The coach of the Brazilian National Team, Dorival Júnior, returned to Brazil on Tuesday (7th) after observing a series of players who play in Europe. The objective of this tour of the technical team was to define the players called up to compete in the two friendly matches and the Copa América, which begins on June 20 in the United States.
Before, last month, the National Team staff traveled through Brazil and watched 27 matches of the clubs that compete in the 2024 Betano Brazilian Championship. During this period, 50 players were observed in action by the technical team. On Friday (10th), the coach will announce the list of players.
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“This observation period was very important. The exchange of information with the members of the technical commissions, the personal contact with the athletes are fundamental so that we have, not only the images of the athlete, but above all the daily life, the understanding of what is happening, what is going on, the current moment of each one. All this lived scenario will be fundamental for us to define the next call-up,” said Dorival Júnior, after meeting with the members of the technical team.
In addition to Dorival Júnior, the technical coordinator, Juan, and the assistants Lucas Silvestre and Pedro Sotero also participate in the evaluation period abroad. They watched games in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Germany and England.
“These evaluations are fundamental. We were able to have all the perceptions of posture, positioning, commitment of the athlete to the game. In addition to watching the games, these meetings also help us in this search for proximity with the athletes,” said assistant Lucas Silvestre, who formed a duo with Pedro Sotero on the trips through Spain, France and England.
“The trips greatly enrich our discussions. We have a daily routine of analysis and technical meetings. Having been there in person also helps a lot in confirming what we have observed in the videos, in getting closer to the athletes. It also helps us to understand tactically what they have been executing in their roles. Our work is to encompass all possible variables to be well-armed with information to make the best decisions,” added Pedro Sotero.
Observation routine
The strategy adopted by the technical team is part of the routine of the coaches of the main European national teams. Dorival and Juan met the coach of Portugal, the Spaniard Roberto Martínez, in matches in different countries.
“It’s a dynamic that is established with most national teams. Just so you have an idea, we met the coach of the Portuguese national team, in three matches. These are actions that are repeated with all professionals, because they, like us, also want to know a little more about what is happening with their professionals on the field, a little closer, not just seeing performances on videos,” said Dorival.
The work does not stop in the National Teams Department. On Tuesday, Dorival met with the members of the technical team. On Friday, the coach will announce the players called up for the June friendlies and the Copa América.
“Another important detail is that these observations will continue. We arrived this morning and we are already here with our group of analysts in a room next door, observing all the games that will take place on Tuesday. We want to know everything that happens with the athletes up to the moment closest to the call-up,” said the national team coach.
Remembering Zagallo
Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.
Binge the first four episodes available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel. Stay tuned for upcoming releases as we keep telling this legend’s life story.
