Is the Estádio do Maracanã ready? Is Rio de Janeiro ready? It seems so! As the heartland of Brazilian football and host of final of the 2014 World Cup next summer, Maracanã has undergone a massive refurbishment over the last three years. The construction work only finished in April and the surrounds are still a work in progress judging by the rubble and cement mixers outside the stadium for England’s visit this week but at last their friendly against Brazil finally went ahead. Originally in doubt due to safety concerns, some extraordinary work to clear away the rubble led to an entertaining contest as the two nations played out a 2-2 draw. Fred and Paulinho scored for the home team while Alex Chamberlain and Wayne Rooney put the ball in the back of the net for the Three Lions.
Estádio do Maracanã re-opens for the Brazil v England match
The host of the 2014 World Cup will welcome their first major challenge in less than two weeks tike when the FIFA Confederations Cup kicks off on 15 June. Brazil will host Asian Cup holder Japan at Estádio Nacional in the opening game of what should be an interesting event. We will publish a preview on the tournament next week so stay tuned! Germany suffered a setback in their friendly against the United States, who happen to be managed by none other than German football legend Jürgen Klinsmann. The Germans slumped to a shock 4-3 defeat although manager Joachim Löw, once Klinsmann’s assistant, won’t be too concerned given he was forced to field a second string team because of the absence of key players from Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
Look who’s back!
In the Meantime, newly crowned European champions Bayern added another trophy to their glorious season, beating Stuttgart comprehensively in the German Cup final to complete the treble. Their manager Jupp Heynckes bows out of the football in style having already won the Bundesliga and the Champions League this season. Another top manager, José Mourinho, arrived in London this week to finalize his return to Chelsea six years after he departed following a series of run-ins with owner Roman Abramovich. A tremendous character, we all welcome the return of “The Special One.”
