Johannesburg, June 30 (DPA) Brazil defender Juan believes the Selecao has what it takes to snuff out the attacking threat posed by Arjen Robben and company in Friday’s World Cup quarterfinal clash against the Netherlands.
‘Robben is a great player, who is in great form,’ Juan said Wednesday in Johannesburg.
‘Our job is to stop the balls getting forward to him. It will be an important step on the road to victory. We have to be very well organised in defence so that nothing surprises us,’ said Juan.
Robben has struggled with a hamstring injury throughout the World Cup, but the Bayern Munich winger played 71 minutes in his side’s 2-1 win over Slovakia in the Round of 16, scoring once and picking up the man of the match accolade in the process.
The AS Roma defender, who scored himself against Chile, outlined how coach Carlos Dunga plans to stop the flying Dutchman.
‘Dunga has a clear plan as to how the defence should be set up. He asks the midfielders and strikers to provide cover, which makes our job a lot easier. We have to run less,’ explained Juan.
Although Juan believes his central-defensive partnership with captain Lucio probably isn’t the strongest in South Africa, the discipline and controlled game displayed by Brazil to date will help them prevail in Port Elizabeth.
‘Like us, Holland are very strong going forward, but we’ll be looking to score in the first half so that we can control the game,’ Juan said.
