Taison: Looking for excuses is for the weak

02-04-15 21:30:36

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Taison burst into the Ukrainian championship like dashing hurricane, like thunder. One cannot describe the madness of Kharkiv fans without exclamation marks and ellipses when it came to mentioning a recently purchased newcomer with unpretentious and familiar name.

From the first days in Kharkiv, Taison brought traditional Brazil lightness and magic into Metalist’s game. He had only one drawback. Usually the interests of the team must prevail over personal interests. Taison was made of different material. He played for himself, for his pleasure, and as he likes. He could let the team down, as it was in the game with Sampdoria, when he received a red card for the emotional rush of adrenalin. But they would forgive him because Taison alone could turn any surprises on the scoreboard in favour of Metalist, as in the above game with Sampdoria - his gorgeous shot from a distance, when he equalised! By the way, it was his first goal in the European competitions for Metalist, but not the last one.

Success required to continue. Taison got used to European football within a year. In a duet with Clayton Xavier and under the strict supervision of Jose Sosa in his second season on the Ukrainian soil Taison rushed to the conquest of the European cup.

It is really nice to recall the magical atmosphere that prevailed in at Metalist. I had the opportunity to fly with all the teams in the same plane, but I never such a mental team climate! It was indeed a truly cohesive Latin American squad with small patches of Ukraine, as if it reminded that the team were still ours.

One can argue whether Metalist could get the most, if it overcame Sporting Lisbon. But one cannot deny that this was the strongest Metalist’s squad in the history of existence! And the team’s engine or motor, if you will, was Taison (Xavier acted as a conductor), scoring five goals in European competitions (Sochaux, AZ, Malmo (2), Salzburg).

The third run in the European competitions, which ended no less bitter defeat at the hands of Newcastle, also presented the full range of endless emotions, including Taison. One could mention that goal versus Rosenborg! But the thing is that there was present some kind of innuendo. Again speculations and controversy: if Taison had stayed until the end of the season and would have played against Newcastle – the team may have advanced from the last-32!

But Taison reached a new orbit and tried on the Champions League. A new chapter in the eventful career of a football player began with Borussia Dortmund. And it started very timidly. Taison was put into tactics, like a bird in a cage ("our bird should not be hurt!").

At Shakhtar, Taison was very long taught not only play with the ball, but with no less energy without the ball. He lost in the glare and fantasy, but at the same time he became more valuable and reliable. Taison gained or lost from it? As "fantazista" – he rather lost. But as a footballer of European formation – he won. Just like making a player ready to play for Chelsea as was case with Willian, Lucescu is turning Taison into a tactically competent player for some of Europe's leading teams.

It is very likely that we are witnessing Taison’s last months in Ukraine. He is now in dangerously close proximity to the move to one of the European giants, it is unlikely we risk to make a mistake with this prediction. Plus Bayern turned on the style. So, the conversation with Taison may seem a bit sad. Especially for the Kharkiv fans, for whom he is already a turned page. But glorious page to which one wants to return again and again.

I do not think that UEFA are killing Ukrainian teams

- The Munich tragedy would not have happened without daring Scottish referee William Callum, who sent off Kucher in the third minute, would it?
- No doubt, it was a great injustice. It was not really a professional foul. It is very difficult to lose a player in the third minute of the game against a team like Bayern. Naturally, tactical ideas of Mr. Lucescu vanished into dust. We have to forget that black evening as soon as possible.

- Do you think that the Ukrainian teams are openly killed in Europe?
- I would not say so. I think Ukrainian clubs have enough weight at UEFA, at least because they are strong. Dynamo and Dnipro continue their campaigns in the Europa League; they are in the top eight.

- But you saw the match between Guingamp and Dynamo. It seems that Ukrainian teams do not really want to be seen at key stages, doesn’t it?
- Maybe this is due to the political situation in the country? In Ukraine, the war is in full swing, maybe UEFA reinsure in that way... But, I repeat, Ukrainian clubs have shown their strength, overcoming difficulties on the way.

- After such a fiasco, as in the game with Bayern, is there such a desire to give up on football?
- No way! In football, it happens. Life goes on.

- Have you already recovered from that defeat?
- This is not easy. It is clear that Bayern are one of the best teams in the world, and they can beat anyone 7-0, they have been repeatedly winning with big results in the Bundesliga this season, and in the Champions League they scored seven goals not only versus us. In general, we must forget thinking about this failure.

