EURO 2016 Reprezentacja Polski: IRELAND 1 - 1 POLAND

Ireland achieved a fair draw at home to a Polish team that while they were winning in the first half and scored their goal to take advantage of a clear mistake of local, it diluted in the second half against the constant thrust of the Irish, who got 1-1 in the last minutes of the game.

The first 45 minutes ended in a solitary goal in Poland thanks to a gift from Robbie Brady, which allowed the Polish team dominate the scoreboard until almost the end of the meeting.

The goal came after 27 minutes when Brady incomprehensibly made a mistake and lost the ball to Rybus, who gave the ball to Peszko to score the goal.

The goal was a successful return of Slawomir Peszko after months of absence. The Parma midfielder signed a good performance and gave to Poland an offensive force and better recovering of the ball.

While it is true that during the first part Poland caused enough problems to local, also failed to set the pace with complete clarity and the good opportunities were made by individualities rather than a collective game.

In the second half everything changed with the push of Martin O'Neill's men, especially for the bands, while Poland fell back under pressure and tried to play on the counter.

The local momentum translated into several clear chances, as he enjoyed Robbie Keane in 72', who assisted McClean who did a dangerous shot from close range that was brilliantly diverted to the post by Fabianski.

Another good opportunity for Ireland came at 82' from the left, the most active in the local attack in the second half, especially after the entry of McClean, when he left a ball in the center of the box that Keane Coleman missed.

Attempts by O'Neill finally saw his prize in the 90th minute, when Long deservedly scored the goal and saved the match for Ireland.

The goal came after locals had a corner kick. Brady sent in depth to the small area where Hoolahan left the ball to his teammate Long who kicked the ball to the net.

The result keeps Poland as leader of their qualifying group for Euro 2016, one point above Germany.

SQUADS:

Ireland: Shay Given; Seamus Coleman, John O'Shea, Marc Wilson, Robbie Brady; Wesley Hoolahan, Glenn Whelan (Long, 83 min.), James McCarthy, Aiden McGeady (McClean, 68 min.); Jon Walters, Robbie Keane.

Poland: Lukasz Fabianski; Pawel Olkowski, Lukasz Szukala, Kamil Glik, Jakub Wawrzyniak; Slawomir Peszko (Kucharczyk, 87 min.), Grzegorz Krychowiak, Tomasz Jodlowiec, Maciej Rybus; Arkadiusz Milik (Mila, min. 84), Robert Lewandowski.

FIFA Interview: Gerardo Martino, Argentina's coach.

Taking up the reins of the Argentina national side does not seem to have changed Gerardo Martino. On footballing matters, El Tata’s discourse reflects the same level of conviction he has had since the start of his career and maintained through spells with the Paraguayan national team and La Liga giants Barcelona.

Indeed, the 52-year-old supremo dotted his conversation with FIFA.com with references to his footballing “ideas”, taking for granted that, by this stage, everyone should be familiar with what they are: playing from the back; prioritising possession; pressing high; and, above all else, never ceding the initiative.

On a personal note too, that conviction in his own beliefs shines through, Martino insisting that taking La Albiceleste helm has not prevented him doing the things he enjoys: such as going to the cinema or dining out with friends. Nor does he have any problems in his native Rosario, home to the white-hot rivalry between Rosario Central and Newell’s Old Boys, despite having shone at the latter as a player and coach. “My career and my conduct means that even Central fans respect me,” he said, with a tinge of pride.

And though he insisted that he enjoys interviews “when there’s plenty of football talk”, the experienced strategist did not hold back when speaking about more personal issues, nor when asked to compare the Barcelona and Argentina dressing rooms, or when quizzed about the numerous weighty challenges on the immediate horizon.

FIFA.com: Gerardo, how do you handle the level of exposure that comes with being Argentina coach?
Gerardo Martino: It’s an issue that’s related to the role you do, but it also depends on the lifestyle you lead. The way I live my life means that there’s not much of a change between being a regular guy and the national-team coach. I’ve always lived a quiet, low-profile life and, though I’m well aware of the level of exposure that comes with the job, in that sense I don’t need to change too much.

