1-West Germany 0)
West
German substitutes Mill and Engels made their debuts for the National team near
the end of the match.
In
the last minute the Germans were close to scoring, but Valdir Peres stopped
Forster’s attempt.
Photo From: EL
GRAFICO Nº 3259 (1983)
(March 21, 1982, Brazil 1-West Germany 0)
Photo From: EL
GRAFICO Nº 3259 (1983)
(March 21, 1982, Brazil 1-West Germany 0)
Despite
the defeat the Germans were satisfied with the overall display against their
toughest rivals.
Three
days later they faced Argentina at River Plate’s El Monumental stadium.
The
Germans virtually started with the same lineup as Brazil, except this time
Hrubesch started in place of the injured Fischer.
Photo From:
(Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer (special thanks to
Daniel Antonio Escobar Riquelme)
(West Germany squad, Top, left to right:
Ulrich Stielike, Horst Hrubesch,Hans-Peter
Briegel, Paul Breitner,
Harald Anton ‘Toni’ Schumacher, Manfred Kaltz, Bottom, left to right: Hans Peter
‘Hansi’ Müller,Pierre Littbarski, Lothar Herbert Matthäus, Wolfgang Dremmler, KarlheinzFörster ,March 24, 1982, Argentina 1-West Germany 1)
The
Argentines were missing the foreign-based duo of Osvaldo Ardiles and Daniel
Bertoni.
They
also had rule out goalkeeper Ubaldo Fillol due to food poisoning.
Initially
There
was a fear that he may have contracted Hepatitis.
The
entire team was medically checked the morning of match.
Hector
Baley replaced Fillol in the net, and Ardiles’ absence allowed Barbas to start.
This
time Lothar Matthaus was tasked with marking Diego Maradona and once again he
accomplished his mission.
Photo From: Onze,
Issue 76, April 1982
(March 24, 1982, Argentina 1-West Germany 1)
Photo From: Onze,
Issue 76, April 1982
(Hans-Peter Briegel and Juan Barbas, March 24,
1982, Argentina 1-West Germany 1)
Maradona
was marked out of the game and had a disappointing evening along with teammate
Mario Kempes.
The
Argentines had actually started better, but had faded as the first half had
progressed. The Germans were better than the match with Brazil and were
determined not to lose two matches in a row.
Photo From: World
Soccer , May 1982
(Paul Breitner and Gabriel calderon, March 24,
1982, Argentina 1-West Germany 1)
Photo From: EL
GRAFICO Nº 3260 (1984)
(Ramon Diaz and Karlheinz Foerster, March 24,
1982, Argentina 1-West Germany 1)
The
Germans went ahead first in the opening half. In the 33rd minute,
Hansi Muller took a corner from the left side that was headed across to the
right side by Hrubesch. The ball fell perfectly for Dremmler who slammed it
home with an angled shot.
Photo From: Onze,
Issue 76, April 1982
(Diego Maradona and Manfred Kaltz, March 24,
1982, Argentina 1-West Germany 1)
Their
hosts tied up midway into the second half. Gabriel Calderon from the left side
did a one-two with Maradona and shot past Schumacher.
Immediately,
after Argentina’s goal, the Germans made a double substitution.
A
tired Breitner was taken off as Gallego and Calderon had constantly fouled him.
Breitner
had a fine match, along with once again Stilieke and Matthaus. For the Argentineans
striker Ramon Diaz and back up goalkeeper Baley had stood out.
Photo From:
Chronik des deutschen fussballs, 2005
(Wolfgang Dremmler’s goal, March 24, 1982,
Argentina 1-West Germany 1)
Photo From: World
Soccer, June 1982
(Argentina squad, March 24, 1982, Argentina
1-West Germany 1)
The
West Germany ended their tour on a high note as they had as held Argentina at
bay for long periods.
Lothar
Matthaus won his spot for the World Cup Finals squad with this tour. Horst Hrubesch
did not capitalize on the chance and playing offered to him. He certainly did
not do enough to dislodge Fischer as starting striker.
The
importance of Stilieke was also visible for all to see.
Photo From: EL
GRAFICO Nº 3260 (1984)
(Wolfgang Dremmler’s goal, March 24, 1982,
Argentina 1-West Germany 1)
Photo From: EL
GRAFICO Nº 3260 (1984)
(Wolfgang Dremmler’s goal, March 24, 1982,
Argentina 1-West Germany 1)
However,
the absence of Captain Karl-Heinz Rummenigge showed his importance he to the
team. Most of Germany’s attacking initiative was missing without him. A fit
Rummenigge was a must for the Germans to have any chance in Spain.
Nevertheless,
the Germans were satisfied with this tour and believed they could improve
further in three months time for the World Cup Finals.