- Is it possible to compare it with Germany’s 7-1 win over Brazil at the World Cup?
- No. These are two different cases. Club football and football of national teams are not the same. In addition, in that game one team conceded five goals in the first half hour and stopped.

- Were are very upset when Lucescu replaced you on 5 minutes? Or was it for the better?
- Neither better nor worse. Naturally, I was unhappy with such an early substitution. I think any other player would feel the same. But I have great respect for Lucescu and understand what caused the replacement.

- Why is it more difficult for Ukrainian clubs to play with Germans teams (Bayer - 0:4, Dortmund - 0:3, Bayern - 0:7)?
- Because German clubs are running the show in European football. Dortmund, for instance, played in the Champions League final in the year when we lost to them, and faced Bayern. But, I think we had a very decent match against Bayern in Lviv. The 0-0 left us with a good chance before the second game. Who knows how things would have panned out but for the sending off.

- Now you're not interested in following the Champions League, are you?
- I always watch football with great pleasure.

- Do you wish Bayern to win the Champions League?
- Bayern have good chances of playing in the final.

- Whom will you support? Maybe for PSG, where the entire defence consists of Brazil?
- Of course! But, I think they will not reach the final. Among eight remaining teams, Bayern, Real and Barcelona will fight for the title.

I won’t be happy with Dynamo’s or Dnipro’s win in the Europa League

- Do you see Dynamo or Dnipro in the final of the Europa League?
- In light of the home match with Everton, I can say that Dynamo have a chance. However, each game is a different story. No one knows what will happen in a month and in what condition the team will be when the time comes to the quarter-finals.

- Will you be happy, if Dnipro and Dynamo win the trophy?
- Oh. Well, how do you want me to answer? They are our competitors. I will not be happy if one of them will win the Europa League trophy. But I wish them good luck!

- In your opinion, what components are Dynamo superior to Shakhtar in?
- (Long pause.) Beinng third team in Ukraine. Perhaps, this is the most difficult period for Shakhtar. If the team take first place, it is stronger than the second and third places. Excuses are for the weak. Everyone knows that Shakhtar are strong and deserve respect. Well, the fact of us being weaker than Dinamo is a temporary phenomenon.

- Do you care about what is happening to Metalist?
- I feel sorry for the fans, but I worry a lot about Metalist myself. I really hope that the worst is over.

- Mr. Lucescu claims that the scheme of the championship needs to be changed, he even offered to introduce the knock-out stages. What do you think?
- I agree with Mister. Why do some teams must play all games on the road, and Dynamo, for example – play almost all the matches at home? Where is a sports component? I think at the end of the championship the club leaders should sit down at the negotiating table and change the scheme of the championship. In any case, it cannot continue that way.

- How strong has the level of the championship decreased during the last year?
- It has decreased! Quite strong. But this is not the fault of the clubs, but because of the situation in the country.

- Can the outflow of foreign players from Ukraine bring benefits?
- And it depends on the policy of the clubs. Some are relying on foreign players, while others – on home grown players, and others – on loaned players. One cannot deny that foreigners play an important role. We have thirteen foreigners in the team. This direction is chosen by Shakhtar. There is a downside. The limit on foreign players should be taken into account.

- Whom do you keep in touch among your former team-mates at Metalist?
- The boys are back in Argentina and Brazil. There cannot be close connection a priori. In Ukraine, there is only Edmar. I am in constant contact with him.

- At Metalist, the best friend of yours was Argentinian Cristian Villagra. Do you regret that he had not moved to Dnipro?
- You know, it doesn’t only have to do with Villagra’s decesion, but in the fact that he is a family man too. He stayed so long at Metalist. Five years is a considerable period. He returned to Argentina for one reason only: Kitty wanted to be with his family.

- How big was the likelihood of Clayton Xavier joining Shakhtar?
- There were talks. But Xavier chose Palmeiras, and I think he is absolutely happy.

It is better to play in the snow than rain

- Taison, Clayton Xavier, Sosa, Villagra, Cristaldo... Great team, without exaggeration! Why have you not won anything?
- Hmm... The defeat versus Sporting was the bitterest. We enjoyed a confident campaign and stopped a few steps away from the final.

