Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By DAN KARELL
The sun rose this morning over Brazil, but last night’s shock result still doesn’t feel real.
Germany scored five goals in an 18-minute stretch midway through the first half, opening the floodgates on their way to a record-setting 7-1 victory over Brazil. Newspaper covers across the host nation are calling it the “embarrassment of all embarrassments” and a humiliation for all of Brazil. Following the match, manager Luis Felipe Scolari took the blame for the defeat.
“Who is responsible when the team plays?” Scolari told reporters, while also asking for forgiveness from the nation and to absolve Neymar and Thiago Silva from blame. “I am. It’s me. Who decided the tactics, I did. So the person responsible is me. If I were to think of my life as a player, as a coach, as a teacher, this was the worst day of my life. I’ll be remembered probably because I lost 7-1, the worst defeat Brazil have ever had.”
David Luiz, who captained Brazil in Silva’s absence, was inconsolable following the match and gave a number of tear-filled post-match interviews apologizing for the performance.
“Apologies to everybody, apologies to all the Brazilian people,” Luiz told reporters. “I just wanted to see my people smile. We all know how important it was for me to see all of Brazil be happy, at least because of football. (Germany) were better than us. They prepared better. They played better.
“It’s a very sad day but it’s also a day from which to learn.”
Here are some more stories to start off your Wednesday:
BAYERN INTRODUCE LEWANDOWSKI
After months of waiting, Robert Lewandowski is finally a Bayern Munich player.
Bayern officially introduced Lewandowski to the media on Wednesday, the start of the club’s pre-season training, and handed him the No. 9 jersey for the upcoming season. Lewandowski said that after four years with Borussia Dortmund, it was time for him to “take the next step.”
“I know that every new player needs time but I hope the transition won’t take long for me and that I’ll be able to give my best from the first game,” Lewandowski told reporters.
By giving Lewandowski the No. 9 shirt, it was a sign that Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic would be leaving the club.
“Nothing’s signed yet, but there are verbal agreements between FC Bayern and Atletico Madrid and between Mario and Atletico,” Sammer said at the press conference.
PSG, MAN UNITED BATTLE FOR DI MARIA
Argentine midfielder Angel Di Maria is beginning to look like the odd man out for Real Madrid.
Transfer speculation has only increased for the 26-year-old during the World Cup and Real Madrid haven’t said a word to stop it. According to reports in Italy, Paris Saint-Germain are getting into the transfer battle, and have offered Real Madrid €60 million for the transfer of Di Maria.
Di Maria to his credit has refused to touch the subject of his club future, but that will be decided as soon as the World Cup is over.
Manchester United and manager Louis Van Gaal meanwhile are “monitoring” the situation, according to reports in England, and Di Maria is high on Van Gaal’s wish list.
QUICK KICKS
Adidas have offered Manchester United a deal worth £60 million ($103 million) to become the club’s official kit supplier. (REPORT)
Swansea City forward Michu is expected to join Napoli on loan for the upcoming season. (REPORT)
Real Madrid have agreed a reported €22 million transfer bid from Juventus for forward Alvaro Morata. (REPORT)
Juventus have approached Man United over the transfer availability of Patrice Evra. (REPORT)
Bayern Munich are looking into the possibility of signing Costa Rican star goalkeeper Keylor Navas to back-up Manuel Neuer. (REPORT)
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What do you think of these reports? How do you feel about Brazil’s 7-1 defeat the day after? Still shocking? Do you expect Lewandowski to flourish under Pep Guardiola? Do you believe PSG can afford to purchase Angel Di Maria?
Share your thoughts below.