Over the course of the eight months you’ve been in the role, have you had a sense of why it took such a toll on your predecessors? Nobody has managed a full four-year cycle in the job since Marcelo Bielsa.It’s a gruelling job that carries a significant and unique burden, but I don’t see that [coaches’ lack of longevity in role] as a widespread issue. As a general rule, Argentina coaches have brought their work to completion, some over eight years, some in four. There have been hardly any who’ve been in charge for less than that, with the exception of recent coaches, which were for isolated reasons. Everyone has every right to decide how far they can or can’t go, whether they have the energy or not, or if they need to stop and when’s the time. When you feel that you don’t have all the strength you need to carry on, it’s much more honest to step aside.

The footballing journey we want to travel on is different to the one taken under the previous regime. There’s a lot to do because the style of play is so different.

Gerardo Martino on Argentina

You were quite self-critical after your time at Barcelona ended, something you do not often see in the coaching realm. Are you like that in all aspects of your life?
I try to be self-critical in everything. After that it comes down to the conclusion drawn from the self-criticism, but I’m not prepared to sweep things under the rug if I turn out to have handled things wrongly in any area of my life. The difference with Barça is that I made the comments publicly. Others might do the same [i.e. be self-critical], but prefer to keep it quiet.

One of the lessons you have taken from your Barcelona experience is “having learned to live with star names”. Can you draw comparisons between life in theAzulgrana dressing room and the Argentina one?They are similar in terms of the players’ qualities, but the conditions are different. Argentinian players see joining up with the national team as special and nothing will stop them coming, even if they know that they won’t play. They take decisions on board because they’re rubbing shoulders with people of the same ability and because, more than anything else, [national] pride comes first. At a club like Barcelona, the difference is that the intervals [between matches] are short and the coach ends up having to reveal his hand quickly in front of the squad, because the different kind of opponents you face also have an impact. So, when you make rotations so that everyone feels comfortable and stays motivated, that all goes to pot when the first big game comes along. That’s where players say to themselves, ‘This is the reality: rotation is all well and good but for important games this’ll be the team’. And that sticks with them in the latter stages of each competition [when they say]: ‘From what I saw on matchday ten when we played Real Madrid, I know I won’t be playing in the big games.’

You’ve coached low-profile teams with small squads, a Paraguay national side in a state of transition and a star-laden Barcelona. Which is the biggest challenge: having an abundance of players to juggle or making do with a small squad?
From every viewpoint, you’ve more chance of creating a winning dynamic when you’ve an abundance of players. It has its difficulties too, but it’s clearly easier to handle. When you’re short of players, you don’t have any alternative options – you can’t use what you don’t have. In the other case it’s about management, keeping the whole squad’s morale up, making them see that they’re all important and they’ll all be involved. Being short of players is terrible, but in terms of gaining recognition, once you’ve instilled a way of playing and a commitment to your ideas, the success you have is much more noticeable than in those teams packed with star names.

How can you improve an Argentina squad that reached the FIFA World Cup™ Final?In principle, the bar’s set very high for us. That [finishing runners-up at Brazil 2014] was a very significant achievement which makes you duty-bound to perform well at upcoming competitions. However, it’s also true that the footballing journey we want to travel on is different to the one taken under the previous regime. There’s a lot to do because the style of play is so different that we obviously need to work on implementing our ideas. And that’s even with a good number of players who, with a different approach, achieved a major feat. It’s very interesting to see the transformation and evolution of the team as it moves closer to our way of playing.

Turning to the subject of set pieces. When you’re working with your team, what part do you feel they have to play?
They’re very important, but they don’t take precedence over knowing how you’re going to play. I’ve not seen any teams that don’t click at all but win through set pieces. When you have a team that manages to gel, dead-ball situations are an added extra that require some attention. I distance myself from those who think that a coach’s job purely and exclusively revolves around putting in a good cross, corner or throw-in. That’s just one way of showing the work you’ve put in.