Photo From: EL GRAFICO Nº 3260 (1984)
(Sequence of Gabriel Calderon’s equalizer, March 24, 1982, Argentina 1-West Germany 1)
Photo From: EL
GRAFICO Nº 3260 (1984)
(Final Sequence of Gabriel Calderon’s equalizer,
March 24, 1982, Argentina 1-West Germany 1)
The
selected squad for the South American Tour:
Goalkeepers:
Squad
Harald
Anton ‘Toni’ Schumacher (1. Fußball-Club Köln 01/07 e.V.)
Bernd
Franke (Braunschweiger Turn- und Sportverein Eintracht von 1895 e.V.) Eike Immel (Ballspielverein Borussia
Dortmund 1909 e.V)
Defenders:
Manfred
Kaltz (Hamburger
Sport-Verein e.V.)
(captain in Rumemnigge’s absence)
Ulrich
Stielike (Real Madrid Club de Fútbol / Spain)
Karlheinz
Förster(Verein für Bewegungspiele
Stuttgart 1893 e.V.)
March
24, 1982- Buenos Aires -Antonio Vespuci Alberti (El Monumental) (River Plate)
Referee: José Luis Martínez
Bazán (Uruguay)
Argentina 1-West Germany 1 (Gabriel Calderon 67 / Wolfgang Dremmler 33)
Argentina: 1-Hector Rodolfo Baley, 4-Jorge Mario Olguín, 2-Luis Adolfo Galván, 6-Daniel Alberto Passarella (captain), 3-Alberto César Tarantini, 8-Juan
Alberto Barbas, 5-Américo Rubén Gallego, 10-Diego Armando Maradona, 7-Gabriel
Humberto Calderon, 9-Ramon Angel Diaz, 11-Mario Alberto Kempes (14-Patricio
Jose Hernandez 78th )
Coach:
Cesar Luis Menotti
Booked:
Jorge Olguin
Other
Subs: Raul de la cruz Chaparro, Enzo Hector Trossero, Nery Alberto Pumpido,
Jose Daniel Van Tuyne, Julio Jorge Olarticoechea, Jose Daniel Valencia
Brazil’s
European Tour of 1981: The return of ‘Jogo Bonito’
In
May 1981, the Brazilian National Team embarked on a Tour of Europe, its first
since 1978 under Claudio Coutinho.
In
the preceding months, the National team had participated in the Mundialito
Tournament in Uruguay and 1982 World Cup Qualifiers. Despite the loss in the
Final of the Mundialito vs. the hosts Uruguay, they had left a positive
impression. As it has been stated Ad Nauseam (on this blog), Brazil Manager
Tele Santana (appointed in 1980) preached a more attractive brand of Football
than his predecessor Coutinho. Santana’s approach was more in line with the
traditional values of Brazilian Football.
Brazil
had won all its four World cup Qualifying matches against Bolivia and
Venezuela. They saw the Tour as a necessary step in preparation for the actual
World Cup in Spain in a year’s time.
As
was the case for the previous Tour under Coutinho, Santana was also very eager
for this expedition. He felt the type of pressure and atmosphere that his
players would face would be an important learning lesson for Spain.
For
the Mundialito, in January, he had not been able to call upon the then-injured
Zico. The much coveted Zico was now fit and available. Unfortunately, Batista
and Tita were forced to bow out due to injuries. In addition, Serginho could
not be called upon as CBF had suspended him.
Santana
had wanted to integrate Paulo Roberto Falcao, but AS Roma officials would not
release him.
Otherwise,
most of the Mundialito squad was present. There was some debate whether Captain
Socrates would be more efficient as a midfielder or a striker.
The
opponents on the Tour were three of Europe’s best: the defending European Champions
West Germany, England and France (identical to 1978 Tour opponents).
The
Tour started on May 12th with Brazil facing off vs. England at Wembley. For the
English this served also as a preparation for their upcoming key World Cup
qualifiers vs. Switzerland and Hungary, not to mention British Home
Championship matches.
The
English were missing many players through injuries and unavailability.
Photo
From: (Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer
(Brazil squad, May 12,
1981, England 0-Brazil 1)
England
Manager Ron Greenwood did not call upon any Liverpool and Ipswich Town players,
who were preparing for the Champions Cup and UEFA Cup Finals. In addition other
regulars like Kevin Keegan, Trevor Brooking, Trevor Francis, Tony Woodcock and
Glenn Hoddle were missing.
Photo From : Mondial, New Series, Hors Serie
13, 1982
(Socrates, May 12, 1981,
England 0-Brazil 1)
As
a result, West Ham United defender Alvin Martin and Aston Villa striker Peter
White earned their first caps.
Needless
to say, with all the absences, the English failed to gel as a unit and
struggled in the early stages.
