For Dunga, the 1990 elimination hurt more than the defeat to France in 1998.
“Losing always hurts a lot, even more so in a World Cup final… we wanted to win in ’98 but playing against a country that is organized and has great players is very complicated,” said Dunga; “In 1990, it certainly hurt more because all the responsibility was placed on my shoulders… and they still do today,” he told journalists in Paris, the location of the friendly match between Brazil and France on Thursday.
(ReutersThe coach of the Brazilian national team, Dunga, admitted this Wednesday that the elimination in the 1990 World Cup hurt more than the defeat in the 1998 World Cup final against the host nation France, because he was considered responsible for the poor campaign in Italy.
After their early elimination from the 1990 World Cup, the football played by the Brazilian national team was nicknamed the "Dunga era," alluding to the team's midfielder who had strong defensive characteristics but lacked creativity.
"In 1990, it certainly hurt more because all the responsibility was placed on my shoulders... and they still do today," he told reporters in Paris, the venue for the friendly match between Brazil and France on Thursday.
The game will take place at the Stade de France, where Brazil lost the 1998 World Cup final to the home team 3-0. The captain of that team was none other than the current coach of the Brazilian team.
"Losing always hurts a lot, even more so in a World Cup final... we wanted to win in '98 but playing against a country that is organized and has great players is very complicated," he stated.
Despite returning to the Stade de France 17 years later, Dunga rejects the idea of revenge and believes that after the 2014 World Cup, Brazil needs to correct the mistakes of the recent past and look ahead to secure its place in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The coach reiterated his belief that a player on the Brazilian national team needs three qualities: attitude, a winning spirit, and tactical discipline. "On paper, everything looks good and everyone is good, but things change on the field."
The team for the friendly against the French has not been revealed by the coach, and the main question is who will partner Neymar in attack: Firmino, Robinho, and Luiz Adriano are the options.
The game should mark the return of former Brazilian national team captain Thiago Silva to the starting lineup. Dunga wants the defender to regain emotional balance after some of his actions were questioned during crucial moments of the World Cup on home soil.
"The games will show whether he has overcome the World Cup or not. We believe in him and his technical ability," Dunga assessed. "We are Latins and emotional, but the most important thing is to be able to control emotions, for good or bad, in moments of greatest pressure," he added.
On Sunday, Brazil plays another friendly match, against Chile, in London.
(By Rodrigo Viga Gaier, in Rio de Janeiro)