Over the next 18 months Argentina will be involved in two Copa Americas, the start of Russia 2018 qualifying and the Olympic Football Tournament Rio de Janeiro 2016. Given how high the bar has been set, does the fact all these challenges will come thick and fast make things more difficult?Whether the games are spread out or close together, us coaches are generally judged on our results, and getting them is always necessary – even more so in Argentina. What would be enjoyable would be getting good results via a playing philosophy that’s been understood, followed through, that we’re all committed to and which we enjoy, and beating our opponents that way. The good thing about these competitions coming one after the other is that we’re going to get much more stable and continuous contact with the players, and that’ll be a great advantage when it comes to instilling my ideas.

Credits to FIFA.com

Ekstraklasa: Match Day 26

The next match day in the Polish Ekstraklasa will be exciting as most of the matches in this league.

On April 4th, there will be 4 matches to play.

Krakow v Lechia

This game will be an important mission for Cracovia Kraków to secure the spot in the league. They are at home and need a win in this struggle for survival. In the other hand, Lechia Gdańsk have won 3 games in a row which shows the good football they are playing.

My prediction for this game is: Draw or Lechia win.

Śląsk v Podbeskidzie

Śląsk now in the 4th place will try to win to left behind Jagiellonia. They have 4 games without winning, so the task is to recover confidence at home. Moreover, Podbeskidzie is only 3 points below Śląsk, so a victory will tie them. 

My prediction for this game is: Draw

Bełchatów v Lech

Bełchatów is having a disappointing season, now in the 13th place. They have lost 3 games in a row and in the Relegation round zone. In the other side, Lech Poznan is fighting for the 1st place as they won last game to Legia Warszawa. 

My prediction for this game is: Lech victory.

Legia v Piast

Legia Warszawa, the current leader, hosts a game against 12th place, Piast Gliwice. The team managed by Radoslav Látal needs a victory in their aspirations to go away from the Relegation round. They have 4 matches without a victory. Legia being the first place, with 51 goals scored is a true candidate for the title.

My prediction for this game is: Legia victory.

The games to play on April 6th are:

Korona v Łęczna

This game is that type of matches called in South America as "6 points matches" because the teams are close enough that a winner will create a gap of points between them. Korona Kielce in their last 2 games at home haven't been able to achieve a victory. However, Łęczna lost in their visit to Jagiellonia. 

My prediction for this game is: Draw or Korona victory.

Gornik Z v Ruch

The Zabrze team is in the edge of the Championship Round. Last 2 matches at home have been draws, so this match is a good opportunity to change the trend. Ruch Chorzów have had a poor season being in the 15th place most of the season. However, in the last visit (to Bełchatów), they won.

My prediction for this game is: Draw or Gornik Zabrze victory.

Jagiellonia v Wisła

Maybe one of the most promising matches in this round. Jagiellonia have one of the top scorers of the tournament, Mateusz Piątkowski. However, in the last 5 matches, they have won only 2. Wisła, the 5th place, has a wonderful opportunity to achieve a better position in the league. They had a victory last game to Cracovia Krakow. 

My prediction for this game is: Jagiellonia victory.

Last game is: 

Zawisza  v Pogoń Szczecin

Both teams fighting in the same Relegation Round zone. Zawisza being the last place have earned 13 of their current 23 points in the last 5 games. In those 5 games, they are the best team of the league winning 13 out 15 points. However, they are still 4 points below Ruch. Meanwhile, Pogoń is trying to enter in the Championship round winning this game. They have the opportunity to get a victory against the worst defence of the tournament.

My prediction for this game is: Draw or Zawisza victory.



Let's keep in touch, friends. Comments below. Dzień dobry for everyone.

FIFA interviews: Carlo Ancelotti

Hi guys!

I present you a brilliant interview made by FIFA.com to Carlo Ancelotti, current trainer of Spanish Real Madrid. Enjoy it!

FIFA.com: Carlo, there’s a lot that has been said about you and your working methods but, in your view, who is the real Carlo Ancelotti?
Carlo Ancelotti: I’m just a coach who really likes his job, who still has fun, and who tries to have a good, close relationship with his players. Someone who, by working alongside them, aims to achieve the goals the club expects of us.

