Scolari lashes out as Brazil adapt to ‘underdog’ status
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari vents his anger at reporters ahead of Colombia clash
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari told reporters to "go to hell" during a tense press conference on the eve of his side’s quarter-final clash with Colombia.
The World Cup hosts find themselves in the strange predicament of being slight underdogs for the match after their less than impressive performances to date. Only the underside of the crossbar kept them in the competition in last week's Last 16 tie with Chile in which Mauricio Pinilla’s thumping shot rattled the bar in the dying moments of extra-time.
Brazil had goalkeeper Julio Cesar to thank for seeing them through the penalty shoot-out but the fact remains this generation of Samba Boys is a pale imitation of previous tournaments.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Colombia, on the other hand, have lit up the World Cup and in 22-year-old striker James Rodriguez they have the tournament’s top scorer. His five goals included a wondrous effort in their 2-0 defeat of Uruguay in the last round.
The pressure is therefore building on Brazil ahead of Friday night’s clash in Fortaleza. The 65-year-old Scolari responded angrily when some reporters questioned why they had been barred from attending the press briefing earlier in the week. "If you don’t like it, go to hell," growled the man who led Brazil to World Cup glory in the 2002 tournament.
Scolari believes that "Brazil continue to have one hand on the trophy", and said that the team "were going on to the fifth step and there are seven steps."
The Brazil coach, who appears to be more confident than the press that his team will beat Colombia, was also quizzed on his extensive use of sports psychologist Regina Brandao, a visitor to the Brazilian training camp following their nervy win over Chile. "She will come again on Sunday and Monday," said Scolari,’ who has no intention of dropping her. "I admire psychologists. She has participated in a nice way. That’s it. The players love to talk. She isn’t even paid to do this."
Brazil captain Thiago Silva also came under scrutiny during the press conference with some journalists questioning whether he had the composure to skipper his country through the world’s most important football tournament. Silva was seen crying during the penalty shoot-out, but the Paris Saint-German defender retorted: "'I don’t care what people think because no one knows me. I just think about my job. This is the way I am. I am emotional and it’s a natural thing for a human being to be emotional."
The last time Brazil lost a competitive match on home soil was a 3-1 defeat to Peru in the 1975 Copa America semi-final, and it’s 12 years since they were beaten in Brazil (a friendly against Paraguay). Colombia pose a serious threat to that record but Scolari is confident his team will come good when it counts. "Our population, our supporters, don’t expect any different," he said.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Pelé obituary: remembering the greatest footballer of all time
Why Everyone’s Talking About The Brazilian footballer, who died aged 82, was blessed with extraordinary skill in every aspect of the game
By The Week Staff Published
-
Iconic soccer legend Pelé dead at 82
Speed Read
By Rafi Schwartz Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Bank holidays and boycotts: are MPs trying to jinx England?
Speed Read Declaring a bank holiday would be ‘tempting fate’, says Boris Johnson
By The Week Staff Published
-
Weightlifting: Olympic Games set for transgender first
Speed Read New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will make history at Tokyo 2020
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: Champions League expansion plan to be agreed
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Joachim Low and the Lions women’s team
By Mike Starling Published