Five times World Cup winners Brazil will face Holland on Friday without their influential midfield Elano, who injured his shin in the 3-1 victory over the Ivory Coast in the group stages. Elano, who turned 29 earlier this month, scored three goals in twenty starts for Turkish side Galatasaray. The former Manchester City man has scored two goals so far in this World Cup tournament – in the opener against North Korea and just before his injury against the Ivory Coast. Brazil managed to draw 0-0 with Portugal to finish top of the group before beating Chile handsomely in the last sixteen.
Brazil team doctor Jose Luiz Runco said Elano was suffering a bone bruise, the result of a crunching tackle in the second group game. Runco released the following statement: “He can walk and run without changing direction, the problem is the impact, when he puts weight on it. The bone is swollen inside, hence the name. The treatment is to avoid impact, he can work in a swimming pool and on the exercise bike. He could be better in a few days, a week or a month. We still hope he can play next week but I can’t say that categorically. He is working intensely so we have to see if nature can give a helping hand.”
The injury is frustrating for Elano who was hopeful of playing in the match against Chile last Monday, however the midfielder was critical of the referee who failed to give a foul for the challenge. Elano was quoted as saying: “I told the referee that he didn’t even give a free kick for a tackle which could have broken my leg. The same player then committed another heavy foul on Robinho for which he should have been sent off. They have to have another look at this type of violence because the people who are losing out are the ones who get injured. In our team, we have players with different characteristics but you never see our players committing a malicious tackle, in contrast to some of our opponents.”