In the ultra-professional modern game, how hard is it to have fun with your players?
It isn’t hard. Over the course of my career I’ve worked at the very highest levels with the most responsible and professional players around. I’d say that the higher the level [they play at], the more responsible and professional they are. That makes everything pretty simple, especially at Real Madrid. Here I’ve found a group of very focused, very motivated players, who work well as a team. They get on really well with each other and that makes everything more straightforward.

I’d say that the higher the level [they play at], the more responsible and professional they are. That makes everything pretty simple, especially at Real Madrid.

Carlo Ancelotti

What do you place most importance on: the mental, tactical or technical side of the game?
I think that in football, at this moment in time, the mental side of the game is most important. It’s vital to keep everyone in the squad motivated, even those who aren’t playing. Then comes the tactical side too, building a team that puts the idea of playing as a unit, as a group, first, and then comes convincing great players that they need to harness their individual qualities for the good of the team.

You have answered the call of clubs such as AC Milan, Chelsea, PSG and now Real Madrid, with the pressure to win trophies ever-present. What’s the hardest thing about tackling challenges of this size? 
For a coach, the most important thing is the relationship he can forge with his players. You might come in with your ideas in mind, but then it comes down to them to put them into practice on the pitch. If you’ve a good relationship, then footballers take on board your ideas more easily. So, that’s the hardest part. Then of course, at Real Madrid you have to win, at PSG you have to win… but it’s also the case that every team has its objectives: whether it’s avoiding relegation or winning the European Cup. That’s why I feel that, whatever level you’re at, coaches all face similar problems.

If you had to pick out just one moment of a success-packed 2014, what would it be and why?
I think that the key clash of our season was [the final of] the Copa del Rey against Barcelona, in Valencia [Editor’s note: Madrid won 2-1 via a late Gareth Bale strike]. Although the most beautiful moment was, without a doubt, the Champions League final in Lisbon where, after such a long wait, we claimed La Décima [a tenth European Cup/Champions League title] for Real Madrid.

In that final Madrid overcame Atletico Madrid, whose coach Diego Simeone was, like you, a finalist for the World Coach of the Year award. What can you tell us about El Cholo?
He’s had an incredible season. He had a fairly unheralded team and, thanks to his ability, determination and character, took them to the top of the Spanish league. Fortunately he didn’t win the Champions League too (laughs), but he’s able to instil his strength of character into his team and that’s what enabled them to go all the way to the final.

He’s a player who’s a one-off in terms of professionalism and responsibility, even at this level.

Carlo Ancelotti on Cristiano Ronaldo

The continental title earned Madrid a place at the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco. What was your verdict on victory at that competition?
In Italy we’d say it was “la ciliegia sulla torta” (the cherry on the cake). The cake was winning the Champions League and then we took the cherry too, which was the Club World Cup. It’s a major trophy which only the champions of each region compete for. I’d say it crowned a fantastic year and of course we really wanted to win it.

You drew praise in Argentina for shaking hands with each of the players of losing finalists San Lorenzo after the title decider in Morocco. Why do you think that gesture caught the eye so much? 
I don’t know. In my view, at least with coaches at this level, there’s a lot of mutual respect. Sometimes we might have differences of opinion, particularly during a football match, when there can be a lot of tension, nerves and the odd misunderstanding, but in general there’s a lot of respect. I’d say that my gesture was seen as part of that.

Changing the subject somewhat, how would you describe Cristiano Ronaldo? 
A lot of people would be really surprised by him. As I’ve said many times before, he’s a player who’s a one-off in terms of professionalism and responsibility, even at this level. He was born with extraordinary talent, but he squeezes the juice from and works on that talent thanks to a level of drive I’ve seen in few other players.

You once said that Zinedine Zidane was the player you most enjoyed watching, but is Cristiano up there too?
That’s right! (Laughs) Zidane was the player I most enjoyed in training, but Ronaldo’s the one I enjoy most in matches – he scores in virtually every game!

