Dunga: “I consider myself the first person to blame for this elimination.”

Brazil manager, Carlos Dunga, who played for many years in the Italian Serie A, responded directly after the elimination by the Netherlands to the Milan sports daily, La Gazzetta dello Sport. Former Selecao star, Ronaldo, weighed in with heavy criticism on Dunga and Felipe Melo. Romario, Dunga’s teammate on the 1994 Brazilian team, also provided a concise analysis.

Brazilian keeper, Julio Cesar, gave his thoughts on the first goal. Juventus man, Felipe Melo, thought that Wesley Sneijder‘s goal didn’t touch him and feels vindicated with his overall World Cup performance. He doesn’t care what people think of him.

Dunga Accepts Full Responsibility

Siamo molto tristi, non ce lo aspettavamo di uscire così“.

La responsabilità è mia sia dei momenti belli che quelli brutti. Mi considero il primo colpevole di questa eliminazione. Dalla programmazione in poi ho deciso tutto io, rispettando il lavoro della stampa. Dando risposte alle domande. Non abbiamo fatto niente di strano rispetto alle altre edizioni del Mondiale“.

“We are very sad. We didn’t expect to go out this way.”

“The responsibility is mine in the best and worst moments. I consider myself the first person to blame for this elimination. From the preparations, I decided everything myself respecting the work of the press. Giving answers to questions. We didn’t do anything strange in respect to other editions of the World Cup.”

Abbiamo lavorato per un risultato diverso. E’ stata una partita difficile e particolare. Abbiamo fatto bene nel primo tempo nel secondo è cambiato tutto e non siamo riusciti a tenere la continuità, la stessa concentrazione. Certi errori al Mondiale li paghi, decidono i dettagli e non siamo riusciti a conquistare il nostro obiettivo di diventare campioni del mondo“.

“We worked for a different result. It was a difficult and unique game. We did well in the first half. In the second half, everything changed and we weren’t able to maintain continuity or the same concentration. You pay for certain errors at the World Cup. Details decide and we were not able to conquer our objective to become world champions.”

Dunga Defends His Players

Gli olandesi mettevano pressione all’arbitro per certe decisioni. Non è una scusa sono cose che succedono ma solo chi sta nel campo può capire che succede. Gilberto Silva? È stato in tutto il torneo tra i più regolari, basta vedere le pagelle. Fare un altro cambio per cambiare gara? Con un giocatore in meno è difficile ragionare sui cambi. Ho scelto Nilmar per dare velocità in attacco. Dani Alves doveva darci una mano in mezzo, rimanere vicino a Gilberto Silva.

I cambi negli ultimi minuti non sempre danno i risultati. Ci prepariamo sempre per vincere. Logicamente il nervosismo è arrivato perchè l’Olanda è cresciuta nel secondo tempo. La partita stava cambiano a loro favore. Molti giocatori sono venuti qui e l’hanno vista come una grande occasione per entrare nel calcio brasiliano. Quando le situazioni cambiano ti viene paura di perdere. La squadra non riesce a fare quello che ha fatto in allenamento. Questo ti dà ovviamente nervosismo in più”.

 

Arjen Robben angered Robinho with his antics
Arjen Robben angered Robinho with his antics

“The Dutch put pressure on the referee on certain decisions. It is not an excuse since they are things that happen but only who is on the pitch can understand what happens. Gilberto Silva? He was one of the most consistent players in the entire tournament. It was enough to see his game ratings. To make another change to alter the match? With a man down, it is difficult to account for changes. I selected Nilmar to give more pace in attack. Dani Alves had to give a hand in the middle to remain close to Gilberto Silva.

Changes in the last few minutes don’t always provide results. We always prepare to win. Logically, nervousness arrived because Holland grew in the second half. The game was changing in their favor. Many players came here and saw what a great occasion it was to enter into Brazilian football. When the situations change, you fear losing. The team was able to do what it did in training. This obviously makes you more nervous.”