Photo From : World Soccer, October 1981
(Ray Clemence and
Socrates, May 12, 1981, England 0-Brazil 1)
The
game itself was settled early on. In the 11th minute, Edevaldo sent in a cross
from the right side to the edge of the box. Zico picked it up, evaded one
defender and volleyed home from close range.
Photo From : Mondial, new series, issue 16,
July 1981
(Reinaldo, May 12, 1981, England 0-Brazil 1)
In
the First half, Brazil was more impressive and played a free flowing game. In
the second half, England gradually started playing better and got the crowd
behind them. Brazil’s Reinaldo scored a goal, which was called off as the
Referee had already whistled for a foul. In the last minute the English nearly
tied the match, but Peter White’s effort hit the post. Brazil were generally
considered to be the better team and the result seemed a fair reflection of the
proceedings.
Photo From : Mondial, new series, issue 16,
July 1981
(Zico, May 12, 1981,
England 0-Brazil 1)
Photo From : Mondial, new series, issue 24, March 1982
(Zico and Terry
McDermott, May 12, 1981, England 0-Brazil 1)
Three
days later, on May 15th, Brazil took on France in Paris. The only change in
Brazil’s lineup was in the choice of goalkeeper. Paulo Sergio went in the net
in place of Valdir Peres. Reinaldo was deployed as sole striker.
Much
like the English, the French had many absentees including star and captain
Michel Platini and others such as Dominique Rocheteau, Jean-Francois Larios,
Alain Giresse, Bernard Lacombe and Gerard Soler.
Before
the match, Brazilian Legend Pele was honored by ‘L’Equipe’ Magazine as ‘The
Athlete of the Century.’
Photo
From: (Magazine Source unknown) / Contribution From a blog viewer
(Brazil squad, Top, left to right : Cerezo,
Edevaldo, Oscar, Luizinho, Paulo Sergio, Junior , Bottom, left to right :
Paulo Isidoro, Socrates, Reinaldo, Zico, Eder , May 15, 1981, France 1-Brazil
3)
Photo
From: Onze, Issue 66, June 1981
(Pele, May 15, 1981,
France 1-Brazil 3)
While
the English seemed to adjust to their key absences somewhat better, the French
were in complete disarray against the more skillful Brazilians.
Jean
Tigana was expected to be the playmaker, but the task was beyond him. Newcomer
Phillipe Anziani was also lost and no match for Brazil’s defenders.
Brazil
dominated completely and scored twice in the first half.
In
the 21st minute, Socrates split the French defense and sent Zico
clear who slot home with only the goalkeeper to beat. This was Zico’s 500th
career goal.
The
French were further weakened by the injury and replacement of veteran defender
Marius Tresor in the 23rd minute.
Minutes
later in the 27th minute, Brazil doubled its lead. Eder from the
left sent in a cross that Zico trapped down for Reinaldo to pounce on.
Photo
From: Onze, Issue 66, June 1981
(Reinaldo celebrating Brazil’s second goal, May
15, 1981, France 1-Brazil 3)
In
the 52nd minute, Zico and Socrates combined again for a beautiful
third goal. Zico lobbed a ball into the French goal area for the onrushing
Socrates, who in turn lobbed the ball himself into the net.
Photo
From: Onze, Issue 66, June 1981
(The sequence of Socrates’ goal, May 15, 1981,
France 1-Brazil 3)
In
the 81st minute, Didier Six reduced the deficit with a nice effort.
He got possession of the loose ball outside of the box, dragged it across and
from outside of the box scored with a low shot in the goalkeeper’s left corner.
Photo
From: Mondial, new series, issue 15, June 1981
(May 15, 1981, France 1-Brazil 3)
Didier
Six was sent off just before the end after making an insulting gesture to the
Referee.
This
was France’s first home loss under Michel Hidalgo.
For
their final match of the Tour, the Brazilians faced the West Germans at
Stuttgart on May 19th.
This
would turn out to be their most difficult and challenging match of the Tour.
The
Germans had in the months prior, re-integrated former star Paul Breitner after
many years of absence. They were at that point, the strongest team in Europe
and seen as Brazil’s main rival for the next World Cup.
They could not call upon Uli Stilieke, as
Real Madrid would not release him. Bernd Schuster was also authorized to play
only one half by his Spanish employers Barcelona.
For
Brazil Valdir Peres was back in the net and Cesar started in place of Reinaldo.
As
usual, Brazil were impressive despite the much sterner opposition. It was the
Germans who went ahead first. In the 30th minute Breitner, from the
middle of the field, sent a cross to Rummenigge on the right side. Rummenigge
crossed into the goalmouth for Fischer to score.