One final question before you go, will we ever see you take charge of La Nazionale?
I’d like to… (pauses for thought). In Italy the story goes that we reach the World Cup Final every 12 years: we did so in 1970, ’82, ’94 and in 2006. If that continues then we’ll reach the final again in 2018, though I think [Antonio] Conte will still be in charge then. Then we’ve another story: we play the Final every 12 years but only win it every 24. We did it in 1982 and 2006 so, following that pattern, Italy will win it next in 2030. I’ll be 71 then, so I’ve still got time…

Source: Fifa.com

Entendiendo a la CONCACAF parte I

Entendiendo a la CONCACAF parte I

La CONCACAF es La Confederación de Fútbol de Norte, Centroamérica y el Caribe (en inglés Confederation Of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football). 

La CONCACAF está compuesta por 40 asociaciones, todas estás compiten entre sí por cada torneo, o competición que existe impuesta por la FIFA que es quien regula el futbol mundial.

Ahora, vayamos un poco más allá entendiendo quién es la CONCACAF, como usted sabe, la CONCACAF nunca ha producido un campeón mundial en futbol varonil, excepto México, 2 ocasiones en el Mundial Sub-17. 
México es el único que ha ganado unos Juegos Olímpicos y una Copa Confederaciones.

Pero aparte de eso qué mas hay en la Concacaf... empecemos con los países por zona geográfica.

En Norteamérica tenemos a Canadá, Estados Unidos y México.

Canadá, es un país en donde el futbol no es relevante, ha tenido escuadras modestas en toda su historia y nunca ha llegado a un Hexagonal Final. Cabe decir que en el año 2000 ganó la Copa Oro, el equivalente de Concacaf a la EuroCopa. 

Se me vienen a la mente algún puñado de 3 o 4 canadienses destacados en la historia. Fue eliminado para este mundial de Brasil por Honduras, en la difícil cancha de San Pedro Sula por marcador de 8-1.

Estados Unidos

Los norteamericanos, un archirival de los mexicanos, un equipo que en el siglo XX tuvo actuaciones regulares a lo largo de su historia, por ahí algún mundial que vencieron a Inglaterra. Desde a finales de los 90s se vio la mano del dinero y los promotores deportivos y ahora Estados Unidos ha ganado varias Copas Oro, llegó a la final de la Copa Confederaciones del 2009 venciendo en semifinales a la que sería campeona del mundo España.

Tenemos que reconocer que Estados Unidos tiene una mentalidad europea, un estilo de juego similar al británico, con defensas altos y robustos, algún delantero rápido y gente de fuerza y nivel en mediocampo.

Creo que todos ubicamos a Landon Donovan o Claudio Reyna como grandes jugadores de la selección norteamericana.

Algún día escuché por ahí, que México y Estados Unidos eran 2 peces muy grandes para la pecera tan pequeña.

Los norteamericanos tienen un equipo de nivel y de respetarse. Su actual técnico Klinsmann les ha implantado un sello europeo muy interesante.

Pasamos a México.

Y tenemos un caso, muy particular, el siempre autonombrador Gigante de la Concacaf, con la liga más mediática de Concacaf. Actual vencedor de la Copa Oro. Es un equipo histórico de la región, ganador, con presencia en Sudamerica a veces junto a Estados Unidos y Costa Rica en la Copa América de los vecinos sudamericanos. 

Históricamente, México ha sido el rival a vencer por Centroamérica, tenemos el caso del famoso Aztecazo, aquel triunfo 2-1 de Costa Rica en el implacable Estadio Azteca de la Ciudad de México. O las derrotas mexicanas en San Salvador en la eliminatoria para Sudáfrica y en San Pedro Sula, Honduras en esa misma trayectoria.

México es un equipo considerado grande, pero a ciencia cierta, a mi parecer, es grande porque sus rivales no son de alto nivel. Un claro ejemplo son los mundiales, se ve como los representantes de Concacaf están muy por debajo de Sudamérica o Europa. En Asia, Japón y Corea han llegado a lugares muy interesantes que la Concacaf rara vez llega. 

Un equipo competitivo sin duda alguna, del que hablaré más adelante.

Centroamérica

Un conjunto de paises muy apasionados por el futbol, donde se come y respira futbol, Honduras y Costa Rica son los grandes equipos de Centroamérica que siempre dan de que hablar en el entorno, aquella Costa Rica del mundial del 90 que sorprendió a propios y extraños. Honduras siempre ha sido férreo, lástima que en Sudáfrica, pagaron cara la novatez. Y en Brasil, no levantaron el rumbo. 