- What was the key to the defeat versus Sporting?
- Xavier’s miss from a penalty spot. He had always converted penalty kicks but missed in that match.

- The most memorable game in European competition?
- Against Olympiakos on the road. Kung Fu from Villagra was something. A fantastic goal!

- Which is worse: to play in the shower as it was with PSV, or in the snow, as with Rosenborg?
- It is worse to play in the shower.

- When you and Villagra just joined Metalist, you were too emotional. Villagra got the red card in the game with PSV, you - with Sampdoria. The blood is still hot after South America?
- Exactly! In the first game it was Villagra, in the second – it was me who was shown the red card. But you know what? It was a great moment. I have the blood run from the memories. It doesn’t matter that we received red cards – it is important how Metalist played! It was bright, inspiring football.

- How did Markevych respond to your sending-off?
- Uh-uh. Of course, he was angry. Every game was marked by the red card. (Laughs.) I do not know what he would have done to me, if we had not beaten Sampdoria.

- Are you now much calmer than you were back then?
- Well, I'm 27! Wiser. I realized that football is not just me and my antics. Experience comes with age.

- How many times have you watched your goal versus Rosenborg?
- Oh-oo-oo!!! Many times, a lot. I would even watch it now.

- What goal brought you more buzz: solo against Sochaux, the first few seconds of the game with Salzburg or a goal versus Manchester United?
- Sochaux!

- I understand that you and Xavier had the dispute over the most beautiful goal in the history of Metalist?
- No. (Laughs.) That’s how it happened by itself.

- What was the most beautiful goal from Xavier at Metalist?
- Versus Chornomorets. From centre of the field.

- Are the goals with a "scorpion kick" (Dnipro) or a volley (Sampdoria) less beautiful?
- You are asked to name the best - I named!

Everything was very serious with Chelsea

- Ukrainian sources claimed that Metalist bought Taison from Internationale for $ 6 million. Brazilians - for 13.4 million. Who is closer to the truth?
- I never go into these issues.

- In January 2013, Shakhtar officially paid Metalist 15 million euros for your transfer. Were you blown away by the price the club paid for you?
- No I was not. It doesn’t matter how much they pay for a football player - fifteen, twenty or twenty-five million. What is important is how many trophies the team will claim with him. Hopefully, Shakhtar received dividends, spending money on a purchase.

- How realistic was the interest from Chelsea?
- Very real. I did have an offer from Chelsea, but negotiations do not always result in contracts. Unfortunately, the president of Metalist did not want to sell me Chelsea.

- Immediately, there were games against Borussia in the Champions League. Was it easy to adjust to a new level?
- Yes. Firstly, the level of the Europa League is still significantly different from the level of the Champions League knock-out stages. Second, the style of Metalist’s and Shakhtar’s play are absolutely different. After Metalist, I experienced some difficulties at Shakhtar. I had to fit into the frame of Lucescu. Markevych gave me a lot more freedom. At Metalist, I was not burdened by any tactical schemes. I had complete freedom in terms of improvisation.

- But now, it seems, Lucescu still allows you certain improvisation?
- It is an illusion. If I played as I did at Metalist, I would score a lot more. The strength of Metalist lies in the counterattacks. At Shakhtar, football is different. I carry out other functions, not only attacking. At Shakhtar, I'm not a free artist, and therefore the scoring average is lower.

- When does you contract with Shakhtar expire?
- In 2018.

- How great is probability of you leaving earlier?
- I've still got a lot of years of the contract with Shakhtar. Only time will tell if I stay here until 2018.

Bernard is still young

- You were willing to play for the national team of Ukraine. Do you still have such a desire?
- The fact is that no one has contacted me; I do not have even Ukrainian passport. On the other hand, I was received very well in Ukraine, loved and respected.

- Naturally, you want to play for the national team of Brazil. After 0:7 from Bayern, are there fewer chances that Dunga will still look actively towards Ukraine?
- It is unlikely that one game can affect Dunga’s views.

- You are 27. Is it possible at this age to get into the Brazil national team?
- It is incredibly difficult to get to the Brazil national team at any age. The competition is extremely high.

- Do you think you deserve to play in the national team?
- It is not up to me to decide. My job is to work and prove my right to be invited to play for the national team.

- What did you and Teixeira feel when Dunga called up Luiz Adriano, Fred and Douglas Costa?
- Do you think that we envied them? Not at all! We were just happy for the guys. This is a great success. They are our friends, not competitors.

