Brazil veteran Dani Alves explained why his season with Juventus was unsuccessful, which full backs he’s a fan of and the Selecao’s chances at the World Cup in Qatar.
The 39-year-old full back spent one year of his career with the Bianconeri, joining on a free transfer in July 2016 and leaving 12 months later for Paris Saint-Germain. During his time in Turin, Dani Alves scored six goals and provided seven assists in 33 games across all competitions, helping the team win the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Dani Alves first discussed the emergence of attacking full backs and how much they need to defend in the modern game.
“People don’t know what they’re saying. It always depends on the team you play in. If you put an extremely defensive player in Barcelona it doesn’t make sense, and similarly an attacking full-back in a team that prefers defence is not in the right place.
“An example: me at Juve. That Juve was a team that structurally was made to defend. I was pushing but it ended up conflicting with the idea of the team, so I didn’t play as much as I would have liked. You have to choose the right player for the team’s needs.”
He confirmed this is why he left the Old Lady after only one season.
“Yes. They signed a player with beastly offensive potential, but they didn’t need a guy like that. I had never kicked long in my life, I certainly couldn’t start at 33. They made the wrong choice.”
The 39-year-old gave his thoughts on Bianconeri defender Danilo, who is part of the Brazil squad for the World Cup.
“He’s the player I get on best with, despite playing in the same position as me. We get on well because when we’re together we chase away boredom. He’s a person of great intelligence, who loves football.
“He’s the only one I can talk to about other things, the conversation with him is advanced, evolved. On the pitch we are different, but since football is not played in only one way everyone can be useful.”
He spoke about which full backs he’s a fan of in modern football.
“I’m a fan of Joao Cancelo, then James from Chelsea and Alexander-Arnold, someone who, to return to the subject of everyone’s characteristics, with a 50-metre pass jumps two lines of pressure. And then Dani Alves, he looks very strong to me!”
The former PSG and Barcelona full back commented on Brazil’s chances at the World Cup.
“Brazil are always the favourites, because of tradition and history. Things that count in these tournaments.
“We have suffered in recent years but now we have built a squad with a very thick skin, for human qualities of the people this is the best locker room in Brazil for a long time.”
Finally, Dani Alves gave his thoughts on Paris Saint-Germain duo Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
“A great player must always know and understand who he has next to him, teammates enhance your qualities. Mbappé is a phenomenon, but he still hasn’t understood that those who play with him in attack are more phenomenal than him.
“Neymar and Messi are unique, they see and do things that no one else sees or can do. You have to be clever to take advantage of their potential, they are the two football geniuses.
“I think I can touch the ball well, but when I played with Leo I gave the ball to him, and if I play with Ney, I give the ball to him. If Mbappé gives the ball to those two he scores 150 goals.”
An absolute legend and one of the best Brasil has ever produced. Shame he tarnished his career in black and white, but he was smart enough to correct that error. Defend is all they know and the playbook keeps getting rolled out for CL comedy nights. Ground hog day.
Keep on hating, Kiddo! How does it feel Allegri living rent free in your head 24/7? lol What a pathetic creature you are…
alves still played great for us, barely had a bad game