Europe » Euro 2008

Elimination My Fault - Scolari

Luiz Felipe Scolari has regrettably shouldered the blame for his side's quarterfinal exit from Euro 2008, but not for the reason most were expecting...

Jun 20, 2008 9:41:45 AM

Euro 08: Scolari and Nuno Gomes, Portugal - Germany (PA)

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Euro 08: Scolari and Nuno Gomes, Portugal - Germany (PA)

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Portugal lost 3-2 to a strong and spirited Germany side hitting something resembling its peak yesterday, as they stormed into a 2-0 lead courtesy of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose before Portugal pegged them back to 2-1 through Nuno Gomes, but Michael Ballack grabbed a decisive third that meant Helder Postiga's late goal was little more than a consolation. Touching distance proved to be the best they could manage on the night.

Many have suggested that Scolari's decision to announce his departure from the national side to join up with Chelsea - who he said, in no uncertain terms, simply offered more money - may have affected the team's morale and mindstate.

Felipão has dened these claims, but concedes elimination is first and foremost his responsibility.

"If I hadn't announced it, we would have lost anyway," he said, referring to the Chelsea job. "It had nothing to do with this or that. Some people will imagine and will write that, but it had nothing to do with that.

"We thought Germany would win their group and that by winning our group we wouldn't face them now but in the semi-finals. But they came second and we faced a team with tremendous quality, especially from free-kicks, and that decided the game.

"We lost because we didn't do things properly – dead-ball situations, free-kicks and other things. We had assigned certain players to mark Ballack and other German players, but at free-kicks our players went with different players and Germany made the most of it.

"I am responsible for choosing the players and placing them on the field in certain places, so the person most responsible for Portugal not being in the last four is the Portugal coach, who chooses players and tactics.

"I am very sad because the Portuguese team could be in the last four. But in this game, a decisive game, we had some lapses of attention which meant we couldn't get the result we wanted."

He did, however, hint at the possibility of a return to the Portugal team, having developed a strong affinity with the country despite being a Brazilian. "I've spent five and a half years in Portugal and had an excellent relationship with the national federation and the fans and the people.

"Maybe one day I will coach Portugal again, why not? It is not my immediate project, but it is a country that will be in my heart and I will never forget them."

Chet Winter, Goal.com

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