- What grade would you give the Brazil national team for the 2014 World Cup?
- Taking into account the defeat in the semi-finals, eight out of ten.

- Whom did the Brazil national team miss at the 2014 World Cup?
- Ronaldinho!

- Who is stronger: Hulk or Willian?
- They are two completely different players in terms of style. It all depends on tactics. Hulk is excellent in terms of physique. It can be used in games with physically strong teams. Willian is more technically capable footballer. But, if I were a coach, I would prefer Hulk.

- What do you think, Bernard has a chance to return to the national team?
- Of course. He's a nice guy. He is still young. (Laughs.)

- The 2018 World Cup will be held in Russia. What is your attitude to this country?
- I think that Russia is not a bad country. They are just warlike. But this is politics. People have nothing to do with that.

Vava? Not heard

- How is your mom Vava, is she with you in Kyiv?
- Yes. She is my everything. There are not enough all the best adjectives to describe her. A wonderful woman who gave birth to 11 children.

- What is your number?
- Eighth!

- Can you name all brothers and sisters?
- Easy. Tatiana, Felipe, Fabian, twins Leandro and Marsio, Diego, Jacqueline, Yasmin, Camilla and Umberto.

- Where is a huge poster, presented to you by the fans of Metalist "Thank you for Vava for son Taison son?"
- A home in Brazil.

- Is Vava a mother's name or nickname?
- Nickname. This is how she has been called since her childhood.

- Do you know such a player?
- Is there such?

- Yes! Two-time world champion, who played alongside Pele.
- I have never heard that name.

- Is it true that you talk to your mom on the phone before every game?
- This is like a ritual, I guess. It has been the case since Internationale.

- You are always with your headphones before the game. Is it also ritual?
- Something like that.

- Do you listen to relaxing or motivating music?
- Pagoda or samba. In short, fiery and rhythmic music.

- I know that you have a daughter in Brazil. How old is she?
- Yes, she is seven. Maria Eduarda. But I was not involved in a marriage. I have a new girlfriend - Gabriela.  We have been together for two years. She lives in Kyiv with me. She is a beautiful, compelling girl.

- What kind of movies with Wesley Snipes and Van Damme (childhood favourite actors) do you like?
- I'm crazy about Denzel Washington. The Equalizer is a great movie!

- It is true that as a child you imagined yourself as Rambo?
- Ha-ha-ha. No, this is not true.

- You had very difficult childhood, didn’t you?
- Yes. Sometimes in search of food my mother sent me and my brother in the church where we were given soup, porridge.

- Is any of the brothers playing football?
- Only I have become professional.

- Your mom named you in honour of Mike Taison. Vava wanted you to be strong as Taison, didn’t she?
- No, my mother just liked Mike Taison.

- But you grew up the exact opposite of Mike?
- I had anemia. I grew up puny. The lack of food was felt.

- I read that you do not have a driver's license, and hence the car either?
- In Kyiv, I do not need a car. I bought a car in Brazil. Of course, I received a driving license.

- You washed the car in the parking lot and earned 7-8 reais per day. You gave five reais to the mother and kept two reals. To play at Fliperama. This is apparently a musical instrument?
- No-no. This a video game.

- When did you start to work?
- Since the age of ten.

- Where else did you moonlight?
- Oh, I worked in all kinds of places. I worked where there was an opportunity to earn a penny. Washing, building, painting houses.

- Your mother speaks about Ukraine: "The Ukrainian people are very serious, they do not smile a lot. But they work very hard”. What would you add?
- This is true. The average Ukrainian rarely smiles. Brazil is associated with laughter and fun. So it was unusual to see unsmiling, serious faces, when I arrived in Kharkiv. Now I am used to it. Now, because of the war, life in Ukraine is doubly complicated. It is clear that there are many reasons to smile.

- "A man who has lived for three years in Ukraine, can survive even in India or Africa." These are your words. Is it really that bad?
- It's all because of the hostilities. In general, Ukraine is delightful country.

- If not football, David Luiz would become a professor of mathematics. What would Taison become?
- Maybe I would help people in the street. In general, I am very happy that I was able to break out of poverty into football. This has opened up great opportunities and, most importantly, secured comfortable life for my mother and my family.

Futbol weekly
02.04.2015