Intro:

As Brazil prepare to face Germany in the semi-final of the World Cup, former 'Selecao' captain Zico claimed on Monday (7 July) that it would be better for the team to win rather than to play well.

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) Zico, Former Brazil international: (on Brazil's style of play at the World Cup compared to the 1982 squad):

"It would be great for us to play well and win, but when that possibility doesn't exist, the best thing to do is to play to win. What's remembered in the history of football is the victory. So our team in 1982 scored goals because we played beautifully, but didn't win, so we're not part of history."

SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) Zico, Former Brazil international: (on the rise of the number ten player at the World Cup in Brazil and emphasis no longer on a number nine striker):

"Today the number nine players are the most marked on the pitch, before it used to be the number tens who were well marked with one-on-one match ups. Today players who suffer from this are the strikers. So the difficulties for them are bigger and there's more space for the players coming from the back and midfield. Strikers are being sacrificed and have fewer opportunities to influence the game."

SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) Zico, Former Brazil international: (on Brazil playing without Neymar):

"I don't think Brazil is a team that relies on Neymar. It's logical that Neymar is the key player but I think the other players will overcome his absence because football is a collective game where all the team relies on everyone's commitment. So the team can win."