Scolari is our inspiration, say Brazil’s stars

Luiz Felipe Scolari, right, talks tactics with David Luiz, Neymar and Thiago Silva during a training session. Picture: Getty

Brazil had narrowly escaped elimination against Chile in the last 16 of the World Cup. The young Brazil star had just played one of the most difficult games of his life.

Scolari knew he had to be there for him. The same way the coach has been there for everyone else in this youthful Brazilian team carrying the  responsibility of winning the World Cup at home.

Players say “Big Phil” has been like a father to them at the World Cup.

“He is a friend, he is like a dad,” Brazil captain Thiago Silva said. “You can always talk to him if you are going through a  difficult time. He is the type of coach who will do anything to try to make you feel better, no matter what.”

Big Phil has won the players over with the right balance of discipline and support.

“He is always there for us,” defender David Luiz said. “He is there to advise us, to help us, to praise us, to reprimand us. He is very transparent in what he does and what he says. That’s how he works. We have the liberty to go talk to him whenever we want.”

After leading Brazil to the title in the 2002 World Cup, the charismatic coach was seen as the perfect man to command Brazil in its quest for a sixth world trophy. He was a  favourite among local media and fans who knew the  tournament at home would  require someone special in charge.

“We don’t see Felipao as a boss,” right back Dani Alves said. “He is our leader. A boss will give you orders, a leader will work with you, stand in front of  everything for you.”

The Brazilian confederation hired Scolari saying that his  experience and uncanny  motivational skills would be  crucial for the Selecao.

Silva saw those skills at work before the team’s opening match at this World Cup. He had to choke back tears when he started talking about Scolari in a recent news conference.

“He had some very emotional words for us in the dressing room before the opener,” Silva said, trying to stay composed. “He is very special to all of us. He has always been there for us, even when he was going through a difficult moment himself. He will always stay by our side.”

Scolari’s speech had come just two days after the death of his nephew in a car accident ahead of the opening match. A few weeks earlier, he had to leave the team’s training camp to  attend the funeral of one of his  brothers-in-law.

“He knows how to motivate the players,” midfielder Ramires said. “He knows exactly what each player needs to hear. He knows when to be tough on us and when to be supportive.”

Scolari remains outspoken and straightforward as always. He still has a strong character and still paces up and down the sidelines, waving his arms and yelling at players and referees.

But he has also shown a side that he used to keep to himself in the past. In one of his news conferences, Scolari openly  admitted being insecure at times at the helm of Brazil.

“When I’m with the players I can’t show that I’m worried,” Scolari said. “But, when I’m alone, analysing what’s ready and what’s not ready in the team, I often feel a little insecure. But I can’t be like that when I’m with them. I have to make sure they remain confident, I have to take some of the pressure off them.”

The 65-year-old Scolari, who thrived as Portugal coach at the 2004 European Championship and the 2006 World Cup, still hasn’t decided about his future after the tournament in  Brazil, but has said in the past that he would consider retiring after coaching the hosts.

Meanwhile, the Colombian defender Pablo Armero has laughed off suggestions that  Brazil are vulnerable going into tonight’s clash in Fortaleza.

Despite topping Group A and reaching the last eight, the host nation have struggled to live up to their billing as tournament  favourites, failing to score against Mexico in their second game and only overcoming Chile in the last 16 on penalties.

Nonetheless, former West Ham defender Armero does not believe Scolari’s side are struggling, emphasising the quality on display in the  tournament and the level of  determination in each team.

“Brazil are not weak, it’s just that every team here wants to go as far as possible, we’ve seen that since the start of the World Cup,” Armero said. “Every team wants to win and no-one is hiding. Also, they were up against Chile, who have great players.”

In contrast, Colombia have  exceeded all expectations in their first World Cup since 1998, winning all four of their games and scoring 11 goals.

And Armero emphasised that his team would not be content to go home at this stage.

“We are working so we can go as far as possible,” he said.

“From the first game we knew it wasn’t going to be easy,  our attitude has been to go step by step.

“We haven’t come here to go for a walk in the park. We’ve come here to give everything and go for glory.”

The game will see a duel between Colombia forward James Rodriguez and Brazil’s star man Neymar, the Colombian leading the scoring charts with five.