Brazil's debut was eagerly awaited after good results in the qualifiers (14 wins, 3 draws). The competition started well for them, a 2-0 victory against Serbia. We felt that Brazil were a bit timid in the first half, as if emotions had got the better of them. The second half was much better. Brazil let themselves go and made the difference. How did you feel about this team during the first match?
As with all other nations starting the World Cup, the first game is always the most complicated. Very few teams in the competition have started well in the first half, apart from Spain. But in the end, I thought it was a good game, because as soon as the World Cup effect was over, in the second half, we saw a Brazil that we are more used to seeing. Even if it's not the best version yet, but it was much better than the first half. Some players let themselves go. Personally, I'm quite confident. This is a team that was under a lot of pressure, because we all talked about them and we all put them as favourites, because they had indeed impressed in the qualifying rounds. The players, each of them, were in good shape in their respective leagues.
To win a World Cup, you need a strong group. And we have the feeling that in this Brazilian team, there is a hard core. They have individualities, of course. But you see a core that has been forming for some time with Neymar, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Danilo, Casemiro, etc. Do you think they have that collective to go all the way?
The Brazil squad is a group that has been around for a long time. It was one of Tite's choices when he arrived. It's often the same players who are called up, and that means he has a collective. And it's a generation that gets on well. Neymar is the star of the show and up front he has a good understanding with the young players. We also have Casemiro and his serenity, then Thiago Silva, Marquinhos and Danilo. Behind them are players with experience. And up front, it's the youth that speaks. It's a group that lives super well and it's a group, as I've always said, that is on a mission to win the World Cup. We heard it after the match against Serbia, some players said it: "we had seven battles to win, we have already won one, we have to win six more". They are on a mission to win the World Cup and this is a group that knows what it wants. The first match was complicated because the emotions of the favourites are not always easy to manage. But that's over. And for the second match, they will certainly be more at ease.
Let's talk about Richarlison. He scored a brace and a sumptuous second goal. We have the feeling that Brazil have found a 9 that fits them. He's a boy who plays without pressure, he has 39 caps and has scored 19 goals. As a former striker, what do you think of this player and his performances for Brazil?
He is not a new player to the national team. His first appearances were on the side when he started. Now Tite has integrated him into a system that suits him perfectly. With three players up front, plus Neymar behind. He may not have the quality that Romario, Bebeto or Ronaldo had up front, but he is essential in what Tite asks. When Vinicius and Raphinha create chances on the flanks, Neymar at the back, or even Paqueta, he has to be that player who will be up front, finishing, in front of the goal. And who will either create space for the others or be there to finish. And that's what he did in Brazil's first game and that's what Tite expected from him. He's the perfect player for the system that Tite has put in place.
Let's move on to Neymar, who suffered an ankle injury against Serbia. We've seen the pictures and it's pretty serious. We'll see how it develops now. What do you think his absence means for Brazil?
It wouldn't be consistent to say that they can go all the way and that for one absence, the game would change (laughs). So, yes. Of course it's a handicap. Because we know how talented Neymar is and we know what he is capable of. We saw it on the first goal, the shift to Vinicius, right foot, which then provokes the shot of the Real striker. These are Neymar's qualities. He knows how to get off the mark, how to accelerate and how to give good balls. So, unfortunately, he's been injured lately and of course he's going to be missed. But, in 1962, Brazil won the World Cup by losing Pele in the first game...he didn't play in the World Cup and Brazil became world champions... We can find a Paqueta, we can find a Vinicius or a Raphinha who will be decisive. Brazil has the players to win the World Cup. After that, what is good for Brazil and Tite is that he is not sidelined. We have to treat him properly and the further into the competition you go, the more his injury develops and we'll have to see if he can be fit again. It may be impossible to see him again... but we'll have to do our best. In any case, there is a collective and a strong group. I imagine a midfield with Fred, Casemiro and Paqueta, and that's a pretty coherent midfield. There are players to replace Neymar and players to win the World Cup. I'm not worried. With Neymar, it's easier to win. Without him, it's not as easy, but it can be done.
Precisely, in relation to the players who could carry Brazil. I have a question about Vinicius Jr. At Real Madrid, this year, he is the reference in the attack with Valverde. He had an excellent performance against Serbia, he is in every action of his team. He scored the first goal, he made the decisive pass for the second. Do you think Vini can be the boss of this team up front, in case Neymar is absent?
He performed at Real Madrid without Karim Benzema. So he can do it with Brazil. He is a player who has this quality, like many players today. You can see it in the French team with Mbappé, Coman or Dembele and in Brazil with Raphinha, Antony or Vini. It's this generation of players who can make the difference with the ball at their feet, who go very fast and who know how to manage this speed with technique. The other day in the second half, he had a little more space and he found the solution for Brazil. But I think he can do it, yes. I expect a bit more from Raphinha though...
To finish with the players, I would like to talk about the defensive sector with three players who impressed in the first match: Thiago Silva, Marquinhos and Casemiro. These three players are the balance of this team and to win a World Cup you have to be able to defend well. With these three boys, Brazil is well protected...
The problem Brazil had before was that they wanted to play forward, but the team was taking too many goals. For some time now, Brazil hasn't been scoring many goals with these players. They are experienced players, good defenders. Casemiro doesn't mind getting a card, like Thiago Silva or Marquinhos. The only thing they want is to defend. Knowing that Danilo and Alex Sandro on the side are also players who defend. If you want to win a World Cup, you need to have a good defensive base so that the strikers can play. But I repeat, I had seen many of Brazil's games before the one against Serbia, and even the strikers and midfielders defend. That makes the group whole and the players at the back are much more relaxed to recover the ball, because there is a pressing that is done by the players in front. That's what Tite wants and it's thanks to his work. If they want to win games, they have to defend all together. When you all defend, you are closer to each other to attack. The task is easier.
Brazil has a first final against Switzerland on Monday. A victory is synonymous with qualification. But against the Swiss it is never easy. They defend well, they are efficient. What do you think of this match?
Nothing is simple in this World Cup (laughs). To win a match, nothing is simple. You can put a nation that is historically better against another one, and they can lose a game. Brazil has to go into the third game already qualified. That's the ideal way to prepare for the Round of 16. So yes, it's complicated against Switzerland. There have been times in the past when Switzerland have made it difficult for Brazil. But this is different. The group is solid, there is a real human side to everyone, to each other. They're going to do everything they can to get to the final and they're going to do everything they can to get Neymar to play in this World Cup. And that will start against Switzerland, the goal is to qualify so that Neymar can think about his recovery for the eighth round. After that, it can happen to draw or lose against Switzerland. We saw that during this World Cup. But you have to do everything to qualify.
A quick word about Les Bleus. What have you thought of the French team so far?
I've been impressed in the sense that it started badly against Australia with the first goal. But there was a reaction afterwards with the team's leaders like Griezmann and Rabiot who had an exceptional World Cup. You can see the number of injuries they have suffered and finally, they remain competitive. Defensively, it's getting better and better. I liked the game of Upamecano, who is getting stronger. Tchouaméni too. We can see that Dembélé is starting to let go. The team is starting to grow in strength little by little and that's what Didier Deschamps is doing. I think that's what we're going to do. If it continues like this, it can go all the way.