25/06/2005
Brazil v Germany game 'more important for Germany': Parreira
Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira
suggested that Saturday's Confederations Cup semi-final with Germany was
more important for the home side than for the five-time World Cup
winners.
Parreira said that because Germany were automatically qualified for the
World Cup they were having to prepare for the finals in 12 months' time
on a diet of friendly matches, so the Brazil match would give them a
tougher test.
"The match is useful for both teams," Parreira told a press conference.
"Germany need to show they are ready for the World Cup. We need to see
if we are on the right path.
"Germany need this match because they are already qualified and they are
not going to have a chance to play against many strong teams."
He said he was satisified that the tournament had shown that his team
were making a transition to a more attacking style.
"If you look at the statistics, we are the team which has created the
most chances."
The Brazil players, including World Footballer of the Year Ronaldinho,
spent 30 minutes of their training session at the Frankenstadion on
penalty kicks.
Asked if this meant he was expecting the match to end in a penalty
shootout, Parreira said the practise had been "just in case".
The other semi-final pits Argentina against Mexico in Hannover on Sunday,
with the final in Frankfurt on Wednesday.