Entrevista a Hulk.

Entrevistas Futbol Mundial 

Hola amigos lectores, les comparto una entrevista a Hulk.

Cortesia de la página de la FIFA. 

Hulk: "Me adapto rápido a todo"

(FIFA.com) Lunes 15 de octubre de 2012

El frío, el idioma, las diferencias culturales: todos estos elementos podrían ser motivos para que el brasileño Givanildo Vieira de Souza, más conocido como Hulk, tuviese problemas para adaptarse a su nuevo hogar, Rusia, donde defiende los colores del Zenit de San Petersburgo desde principios de septiembre.

Pero, en el caso de este delantero oriundo de Campina Grande (estado de Paraíba), el concepto de tener dificultades para adaptarse a algo, simplemente, no existe. Nunca ha existido. Desde bien joven, el atacante de la Seleção aprendió que, en su caso, las oportunidades no llegarían por el camino fácil, sino que sería él quien tendría que ir en su busca. Y, a veces, muy lejos. Habla de eso y de otros temas en esta entrevista con FIFA.com.
¿Cómo fue la experiencia de irse a Japón tan joven?
Cuando llegué, era totalmente distinto a lo que imaginaba. A los 18 años, pensaba que la adaptación me iba a resultar difícil, pero fue muy fácil. Encontré un país que lo ofrecía todo, con una gran estructura. Y, en los clubes en los que jugué, siempre había brasileños para ayudarme.

