Defender Lucio is not worried with Brazil's defensive mistakes even though he acknowledges the back line has not been perfect at the World Cup so far.

Brazil started the World Cup with victories against North Korea and Ivory Coast, but allowed a goal in each match in uncharacteristic defensive mistakes.

"No one likes to concede goals, but there is no need for drama," the Brazil captain said. "We always need to try to improve and seek perfection, and we hope the mistakes don't happen again from now on."

Lucio said it was important the mistakes didn't come in crucial moments. Brazil was up 2-0 when the Koreans scored in the opening match at Ellis Park, and ahead 3-0 when Didier Drogba scored for Ivory Coast on Sunday at Soccer City.

"We have been talking among ourselves (about the mistakes)," Lucio said. "Of course we are not satisfied with the goals, but they came at a time that we could allow them."

Lucio will be playing his 15th World Cup match when Brazil faces Portugal to close out Group G on Friday, surpassing football great Pele. Lucio will climb to No. 6 on Brazil's all-time list for most World Cup matches, five behind leader Cafu.

Lothar Matthaus of Germany has played a record 25 matches.

Lucio played every match as Brazil won the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, plus five when it fell to France in the quarterfinals four years ago in Germany.

The humble, straightforward Lucio said he didn't even know he was about to pass Brazil's greatest player.

"I'm happy with that," Lucio said. "It's important, it gives me more motivation. But our goal here in the national team is not to reach individual records."

The 32-year-old Lucio has already played 95 internationals, the most by far among all 23 players in Brazil's squad along with defensive midfielder Gilberto Silva.

Lucio, who is coming off a Champions League title with Inter Milan, also helped Brazil win the 2005 and 2009 Confederations Cups.

He scored the winning goal when Brazil won last year's Confederations Cup final by beating the United States 3-2.

Lucio, who committed only two fouls in the first two matches, heads a defense which is seen as one of Brazil's strongest qualities. It also has Maicon, Juan and Michel Bastos.

The captain praised Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, but said Brazil isn't preparing any special defensive tactics to try and stop him.

"Without a doubt he is a great player, he has been showing this for a long time," Lucio said. "We need to try to defend as a team, it's key we help each other and stay focused. We will have to pay attention to a player like Ronaldo and also to the others."

Lucio said he was thrilled to have won the Champions League against former club Bayern Munich.

"I wasn't very happy with the way I left the club, but football is funny sometimes," Lucio said. "I was very happy to reach that final against a team that in a way didn't have confidence in my game. It was good to answer back in that final, it made me happy. It was one of the greatest titles of my life."

Brazil needs at least a draw against Portugal on Friday in Durban to secure first place in Group G.

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