Brazil coach Carlos
Alberto Parreira wants his team to play with a smile on their faces at
this year's World Cup -- so has ruled out imposing a sex ban.
While Parreira's predecessor Luis Felipe Scolari ran a famously strict
regime during the 2002 finals, a more relaxed mood will prevail in
Germany -- and that includes as much sex as his players want.
"I don't think that sex one day before the game will have any harm on
the player. Just sex, no problem," Parreira told Maxim magazine.
"The problem is, they don't eat, they don't sleep, they smoke and they
drink. That is the problem. Sex? No, sex is always very good -- always
welcome."
Parreira also gave an insight into the methods his team uses to maintain
spirit during tournaments.
Ronaldinho is a keen player of the samba drums -- and the world
champions will be packing their instruments once again when they head to
Germany.
"Psychologists say it is very important in the dressing room and coming
from the hotel to the stadium that you do something with your hands,
with your mouth," Parreira said.
"If you just sit there worrying? Clutching your hands? That does not
help. If you play something it helps relax. That is why we give them the
drums and things.
"Since 1970 we have done this. We buy instruments for them, and they
play on the bus -- instead of saying, 'Oh my God, we are going to play
Germany or England in a World Cup game.' That does not help."
Parreira also said there was no chance that Brazil would play more
conservatively in Germany.
"We have to give a good impression and keep our style. We don't have to
change that because we are going to play a World Cup."
"We have to defend, as well, otherwise we go nowhere. But we can't deny
our roots -- we play a happy game." |