Juan has a winning history with the Brazilian National Team, especially in the Copa América. The former defender was a starter and a key player in the conquest of the competition in 2007 and the author of the penalty goal in 2004. In the first conquest, he ensured the title of the Canary Islands in the emotional duel against Argentina, in a memorable final also for Adriano’s equalizing goal in the final minutes. A two-time champion of the tournament, he wants his first Copa América as technical coordinator.
Juan also won the Confederations Cup in 2005 and 2009 and played in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. In his new role, he reinforces that it is time to see the players called up by Dorival Junior shine wearing the green and yellow colors.
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“It is a very talented generation, as it has always been. Brazil has always had great players, the national team has always brought together the best. We try, off the field, to help as much as possible, with conversations, in training or in the videos we put together, so that they can get on the field and play at the level they are used to,” he explained.
The Brazilian National Team begins the journey in search of the 10th Copa América on Monday (24). At the SoFi Stadium, Brazil debuts against Costa Rica, at 10 pm (Brasília time), in the metropolitan region of Los Angeles. In Group D, the team led by Dorival Júnior also has the company of Colombia and Paraguay. To fight for the title, Juan stressed the need to have a good first group stage.
“There is no competition that Brazil enters and is not a candidate for the title. We always want to win, we are internally and externally demanded to always win the championships. Brazil will start the competition respecting all opponents. We have a challenge in the first phase, which is to qualify in first place. Then, little by little, achieve the qualifications until the end, with the main objective of being champions,” he stated.
Dorival Júnior has had the 26 called-up athletes since May 30, in the United States. During this period, he held a series of training sessions and two friendly matches. He won against Mexico 3-2 and drew with the United States 1-1. Despite the intense routine, Brazil did not have injured players, a fact celebrated by Juan, who highlighted the proximity of the start of the Copa América and the importance of the tournament.
“It was a very good cycle, we really enjoyed all the training days, we were able to finish these almost 20 days without any injured players, with everyone in shape, ready to compete. Now it’s narrowing down, getting closer to the start of the competition, it’s adjusting the last things and starting to play at the level we expect,” he said.
“It is a very important competition in South America. We struggle against our rivals. In terms of the National Team, after the World Cup, it is the most important competition,” he added.
Juan was announced as the new technical coordinator in March of this year. The first contact with the athletes took place in the friendly matches against England and Spain, in the same month. He was a multiple champion at Flamengo, holding the same position, and considers that the time at the club that revealed him was of great importance for his return to the National Team.
“I always missed (the National Team) because it was a long time as a player. I missed that coexistence with the best players, that national team atmosphere. Of course I knew I had a path to go through at the club. I’m happy that the four, five years, since I stopped playing and I started working at Flamengo, have enabled me to return to the National Team,” he celebrated.