Y antes pasó por Portugal, siendo todavía juvenil…Exactamente. Fui a Portugal con 15 años. En aquel momento estaba en el Corinthians, en São Paulo, haciendo una prueba, y mi representante me llamó: “vamos para Portugal”. Hice las maletas y allá fui. Pasé un año y aprendí bastante: vivía y me entrenaba con el plantel profesional.
¿No haber jugado en Brasil hace que sea más complicado ganarse el cariño de los seguidores de la selección?
Bueno, un poco, porque incluso hoy en día, después de haber jugado muchos partidos con la selección, todavía surgen dudas, ¿no? No todo el mundo me conoce, ni sabe cómo juego. Me fui de Brasil muy pronto: solamente jugué 70 y pico minutos como profesional. Así que es normal que haya esos interrogantes cuando se habla de mí.
¿Cuántos minutos como profesional?
(risas) Es así, fueron 70 y pico. Debuté contra el Fluminense, en el Barradão, entré en el segundo tiempo, y el otro partido fue contra el Internacional, en el Beira-Rio. Perdimos 2-1, pero tuve una buena actuación.
¿En aquella época, tácticamente, ya jugaba más o menos de la misma manera que hoy?
Ha cambiado un poco, por la forma en que acostumbran a jugar los equipos brasileños, que recurren más al 4-4-2, mientras que en Europa, en general, se utiliza más el 4-3-3. Así que aquí acabo jugando más abierto a las bandas.
Pero nunca ha sido un delantero centro puro, ni siquiera en Brasil, ¿no?
No, nunca he sido delantero centro. Siempre más un segundo punta, que se escora a las bandas, se mueve, va a buscar el balón. Pero en Europa pasé a jugar todavía más abierto. Aunque he actuado muchas veces como ariete, por el centro.
¿Y siempre más a la derecha, a pesar de ser zurdo?
Sí, siempre. Ha sido natural. Siempre me ha gustado jugar por ese lado y, por suerte, siempre he tenido entrenadores que me han ayudado. Jesualdo Ferreira, por ejemplo, fue uno de los que más me ayudaron cuando llegué a Europa: habló mucho conmigo, y consiguió que me sintiese muy cómodo dentro y fuera de la cancha.
¿Cuál fue la diferencia que más le llamó la atención al dejar Asia para ir a jugar en Europa?
En Europa, existe un gran respeto por la disposición táctica. Los jugadores respetan más sus funciones dentro del campo. Así que, al llegar, tuve algunas dificultades, porque me encontraba con que tenía que bajar mucho a defender. Ahora ya me resulta más sencillo hacerlo.
Su porte físico engaña a mucha gente: parece que usted es solo un jugador fuerte, y no veloz y habilidoso, a pesar de que sí lo es…
Cierto. Como no me conocen, a veces el físico transmite una impresión incorrecta: “ah, entonces será de un estilo más de ir al choque”, cuando en realidad yo nunca he sido de los que buscan el choque, sino que me gusta jugar: tocar el balón, subir… Solo de chutar fuerte, y eso ya me viene de pequeño. (risas)
¿Y cómo le pusieron este apodo?
Fue de niño, a los tres años, porque me gustaba mucho ese personaje, Hulk, y le decía a mi padre que yo era fuerte, que tenía esa fuerza. Y ahí mi padre dijo: “vale, entonces eres Hulk”. Y me quedó, hasta hoy. Para ayudar, al crecer me hice fuerte, así que me ha venido bien. (risas)
Por otro lado, a pesar de todas esas dudas de la afición, no le ha costado mucho ganarse la confianza de Mano Menezes, ¿no?
Creo que la principal prueba de eso es que me llevase a los Juegos Olímpicos, y más aún como uno de los tres jugadores por encima del límite de 23 años. Me alegré mucho por eso. Por desgracia, no conseguimos llevarnos el oro, pero fue una oportunidad que procuré aprovechar al máximo.
¿Le sorprendió verse en la convocatoria?
Al principio del año, por ejemplo, ni me imaginaba que tendría esa oportunidad. Pero después de los dos amistosos de mediados de año [contra Dinamarca, Estados Unidos, México y Argentina] ya empecé a pensar que mi nombre podría estar en la lista.
Al llegar al Zenit, habló mucho de las aspiraciones del club de confeccionar un gran equipo. ¿Qué aspectos de ese proyecto le llamaron la atención?
Durante todo el mercado de fichajes se mencionó mi nombre en varias posibles operaciones, el interés de varios clubes grandes, pero las ofertas no me interesaban, ni tampoco al FC Porto. Y yo ya había hablado con [Luciano] Spalletti incluso antes de firmar por el Zenit. Me habló muy bien del club, de la gran estructura que tiene y el proyecto de montar un gran equipo. Y, al llegar, pude comprobar que así era, con una gran estructura y un proyecto ambicioso. Estoy convencido de que, en el futuro, el Zenit va a ser uno de los grandes equipos de Europa.
Para esta temporada, ¿cuál es el gran objetivo del equipo?
Ganar la liga rusa es importante, claro, pero creo que la gran meta es hacer un buen papel en la Liga de Campeones: aunque hemos perdido los dos primeros partidos, todavía no hay nada perdido. Tenemos las condiciones y la calidad necesaria para pasar de fase.
Usted disputó la Liga de Campeones de la UEFA en cuanto llegó al FC Porto. ¿Es un torneo especial para los equipos del continente?
Llegué al club e inmediatamente ya jugué en la Champions. Es el torneo más importante, siempre, porque sabemos que reúne a los mejores equipos y jugadores. Es estupendo participar en él. Y más aún en los casos, por ejemplo, de equipos de Portugal y Rusia, cuyas ligas no se transmiten por todo el mundo, a diferencia de las de Inglaterra, Italia, etc. Y no voy a desaparecer, eso seguro: voy a estar marcando goles y actuando siempre. Mano siempre nos dice a todos que está atento en todo momento, sea cual sea la liga y el equipo.
Ya ha explicado que su adaptación a Japón fue fácil. Ahora, ¿qué dificultades ha tenido para adaptarse a Rusia?
Sinceramente, ninguna: la ciudad es una de las más bonitas que he conocido. Y todavía no lo he visto todo, pero, solo de camino al centro de entrenamiento, lo poco que he visto es increíble. Y el club cuenta con buenas instalaciones. Así que lo cierto es que no tengo problemas.
Haberse marchado muy joven de casa, y después de Brasil, ¿le ayuda a adaptarse sin sobresaltos a cambios tan drásticos?
Sí, sin duda. Al haberme ido de casa muy pronto, me adapto rápidamente a cualquier cosa. Porque para quien va a Japón con 18 años y se adapta, lo demás son menudencias. (risas)

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