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The Costinha Issue – Part 2

May 8th, 2006 | By: Luis Paulo | 6 Comments »

One month ago I wrote about Costinha’s lack of fitness and his problems with Dynamo Moscow. Today, one month later and only 1 week before the final roster announce the problem remains.

Although he is back training on Belenense, Costinha had already declared that he is not fit to the World Cup if it was to be played today. He also said that he would drive himself out of the tournament if he doesn’t fell to be in condition to add quality on the team.

Well, for 6 months he has done nothing but training. What will be changed on this last month? Will he be fit with a couple friendly matches?

Felipão likes Costinha, not only due to his game but mostly due to his attitude. However, to win a World Cup you must leave your friendships behind and call the best and most reliable players.

Costinha was the one who put himself into this situation. Now, it would be noble of him to give someone else the chance to be in a World Cup if he is not ready to it. And I believe that he won’t be.

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Comments

By Pedro P | May 8th, 2006 at 11:05 am

As far as I could understand, it’s actually to Scolari that Costinha must thank for the chance to practice and train with Belenenses, after the issues with the russian coach. And I guess by now, we all know Scolari isn’t there just for the ride. He wants to win, he is a good professional and he will do everything within reach for the best result possible. Which means no silly mistakes, so he will surelly not take Costinha if he doens’t think he’s fit, or in enough form.

On the other hand, for those who saw the match against Saudi Arabia, nobody would say Costinha hasn’t been playing. But this is just my opinion.

Going back to your post, Luis Paulo, what I didn’t understand is when you say he put himself in this situation.

Just to finish, previously Maniche also had problems in the same russian team, only he was smarter and left to Chelsea before it got worse. Like it eventually did with Costinha. But at the same time, although with Chelsea, Maniche hasn’t been playing much often but still both Mourinho and the portuguese press state he’s in top form currently.

Posted from Netherlands

By Kiko | May 8th, 2006 at 11:06 am

Surely he wont be fit. But that isnt a problem as there are other good players to take his position.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Pedro P | May 8th, 2006 at 12:37 pm

Normaly I’d say that if a player hasn’t been playing with his team, he’d surelly won’t be fit enough. At the same time, the point I tried to prove with Maniche’s story is that you can actually be quite fit without all that big nr of games on your belt. We only need to remember WC02 and all the stories about players bein too worn out due to too many games…

So, I guess the only real sign we might have on this one is weather Scolari calls him or not. At least it’s what I think.

Posted from Netherlands

By Luis Paulo | May 8th, 2006 at 1:03 pm

Pedro, that is a big difference between Costinha and Maniche. While Maniche is playing some games for a few minutes, Costinha played 1 friendly game in 6 months.

By Pedro P | May 8th, 2006 at 1:18 pm

Of course it is, LP. But he did play very good in that (one) match. What I’m trying to say is that although not having played enough games is surelly a reason for concern, it doesn’t mean the player isn’t up for it.

I was expecting Maniche to have a lot of difculties in Chelsea for the same reason, but he’s doing fine. I was expecting Costinha to play miserably and he did very good.

I mean… At the end, if it goes well, it won’t count s#it. If it doesn’t, guilt is just gonna be thrown in all directions…

Posted from Netherlands

By Pedro P | May 10th, 2006 at 6:39 am

Costinha to have “special fitness classes” (in portuguese)

http://www.ojogo.pt/22-78/artigo551512.htm

Posted from Netherlands

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