Johannesburg, June 19 (DPA) Ivory Coast coach Sven Goran Eriksson has admitted that Didier Drogba is likely to start against Brazil in Sunday’s Group G clash in Soccer City stadium.
‘It would not be surprising if he played from the start. The 25 minutes against Portugal went well,’ said the African side’s Swedish coach.
Brazil have drawn confidence from the fact that three of their players have already got the better of Drogba in the Champions League for Inter Milan against Chelsea.
Goalkeeper Julio Cesar and defenders Lucio and Maicon both faced Drogba for their club side and keeper Cesar remembered: ‘In the first game he did next to nothing because Lucio was in such a good moment of form and almost completely nullified him.
‘He did not have many more chances in the second game and ended up being sent off.’
The Ivory Coast are confident that they can upset Dunga’s team and open up the so-called Group of Death. Midfielder Ismael Tiote said: ‘Brazil are not impossible to beat. I respect them because they have maybe the best team in the world but we do not fear them.’
Brazil know their African test could be their toughest in Group G. Robinho said: ‘It is a difficult obstacle for us. The secret is to score in the first 15 minutes. If we score early then the game will become more open.’
And midfielder Julio Baptista added: ‘This will be our most difficult game because they are so strong physically’. The need for more muscle against Drogba and company could even see the player nicknamed ‘The Beast’ in his time at Sevilla play an important part in the match.
