Lucio lambasts below-par Brazil performances
Reuters - Monday 11 July 2011, 18:21
BUENOS AIRES - Captain Lucio slammed
Brazil's Copa America performances on Monday saying the holders
needed to improve their commitment in the colours of the five
times world champions.
Brazil have drawn both their Group B matches so far, leaving
them equal second in the standings with Paraguay two points
behind surprise leaders Venezuela.
"No-one is happy with these results," Lucio told reporters
at Brazil's training base outside the capital after Saturday's
2-2 draw with Paraguay in Cordoba.
"We know the quality of players we have in this squad, we
must show much more, more seriousness and more commitment to the
Brazilian national team shirt," he said.
"I think the badge on the shirt is more important than the
name on the back," said the 33-year-old central defender, a
World Cup winner in 2002 and one of the few survivors from
Brazil's 2010 team in coach Mano Menezes's young squad.
"Each one of us has to looking for an improvement and
understand that you have to give a bit more of yourself because
we're not getting the results.
"We know we have to put a bit more energy, more seriousness
and competitiveness into our game. Everyone will have to show
something with their performance because this is the Brazil
team."
Brazil's performances have been fitful, only occasionally
showing what Menezes wants in his efforts to return to their
traditional attacking game - usually when playmaker Paulo
Henrique Ganso is involved.
Teenage forward Neymar, Ganso's club mate for newly-crowned
South American champions Santos, has shown little of the sparkle
that won him a place in the team although Menezes defended him
after a lukewarm performance against Paraguay.
"He is one of the greats hopes we have. He's already a
reality for Santos and he showed good form in some friendlies
with the national team," Menezes said.
"But we have to wait for him and this tournament also is
much harder than I expected."
Menezes said the 19-year-old must learn to release the ball
more quickly and not go solo too much.
"Against Paraguay his way was usually blocked by three
opponents. He needs to realize that more quickly because behind
those defenders there's lots of space [others can run into]."
Brazil meet Ecuador In Cordoba on Wednesday looking to secure a place in the quarter-finals, while
Paraguay meet Venezuela in Salta.