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SCOTLAND have helped force champions and favourites Brazil to rethink their World Cup strategy. Brazil came to France hoping to retain their title in style, with coach Mario Zagallo saying he would not sacrifice attacking flair for a win-at-all-costs strategy. But assistant coach Zico has seen enough of the current competition - including their own somewhat fortunate 2-1 win over the Scots - to know that they must tighten up at the back and ground flying wing backs Cafu and Roberto Carlos.
As they prepared for today's Group A match against Morocco in Nantes, Zico said: ''They go up too often. And they do it without knowing that they have cover in case of a counter-attack.'' The system used against Scotland asked midfielders Cesar Sampaio and Dunga to fill in for the two defenders when they were caught out of position but they are not always able to do it. Cafu and Roberto Carlos are being asked to be much stricter about their positioning.''
The champions' creaking defence was put under pressure by the Scots, and only a freak Tommy Boyd own goal prevented them taking a deserved draw. Midfielder John Collins said: ''At the back, they are nervous. That's their weak spot.''
Zico added that the wing backs' attacking instincts puts too much strain on centre backs Aldair and Junior Baiano, forcing them into potentially costly errors. ''If they go forward, we are in difficulty. Baiano and Aldair cannot shut down every opening, despite their massive commitment,'' he said. ''We are working hard to stabilise this aspect of our game. There has to be a balance between attack and defence. We must tighten things up.''
Zagallo, who has promised to bring the artistry that characterised his 1970 Brazil team back to the national side, has been won over by Zico's arguments. ''I am not sure that the World Cup is going to produce much good football from the second round, because teams will put their priority on defensive play, he said. And we cannot ignore this aspect. I believe we will win with style, but that doesn't mean you have to be imprudent.'' The champions will become the first team into the second round with a win.
Midfielder Leonardo, who came on for Giovanni at halftime against Scotland, is expected to keep his place for the champions. Zagallo's biggest concern will be keeping control of Morocco star Mustapha Hadji, who scored a corking goal against Norway in last week's 2-2 draw. Hadji played that game with a broken toe and will need a painkilling jab again today. "I'm still in pain, he said, and I've still got to avoid hitting the ball too hard. The injection kills the pain but it only lasts 45 minutes."
WORLD CUP TRIVIA
The teams have only met once before, Brazil winning 2-0 at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Dunga, today's captain, scored the first goal
The win against Scotland last Wednesday was Brazil's 50th in the finals, easily the most of any nation
Morocco midfielder Tahar El Khalej is 30 today.
Brazil coach Mario Zagallo has been involved in his country's World Cup wins as a player (1958, when he scored in the Final, and 1962), assistant coach (1994) and coach (1970).
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�MOROCCO A TOUGHER
TEST THAN SCOTLAND'
SAYS ROBERTO CARLOS
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BRAZIL are expecting Morocco to stretch them more tonight than Scotland's Bravehearts did in last week's World cup curtain raiser even though they only beat Craig Brown's men 2-1 thanks to an own goal.
"They're better technically than the Scots," claimed wing back Roberto Carlos. "They're better with the ball at their feet. And if we don't watch out, we could be in for real trouble." Coach Mario Zagallo thinks the Africans will be the world champions' toughest test in Group A: "They have a Brazilian style of soccer - one touch, give-and-go passes and quick. It will be difficult because we can't match their pace. We're not in ideal physical shape yet."
Assistant coach Zico added that the Moroccans' high-energy, pressing game is more technical than it looks. "It's not random running around. It all has a purpose - to surprise at the final moment by creating a chance," he said. "Morocco had a great game with Norway and, if their defence hadn't made a few mistakes, they could have won. They have good players up front, so we have to be on our toes. We have to work the ball, take advantage of defensive lapses and not let them create chances."
RONALDO isn't worried about his four game goal drought. But the Brazilian media - who automatically grade his performance as disappointing if the World Player of The Year doesn't score - and the public are. "I'm not worried," insisted the 21-year-old, ahead of tonight's Group A match with Morocco. "This is a very important moment in my career and it is not going to be in a World Cup that I am going to fail to score."
The Inter Milan star has scored 25 goals in 38 full internationals and, with Romario back home with a calf strain, is carrying the load for the reigning champions and favourites. But assistant coach Zico, no mean Brazil goalscorer himself, says too much importance is being put on the performances of one player. "I'm not in favour of the team playing around one man," he said. "When we had players such as Garrincha and Pele, we didn't centre everything on one player and we're not going to do it now."
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