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92<br />
Technical and Tactical <strong>Analysis</strong><br />
Interview: Luiz Felipe Scolari<br />
Photo: Bongarts<br />
to set up a basic formation with different alternatives.<br />
Before calling up the final 23 players,<br />
I worked out every possible configuration for<br />
the World Cup. I used very technical methods<br />
to make the choice, trying to give substance<br />
to the idea that I had in mind. But at the<br />
same time, I carefully analysed each player’s<br />
personal traits– something that I believe is of<br />
fundamental importance. The player can be<br />
the best in the world but if he does not have<br />
a good character, good personality and the<br />
ability to gel with a group, he can’t help me.<br />
The personal element carried a lot of weight in<br />
my final decision. Let’s imagine the following<br />
situation. I had to choose between two players<br />
for a certain position. First of all, I analysed<br />
who would best fit into my tactical scheme.<br />
Then I examined his character and ability to<br />
work under pressure. This is how I built up my<br />
final list of players.<br />
But, apart from character, what is the secret<br />
of this group of players?<br />
Scolari: From the technical point of view, I<br />
preferred the player capable of easing into<br />
two or more positions in my tactical plan. It<br />
was something I demanded of myself. What<br />
is more, I looked for players capable of coping<br />
with the game themselves and the least rough<br />
and tough candidates possible – the opposite<br />
of what most people expect. I was convinced<br />
that this World Cup would be won through<br />
great individual play. And Brazil have the players<br />
capable of playing this way.<br />
Did you analyse the international game<br />
before leaving for Asia?<br />
Scolari: I carried out a detailed analysis. I realised<br />
that football is levelling out as each day<br />
goes by. There is more power, more speed and<br />
endless physical training. There are more and<br />
more well balanced games because the teams<br />
are physically fit and tactically similar. This is<br />
where individual and technical skills count. I<br />
was absolutely convinced of one thing - that in<br />
this World Cup, individual skills would decide<br />
the matches. And so it was. Something that<br />
everybody noticed was that some footballers<br />
scored after solo moves and clinched victory<br />
for the team in this way. But it must be remem-
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