PANJIM: Brazilian legends Zico and Roberto Carlos share a strong bond. In the past, they combined for one common goal but come Sunday, the duo will compete against each other to garner three points for their respective teams as FC Goa host Delhi Dynamos FC in the second match of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL), at Nehru
Stadium, Fatorda.
Zico, the marquee manager of FC Goa coached Roberto Carlos at Turkish giants Fernerbahche and even lived together for over a year. The duo were all praise for each other at the pre-match press conference held in a city hotel, here, on Saturday.
“It is going to be a battle between a student and a teacher and also between a father and a son. I was living with Zico for over a year at my time at Fernerbahche and it was one of the greatest years in my life. He is an honour to all of us Brazilians and especially to me as I got the opportunity to know him as a person and a coach,” stated Roberto.
“When we were travelling together in the team bus we used to speak for hours and I would never stop. Zico is a perfect example to be followed and for me it is very special,” added Roberto, who started his career in 1991 with Uniao Sao Joa and went on to make 125 appearances for Brazil with 11 goals to his name from 1992 to 2006.
The famous goal of Roberto Carlos is off course ‘the banana free-kick’ against France in the inaugural match of the Tournoi de France 2007 when he shot from 35-yards out from the centre-right channel with his left-foot. The ball curled so much that the ball boy 10-yards to the right ducked instinctively, thinking that the ball would hit him.
Instead, it eventually curled back on target as France custodian Fabien Barthez was left stunned.
“He is a very good player. I wish him all the best. But he cannot learn more than me,” replied Zico candidly when asked about his opinion on facing his former player Roberto Carlos in a managers role for the opponent team.
Although, it is highly unlikely for the 42-year-old former Real Madrid star to start against The Gaurs, fans will hope to get a glimpse of Roberto Carlos if he opts to come from the bench and hopefully, find himself in a free-kick position.
“I will start with the 11 starters and will be getting rhythm every week and off course I will play. I have signed to play,” said Roberto Carlos.
The Delhi Dynamos FC marquee manager-cum-player guarantees a perfect showdown to the Goan football lovers as the tickets of the match were sold out well in advance.
On the other hand, Zico has made his strategy very clear. “Put pressure from the word go. When the ball is in the defence area, all 11 will defend and when it’s in the attack area, all will attack. Individuals can win games, but not without help from team-mates,” Zico expressed.
Zico admitted the team was under pressure to win the tournament. “People all over India have huge expectations from FC Goa, which is unfair, they can’t put so much pressure on one team. Of course we would love to win and play good football,” he said.
FC Goa had the better of Delhi Dynamos FC last season, winning both home (2-1) and away (4-1) encounters convincingly.
