Invisiblewall.net: Gilberto Silva News

Gilberto yesterday defended Lampard and Gerrard’s poor international.

I have no idea why. They both seem to be allergic to playing for England.

From the BBC Article:

Gilberto backs Gerrard & Lampard

Brazil midfielder Gilberto Silva says Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are capable of forming a central midfield partnership for England.

England have struggled to find a way of fitting the two attack-minded midfielders into their system.

“People need to believe in them rather than criticise and say they cannot play together,” Gilberto told BBC Sport.

“They need to lift them and boost their confidence. They showed they can play together. They made it hard for us.”

Gilberto came face-to-face with Lampard and Gerrard at Wembley on Friday in the 1-1 friendly draw.

With holding midfielder Owen Hargreaves ruled out through injury, coach Steve McClaren opted to try the Lampard and Gerrard partnership in the centre of midfield.

While Gerrard rivalled David Beckham for England’s best player, Lampard was again short of his top form.

Despite given ample opportunities to form a central midfield understanding under previous coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, the two stars have rarely looked like the right combination.

But Arsenal star Gilberto feels there is no reason why they cannot work together if they are given the chance.

“They are both great players – especially Steven Gerrard,” he said.

“He is almost the complete player, he goes forward well, defends well, passes the ball and makes it very difficult.

“It is down to both of them to adjust and when one goes forward the other one stays back and that’s what they did against us.

“I think the important thing is not to absorb the pressure and keep it in your mind.

“You are there on the pitch to be judged by the people and by journalists and by the fans and sometimes for the manager. But if you do your job well and give 100% you will go home and sleep well.

“This is the important thing – not to keep pressure on you.

“But it is not just about them but the whole team, England have some great players.”

Lampard defended his performance at Wembley and feels too much is expected of himself and Gerrard when they play for their country.

“I think it worked very well on Friday,” he said. “We were very disciplined, we worked hard together and it wasn’t a game for me and Steven to get forward and get past the front man too much.

“I think people have to understand that when we play together for England you won’t always get the same performances as we do for our clubs. Maybe we have a freer rein there to get forward.

“We had to be disciplined and it worked very well I thought. I think we’ve been successful. I don’t know what our record is but I think it’s pretty good.

“There is an understanding, we’re not selfish players where one of us wants to go running all over the pitch.

“We look at each other and we communicate with each other and make sure we don’t play without discipline and that’s what we did and we will continue to do that. “

Hmmmm. I am not convinced.

Brazil beat Chile 3-0 the other day, and Gilberto has been talking about it again. As captain, he’s always being asked to talk these days. He must be getting knackered.

Individually, Robinho was the high point but the whole team was excellent, you can’t say that any player was a let down. Everybody did their job. It’s normal for somebody to attract attention when they score three goals but the whole team got the result.

Yay.

Read the whole match report here: The Guardian, or see Robinho’s goals here: Youtube.

Check it.

Gilberto captains Brazil to 1-1 draw against England

Gilberto (far left) squeezes into a photo

Gilberto CAPTAINED Brazil to a 1-1 at the international opening game of Wembley Stadium. He scored a goal, but it was disallowed due to a dodgy offside decision. He set up youngster ‘Diego’ from a cross, which salvaged Brazil’s game.

Great work Bert! Captain of Brazil – what next?

HENRY QUIT FEAR

GILBERTO SILVA last night became the first Arsenal player to admit he fears Thierry Henry could leave this summer.

Gunners captain Henry has been critical of the club for not signing more established and experienced big names as they try to keep up with Manchester United and Chelsea.

It has put Henry’s future in doubt again and World Cup winner Gilberto, who will line up for Brazil in tonight’s Wembley friendly, said: “We want him to stay because we know how important he is to the team.

“Everyone expects him to stay but for the last few years there has been speculation about him. But we are confident he will stay.

“We need to be patient. It is fingers crossed but I have talked to him and I think he will stay.”

Gilberto is relishing tonight’s friendly, and facing David Beckham – even if he was surprised he was dropped in the first place. He added: “I was not surprised when he was recalled, but I was surprised when he was left out because he is a great player.

“It’s good for the England team to have him back because from what I have seen he appears to be the leader of the team.

“Some people have criticised England players for not playing their best but the match against us is a chance for them to prove them wrong.

“England have some players whose style I really like, especially Steven Gerrard. Others need time to adjust.” Brazil boss Dunga, with six wins and a draw from his first eight games in charge, has picked an allstar team, with the line-up including Barcelona star Ronaldinho.

Ronaldinho said: “Wembley is a historical temple of football and to be the first national team that wins there will be very emotive.

“For me if we win in London it will be a little revenge because this season with Barca we lost to Chelsea and Liverpool, and the Champions League was a dream for me. To win with Brazil will give me some pleasure.”

John Cross wrote this article. He is the one who should be blamed for sensationalism in the headline. “HENRY QUIT FEAR!!!” – when Gilberto ACTUALLY said “I think he will stay.” For shame.

From http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/6709677.stm

Gilberto sends warning to England

Midfielder Gilberto has warned England that Brazil have dangerous players all over the pitch, and not just in the shape of Ronaldinho and Kaka.

After Brazil’s training session at the new Wembley on Friday, Gilberto said: “We have a good squad and with quality players that can make a difference.

“We are a group and I believe other sides think like this – not just about Ronaldinho and Kaka.

“Of course, though, they are fantastic players,” he added.

And Gilberto believes the high profile of AC Milan star Kaka, who helped his club beat Liverpool in the Champions League final, and Barcelona’s Ronaldinho – twice named World Footballer of the Year – can only be good for the Brazil game.

“It does not annoy the rest of us, because we know they have a high profile. We all feel very happy for them,” he said.

“When we are not with the national team, we see them with their clubs and how they are rated with a high profile in the press, how people enjoy watching them.

“For me, it is amazing when I hear so many nice things from them.”

Gilberto believes Friday’s game will provide a stern examination for Brazil, now under the management of 1994 World Cup-winning captain Dunga.

“It will be a massive test for us,” said the Arsenal midfielder.

“We have had good preparation. Since Dunga has taken charge of the team, we have done well and we hope to continue to do a good job.”

Barcelona star Ronaldinho is looking forward to the chance of gracing the famous Wembley turf.

“It is such a motivation to play here,” he said. “I am very happy to be here with the Brazil national team to play against England.”

To be honest, I don’t think England need warning. It’s Brazil.