Friday 4 July 2014

Luiz: Brazil not winning the World Cup will be a failure

Luiz: Brazil not winning the World Cup will be a failure
David Luiz has admitted that if Brazil do not win the World Cup on home turf it will be considered a failure.

The Selecao are under pressure to win a record sixth title in front of their fans this summer, with Luiz Felipe Scolari’s team having already progressed to the quarter-final stage of the competition.

Brazil will have to beat an impressive Colombia side in Fortaleza on Friday if they want to book their place in the semi-finals but Luiz says the players will deliver for the fans.



When asked about the expectations on the team at the World Cup, Luiz told The Times of India: “We need to win, that's our life. All the Brazilian people are expecting it; we have to deliver.

“But, we have a manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari, who has won it and done it before and that helps. He has been fantastic for us.”

Brazil had to overcome a tough last-16 tie against Chile, which the Selecao won on penalties, to reach the quarter-finals.

The team has been criticised for their lack of flair in comparison to previous Brazil sides, but Luiz arugued that what the squad lacked in firepower in the attacking areas, they made up for in defence.

“I know what everyone used to say - that all Brazilians want to be Pele or Zico and don't think about defending or about tactics,” the centre-back said.

“But, world football has changed because many Brazilian players are now playing in Europe. These guys are used to different formations, different styles.

“There are many, many names of top quality in our defence now, and it means Brazil are no longer known just for their strikers but for being a great team.”

Luiz endured a difficult season at Chelsea last year with the 27-year-old not being part of manager Jose Mourinho's first-choice central defensive pairing.

Despite his form for his club side last term, the defender admitted that he was grateful to have been called up to represent Brazil at the World Cup by Scolari.

"It made me think back to when I was a boy, dreaming of playing in the World Cup” he said.

“I'm just so happy that my dream came true and I have to say 'thank you' to so many people who helped me in my career.”

Luiz will be playing for French champions Paris Saint-Germain next season after Chelsea agreed a £40m fee with the Ligue 1 side.

And the Brazilian has revealed his happiness at the move to France and is confident his compatriots at the club will help him fit in.

“Right from the very first contact I had with Paris Saint-Germain, I was very happy,” he said.

“It's a big club with a great history and [is] a huge project. It has fantastic facilities and a lot of supporters.

“It's a new step in my life and I'm impatient to play for Paris and show what I can do. I also can't wait to play with my new team-mates - the Brazilians, of course - but also everybody else.”

He added: “The fact that so many Brazilians already play for Paris Saint-Germain will be a big help, without doubt.”

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