Dunga fears pitch battle

Brazil coach Dunga, seen here at Wembley during a training session, fears the newly-renovated stadium's sub-standard pitch could spoil his side's historic clash with England on Friday.

Brazil coach Dunga fears Wembley's sub-standard pitch could spoil his side's historic clash with England on Friday.

Dunga's side are in London to play the first senior international at the rebuilt home of English football, but the Selecao boss is worried the glamour friendly could be spoilt by the stadium's hallowed turf.

Wembley's impressive 800 million pounds arena is undoubtedly worth the huge outlay, but the newly-laid pitch is suffering after heavy use.

Eight matches have already been played at Wembley in just two months and Chelsea and Manchester United players blamed the length of the grass for causing the slow tempo of the FA Cup final.

England opted not to train at Wembley ahead of Brazil's visit and the pitch cut up noticably as the South Americans went through their pre-match preparations at Wembley on Thursday.

Dunga knows how important it is for the showpiece event to be marked by an exciting encounter and he was quick to express concern that the state of the grass could spoil the occasion.

"We expected a better pitch," he said. "There will be difficulties with it. The grass comes off too easily. Considering it is a new stadium it will be difficult.

"It is an historical situation of course, but playing against England is always historic no matter where it is."

Brazil coach Dunga(2ndL), seen here with Kaka(L) at Wembley during a training session, fears the newly-renovated stadium's sub-standard pitch could spoil his side's historic clash with England on Friday.

Whatever the state of the pitch, one man will be the centre of attention for the 90,000 capacity crowd.

David Beckham is set to make his first appearance for England since last year's World Cup after Steve McClaren decided to bring the Real Madrid midfielder back from his international exile.

Dunga believes McClaren was right to recall Beckham 10 months after seemingly ending his international career.

"He is a great player who is doing well in Madrid," Dunga said. "It is only normal that the coach will bring him back in.

"A national team is something with the best players available and in form at the same time. In Brazil it is the same, everybody has to fight for their place in the team.

"Basically it is a question of coherance and watching what is going on. If a player is better than another at one time he will come into the team."

McClaren desperately needs his gamble over Beckham to pay off immediately. A disappointing display or heavy defeat to the five-times World Cup winners would be the worst possible preparation for England ahead of their crucial Euro 2008 qualifier in Estonia on Wednesday.

Dunga is convinced McClaren's team have enough talented players to achieve success, but he cautioned the English public against expecting too much, too soon.

"They are a very good team," Dunga said. "Sometimes just because it is England everybody expects them to win everything which doesn't happen, but little by little they will get there."

Dunga will use the match to fine-tune his preparations for Brazil's defence of their Copa America crown next month and he believes the team will go to Venezuela as firm favourites if everyone stays fit.

"As far as winning the cup again, Brazil never goes to a tournament without the idea we are going to win," he said.

"As far as the team, there is still 20 days to go. Many things can happen, someone can get injured, someone can get better or not, there is still a lot to go."