Friends or foes?

Lucio, set to turn 32 on Saturday 8 May, has also taken steps to ensure he is in tip-top shape for South Africa 2010: “I try to work on my strength whenever I can to make sure I can get through so many matches. That’s why I’ve set up a home gym, which is a big help.”

One of the mainstays of the Inter side which is currently top of Serie A, in the final of the UEFA Champions League and which won the Italian Cup against Roma on Wednesday, Lucio has particularly caught the eye when denying the likes of Chelsea’s Didier Drogba and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi this season. Juan’s return to the Roma team after a muscular injury was also pivotal, his presence helping the capital club string together a 24-match unbeaten run including a league victory over Inter which has brought them within two points of Jose Mourinho’s side with two matches remaining.

“We’re not making a big deal of it [the rivalry]. Each of us fights for his team’s cause, but afterwards we’re still friends. We usually just chat in the tunnel beforehand because during the match, particularly as it’s Roma versus Inter, you have to be totally focused,” said Juan, who also faced his Brazil team-mate at Bundesliga level, once Lucio had left Leverkusen for Bayern Munich.

“Things aren’t easy. Every game is decisive and hugely competitive,” added Lucio, whose Inter team take on his former club Bayern in 22 May’s Champions League final. “There’s everything still to play for, but we’re having a good season and we’ll keep believing in ourselves right to the end.”

All of which must be music to Dunga’s ears as he prepares to select his final squad for South Africa 2010. Having his first-choice centre-backs in form and battling it out at the Serie A summit is a luxury few national coaches enjoy. However, given their past injury problems, can both stay fit long enough to line up together come Brazil’s Group G opener against Korea DPR on June 15?
source: ( fifa.com )