Photo
From: Mondial, new series, issue 17, August 1981
(Klaus Fischer scoring for West Germany, May 19,
1981, West Germany 1-Brazil 2)
Brazil
tied the score in the 61st minute. Junior from the center released
Cerezo, who volleyed a hard shot from outside of the box and into the net.
Brazil
went ahead in the 74th minute. Junior took a free kick that struck
the Horizontal bar and landed behind the goal line. Some critics believed Eike
Immel (who had replaced Schumacher in the goal) should have saved that attempt
and blamed his tame effort on his inexperience.
Photo
From: Placar, Issue 576, May 29, 1981
(May 19, 1981, West
Germany 1-Brazil 2)
The
Brazilians were in general physically stronger in the second half and later
stages.
There
was more drama in the 80th minute after a penalty kick was awarded
for the Germans after Luizinho had handled in the box. Paul Breitner failed to
score from a twice taken penalty kick (Valdir Peres had moved on the first
one).
This
was West Germany’s first home defeat since April 4, 1978, when they also lost
to Brazil.
Photo
From: Placar, Issue 576, May 29, 1981
(May 19, 1981, West Germany 1-Brazil 2)
After
the match, West German Manager Juup Derwall was very gracious in defeat. He
felt they had lost to a better team and called them the best in the World.
Tele
Santana was naturally proud and impressed with his squad’s assimilation to his
attacking ideas. Brazil had shown that it could compete away from home.
Photo
From: Kicker_Wm-Sonderheft_1982
(Brazilian players celebrating, May 19, 1981, West
Germany 1-Brazil 2)
The
Tour had proven to him that Brazil were firmly one of the favorites for the
next World Cup and could defeat any team in the World.
The
inclusion of Falcao made their future prospects look brighter. The majority of
the players on this Tour made the World Cup Finals squad.
Of
course we all know the ending. This Brazil became one of the greatest teams
ever NOT to win the World Cup.
This
Tour was a stepping-stone in the creation of that excellent Team that to this
day lives in the memories of the Beautiful Game.
Photo
From: Kicker_Wm-Sonderheft_1982
(Brazil squad, May 19, 1981, West Germany 1-Brazil
2)
Note:
Some
sources reported that Brazil were scheduled to face Belgium on May 7th. For
unspecified reasons this match was called off.
The
selected squad for the European Tour:
Goalkeepers:
1-Valdir de
Arruda Peres(São Paulo Futebol Clube- São Paulo)
12- ‘Paulo
Sérgio’de Oliveira Lima (Botafogo de Futebol e
Regatas- Rio de Janeiro)
Defenders:
2-’Edevaldo’ de Freitas(Fluminense Football Club- Rio de Janeiro)
3-José ‘Oscar’ Bernardi (São Paulo Futebol Clube-
São Paulo)
4-Luiz Carlos Ferreira ‘Luizinho’ (Clube Atlético
Mineiro- Belo Horizonte)
6-Leovegildo Lins Gama
‘Júnior’ (Clube de Regatas
Flamengo- Rio de Janeiro)
14-Edino Nazareth Filho‘Edinho’ (Fluminense Football Club- Rio de Janeiro)
13- GetúlioCosta de Oliveira (São Paulo Futebol Clube- São Paulo) (did not get a agame)
Midfielders:
5-Antonio Carlos ‘Toninho Cerezo’
(Clube Atlético Mineiro- Belo Horizonte)
8-‘Sócrates’Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira
(Sport Club Corinthians Paulista- São Paulo)
10-Artur Antunes Coimbra‘Zico’ (Clube de Regatas
Flamengo- Rio de Janeiro)
7-’Paulo Isidoro’ de Jesus
(Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense)
15-Vitor Luis Pereira da Silva(Clube
de Regatas Flamengo- Rio de Janeiro)
Strikers:
9-José ‘Reinaldo’ de Lima (Clube Atlético Mineiro-
Belo Horizonte)
18-‘Éder’ Aleixo de Assis (Clube Atlético
Mineiro- Belo Horizonte)
11-José Sérgio Presti ‘Zé Sérgio’ (São Paulo Futebol Clube- São Paulo)
16-Carlos ‘Renato’ Frederico (São Paulo Futebol Clube-
São Paulo)
17- ‘César’ (Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama - Rio de Janeiro)
The
Matches on Tour:
May
12, 1981-London, Wembley Stadium
Referee: Eric Linemayr (Austria)
England 0-Brazil 1 (Zico
11)
England: 1- Ray Clemence (captain), 2- Phil Neal, 3- Kenny Sansom, 5- Alvin Martin , 4-
Bryan Robson, 6- Ray Wilkins, 7- Steve Coppell, 8- Terry Mc Dermott, 9-Peter With, 10- Graeme Rix,
11- Peter Barnes
