Pele gives away his World Cup candidates
Pele gives away his World Cup candidates
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Pele is mourning the death of "the beautiful game," a phrase many say was coined by the 73-year-old Brazilian legend.
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More and more since his retirement, teams are emphasising defence over a flowing attack, Pele said in an interview with The Associated Press.
"Italy always played defence -- in my time, now, always," he said. "But unfortunately today, I think because of the millions, because of the new technology, because of the money from the sponsors, the people, they don't care the way they win."
He says the message from managers is not win, but rather "don't lose", and that mentality has led to a less entertaining game.
"They don't care about the beautiful game. They don't care about the elegance of football. In my time, we used to think and give a little show."
With his home nation preparing to host the World Cup, Pele doesn't expect Brazil to have an easy path to a record sixth World Cup title.
"Germany has a very good team, young team, and then Spain. Spain is a team who plays together eight years, 10 years -- same team. Very nice organized team," he said on Wednesday. "This will be difficult. But we must respect Italy. We must respect Uruguay, because Uruguay is there. Argentina is there."
Pele told the Los Angeles Times that he sees the United States as next great soccer power, citing America's superior youth programs.
"People should be careful," Pele said. "Because I think here in the United States today, they play more soccer than they play in Brazil. It's important the American kids know that. We don't have the same support they have in college, university.
"Soccer is becoming very, very big in the United States. The base, with the kids, is more organized than Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay. No doubt."
Pele also laughed off a tweet from a CNN account that prematurely reported his death last week.
"I was not surprised because it was not the first time," he said. "The last time was three years ago. ... One elephant died, and the nickname of the elephant was Pele. People said Pele died. My family started to call me. Was the same last week."
Soccer Hot News
UEFA Champions League Preview: Bayern Munich v Manchester United
Manchester United bid to pull off an unlikely win at Bayern Munich on Wednesday as they continue their attempts to salvage a poor season.
The clubs have enjoyed contrasting fortunes domestically this season, with Bayern having already retained their Bundesliga title while English champions United languish sixth in the Premier League.
All-conquering UEFA Champions League holders Bayern were expected to sweep David Moyes’ team aside in the first leg of their quarter-final at Old Trafford last Tuesday, but a spirited display from United saw them claim a 1-1 draw to take to the Allianz Arena this week.
United have endured a tricky first campaign under Moyes, who replaced the legendary Alex Ferguson last July, with the club now mathematically certain to relinquish their Premier League title as they sit 17 points adrift of leaders Liverpool with five games to play.
They also look likely to miss out on qualification for the Champions League for the first time since 1995-96, as they are seven points behind fourth-placed Arsenal.
Bayern, meanwhile, have continued to flourish under Pep Guardiola’s guidance, with the Bavarians wrapping up the German title with seven matches to spare and remaining on course to retain both their Champions League and DFB-Pokal crowns.
Bastian Schweinsteiger’s away goal last week – which levelled Nemanja Vidic’s opener – puts them in the driving seat to reach the semi-finals, although they will be without the Germany international midfielder through suspension after he was dismissed for a second bookable offence late on at Old Trafford.
However, United left-back Patrice Evra, who returns after missing the first leg due to a one-match ban, believes his side can emulate Chelsea’s 2011-12 season, when the London club finished sixth in the Premier League but won the Champions League – beating Bayern in the final.
“It was funny because all season reminded me of the Chelsea season they won the Champions League when they were not playing well in the league,” Evra said.
“I am not saying we are going to do the same but sometimes you have to be positive, so why not?
“Of course it is unusual for us to say we can save our season in one game. Now we must make sure the fans will be proud for the second leg against Bayern.”
Bayern head into the fixture with the unfamiliar feeling of losing, as a 1-0 setback at Augsburg on Saturday ended the club’s record 53-match unbeaten run in the Bundesliga.
Guardiola shrugged off the defeat, but described the second leg with United as a “life or death match”.
By contrast, United were dominant in a 4-0 win at Newcastle United on Saturday, though Juan Mata, who scored twice at St James’ Park, is ineligible.
Striker Robin van Persie also remains absent with a knee injury, while Wayne Rooney could also miss out due to a toe problem.
As well as Schweinsteiger, Bayern are also without Javi Martinez through suspension, while Thiago Alcantara is sidelined with a knee problem and Xherdan Shaqiri (thigh) is doubtful.
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