Bayern Munich defender Dante hoping to make his international debut against England on Wednesday
Bayern Munich defender Dante’s impressive start to the season could see him make his international debut against England at Wembley on Wednesday and the centreback is relishing the opportunity.
Dante, 29, moved to Munich from Borussia Moenchengladbach last summer and has been a vital part of the German giants defence which has conceded just seven goals in 20 league games this season, a new Bundesliga record.
"I´ve taken the first step. I want to seize this chance and show my qualities," he said.
Dante has played in Europe since 2004 when he moved from Juventude to French club Lille and the defender, who also played for Charleroi and Standard Liege before moving to Germany, is looking forward to the prospect of facing one of the best forwards on the continent, Wayne Rooney.
"I´m really pleased to have got the call and I´m looking forward to the prospect (of facing Rooney)," he said.
"He´s a world-class striker - a high quality player. His movement is fantastic. He´s got everything. You have to be right on your game against those sort of players because they can turn a game in a flash."
And Dante is hopeful he can continue his club form for the Seleção, as he sets his sights on a place in this summer’s Confederations Cup and next year’s World Cup, both set in Brazil.
"I´m aiming high. There´s no way I´ll ease back now, I´ll work even harder and try and make a convincing case for myself," he added.
England-Brazil: Neymar positive about first conversations with Felipão
Brazil forward Neymar insists he is looking forward to playing under new Seleção head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, as the side prepare to take on England at Wembley.
Neymar, 20, is undoubtedly the biggest star of the Brazilian game at present and will once more be under great pressure to perform when the two sides meet on Wednesday evening.
Having spoken with Felipão on the plane journey to London, Neymar was quick to praise the incoming manager and his potential influence on the side.
“He´s our big father-figure. He´s one of the group, who treats everybody in a positive way,” Neymar said. “I´ve played against him, but I´ve never played for him. It will be the first time and it will be an honour.
“We talked a bit on the flight, we exchanged ideas and we spoke about the clássico (where Santos beat São Paulo)—we didn´t talk about the Seleção.”
The match on Wednesday will be the first occasion on which Neymar and several, of the Brazil squad have revisited the stadium since the final of the Olympic Games, a game in which Brazil were defeated 2-1 by an excellent Mexico side.
England-Brazil - Ronaldinho: Rooney would improve any country
Ahead of his side´s meeting with England at Wembley on Wednesday night, returning Brazil star Ronaldinho has paid tribute to opposite number Wayne Rooney—a man he says would improve any national side.
Ronaldinho returns to the Brazil setup after an 18-month absence and will hope to impress against England, but spoke in glowing terms about several of his upcoming opponents in a pre-match press conference
"Rooney is a player I like - there is not a national squad in the world he would not improve," he told reporters. "Ashley Cole is a fantastic defender. I have seen him keep the best players in the world quiet."
Beyond that, he added that the duo, alongside Paul Scholes and Frank Lampard, "would have got into any team in the world" when all at the peak of their powers as a professional footballer.
The atmosphere heading into the encounter has been one of good spirits, with both sides full of kind words regarding their opposition. Both countries will now be hoping to lay down a marker at Wembley, with the Brazil-hosted 2014 World Cup just 18 months away.
England-Brazil: Chelsea star Oscar hopes to beat England in "derby" fixture
Chelsea midfielder Oscar hopes to emerge victorious from Brazil´s friendly encounter with England on Wednesday—a match which he describes as a "derby" game.
Oscar, 20, joined Chelsea last summer and quickly became an important first-team player, despite the turmoil that has engulfed the club at various stages of the season.
Heading into the game, to be played just a few miles for his new London home, Oscar hopes that his side can make amends for Olympic disappointment on the hallowed Wembley turf.
He told CBF TV: "I hope we start 2013 well. It is a beautiful stadium and will be a beautiful game, but we´ll do everything to win it.
"It will be different for those of us who play in England. It´s a derby, I hope we have a great game, and that I have a great game too."
His views were echoed by Chelsea teammate David Luiz, who added: "It´s a special game. I haven´t had the opportunity to play against England, who have many quality players and some of them are my team-mates too."
England-Brazil: "Mature" Miranda looking to press World Cup place
Atlético Madrid defender Miranda will return to the Brazil national team this week as they face England at Wembley, with the aim of securing his place at the 2014 World Cup.
Miranda, 28, represented Brazil on six occasions after making his debut in 2009, but believes that he is a better and more mature player for his move from São Paulo to Atlético in 2011.
A Europa League winner in 2011-12, Miranda has been a crucial player in his side flying high in 2nd place in the Premier League and hopes that his form will see him maintain a place in the Seleção until the coming World Cup.
“The aim is to remain in the side until the World Cup. I return to the national team more experienced and more mature,” Miranda told reporters.
“I have learned many things here in Europe. I came across at a very good time. I´m at my peak, in a brilliant run of form and I have been praised a lot by the Spanish.
“I was not frustrated, because I always calm that I would be called up sooner or later.”
Brasil: Flamengo, Vasco, Fluminense, Botafogo (100% Carioca) Rio > Säo Paulo
MENGÃO TRI DA AMÈRICA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RlVt8zJhXQ