Felipe Melo and Julio Cesar gifted Wesley Sneijder a goal for the Netherlands
Felipe Melo and Julio Cesar gifted Wesley Sneijder a goal for the Netherlands

Felipo Melo and Dunga Criticized by Ronaldo

Felipe Melo non venga a fare le vacanze in Brasile“. Tramite Twitter, Ronaldo individua il principale colpevole dell’eliminazione della Seleçao, centrocampista della Juventus che, prima di farsi espellere per un fallaccio su Robben, ha firmato l’autorete dell’1-1. Nell’occasione del pareggio Ronaldo commenta:

Non riesco a credere alla mancanza di comunicazione fra Julio e Felipe. Quando esce Julio urla sempre, ma in quella occasione sono andati entrambi sulla palla.”

Translation:

“Felipe Melo, don’t come on vacation in Brazil.” Transmitted on Twitter, Ronaldo singled out the prime guilty party of the Brazilian elimination. The Juventus midfielder, who prior to being red card for the nasty foul on Robben, scored the own-goal equalizer. On the action of the equalizer, Ronaldo commented:

I can’t believe in the lack of communication between Julio and Felipe. When he comes off the line, Julio always shouts. But in that occasion, they both went for the ball.”

Romario Weighs In

Gli olandesi hanno approfitatto degli spazi lasciati in campo dai nostri.”

Afferma Romario, critico nei confronti della decisione di Carlos Dunga di togliere Luis Fabiano (e non Kakà) per Nilmar.

Translation:

“The Dutch took advantage of the space left on the pitch by our guys.”

Affirmed Romario, critical on the decision by Carlos Dunga to take off Luis Fabiano (and not Kaka’) for Nilmar.

Note: Romario was a teammate of Dunga on the 1994 World Cup champion team and also played part of his career in the Netherlands.

The usually sure-handed Julio Cesar accepted blame for the first goal
The usually sure-handed Julio Cesar accepted blame for the first goal

Julio Cesar Gives a Mea Culpa

Io e Felipe Melo non ci siamo coordinati. Ho sbagliato. Il primo gol dell’Olanda è stato un grande colpo per la squadra. Offro la mia faccia agli schiaffi. Il gruppo era molto fiducioso nell’hexa (sesto titolo mondiale, ndr). Nessuno aspettava questo risultato, ma nel calcio queste cose capitano. La nazionale entra alle competizoni solo per vincere. Ma dobbiamo uscire a testa alta“.

“Felipe Melo and I weren’t coordinated. I was wrong. The first goal by Holland was a great shock for the team. I offer myself for the insults. The group was very confident to win our 6th World Cup. Nobody expected this result but in football, these things happen. The national team enters competitions only to win. But we ought to leave with our heads held high.”

Felipe Melo: “I don’t give a damn what people think of me.”

Il primo non penso sia stato un autogol, non ricordo di aver toccato la palla. Penso che questo è un momento brutto della mia carriera, un momento da dimenticare. Comunque ho fatto un buon Mondiale e non me ne frega niente di quello che la gente pensa di me, so delle mie qualità, della mia forza, so che la gente che capisce di calcio conosce la mia forza. Quindi, della gente che dice brutte cose, che dice brutte parole, che viene allo stadio per dire delle brutte cose, non me ne frega niente”.

 

Felipe Melo saw red for a stamp on Arjen Robben
Felipe Melo saw red for a stamp on Arjen Robben

“I thought that the first was not an own goal. I don’t remember having touched the ball. I think that this is the worst moment of my career. A moment to forget. Anyway, I had a good World Cup and I don’t give a damn what people think of me. I only know of my own qualities and of my strength. I know that people who understand football know my strength. Therefore, regarding people who say bad things, who say cruel words, who come to the stadium only to say ugly things, I don’t give a damn.”

Italian source: La Gazzetta dello Sport, July 2, 2010.

Notes

  • This was the first time that Brazil was defeated with Kaka’ and Robinho playing together for Dunga. According to ESPN, they had won 30 with four draws before this match.
  • Upon review, Wesley Sneijder was given credit for the first goal by the Netherlands. Straight after the game, La Gazzetta dello Sport from Milan thought that Felipe Melo put the ball into his own net.

Steve Amoia is a freelance writer, editor and translator from Washington, D.C. He writes the World Football Commentaries blog. He has written for AC Cugini Scuola Calcio (Italian soccer school), Football Media, Keeper Skool and Soccerlens.

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