[國家] Scolari ready to go again
http://www.uefa.com/magazine/news/kind=4/newsid=674531.html
Scolari ready to go again
Thursday 20 March 2008
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According to Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, Wednesday's friendly with
Greece will have "mystical" qualities. The 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning coach
has faced his Greek counterpart Otto Rehhagel three times and is yet to come
out on top. The two sides have not met since Greece won the final of UEFA EURO
2004 in Lisbon and with UEFA EURO 2008 fast approaching, this is a chance for
Portugal to put that defeat behind them. As Scolari tells uefa.com, the
opportunity to pit his wits against Rehhagel again is also a challenge he is
relishing.
uefa.com: We are two months away from UEFA EURO 2008. What is the next stage
in your preparations?
Luiz Felipe Scolari: It will continue to be player observation. We want to
know what stage they're at and how they're playing so we can use them
properly according to what they are doing at their clubs. I hope they will
all be 100 per cent fit for the tournament.
uefa.com: Can we expect many surprises in your squad or is it pretty much
settled in your mind?
Scolari: There is room for some surprises because of injuries and other
setbacks. We can have one or two surprises, that's normal. I've been doing
that with the goalkeepers. I always try to think in the future and call up
young talents. I will only unveil the team on the 12 May. From that moment,
every player picked will be important for our results. We don't have many
options for different positions. We have lots of quality but we just don't
have the same range of choice like Brazil, Argentina, Italy, France, Spain or
Germany.
uefa.com: Do you think the supporters high expectations after reaching a
final and a semi-final in the last two big competitions could make life
difficult for you?
Scolari: We are not the best in the world simply because we finished second
in 2004 and fourth in the 2006 World Cup. We were very good in those two
events but everyone knows what we had to endure to achieve that. Results are
not born out of history, especially not from a history as small as ours. The
secret, which is also the most difficult thing, is to maintain the highest
standards in every competition we enter. We are on the right path but it's
only the beginning. If we think too much about the past, we will lose in the
present.
uefa.com: What does it take to win a major tournament?
Scolari: It is important to play like a team. The players should work for the
group because sometimes we have great players but we don't have a good group.
The best example of a great group was Greece during 2004. The coach should
help the team think as a group and self-interest should be forgotten.
uefa.com: What was Greece's biggest strength in 2004?
Scolari: They played with great team spirit. They knew their weaknesses and
made the most of their strengths. They worked hard at free-kicks and corners
and won some matches through them.
uefa.com: Are you looking forward to facing Otto Rehhagel again in Dusseldorf?
Scolari: I am very pleased to face Otto again. Our teams have played three
times recently and we have an excellent relationship. Of course I was
disappointed after losing the EURO 2004 final but I have always had a good
relationship with Otto. It is a mystical match because I have not won against
them. Besides that it is important to see how we react against a compact
team.
uefa.com: Portugal are one of the favourites to win UEFA EURO 2008. If
Portugal don't win, who do you think will?
Scolari: Portugal are not one of the favourites. I think we are among the
four, five or six teams who can vie for the title. To me the great favourites
are the traditional teams who have participated in five or six EURO and World
Cup finals such as Italy, Germany and France.
uefa.com: How do you handle the pressure of a major tournament?
Scolari: Coaches have to absorb the pressure instead of transferring it to
the players. They already have enough pressure from their clubs and their
club coaches. This is the moment for them to work and live for their country.
It is important they play with great joy and commitment and without great
pressure from their national coach.
uefa.com: Is Cristiano Ronaldo the best player of the world at the moment?
Scolari: In my opinion he is in the top five. If he continues to grow as a
player and as a man, I'm sure he will stay their.
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