Brazil are desperate to make a powerful statement of intent in Thursday's World Cup opener against Croatia as they seek to relieve the suffocating pressure that has engulfed the team in the build-up to the tournament.
Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has the luxury of being able to field the same team that destroyed world champions Spain 3-0 in the final of last year's Confederations Cup, with Barcelona star Neymar the focal point of a powerful and settled line-up.
The five-time champions are expected to qualify from their group without too much trouble but Barcelona defender Dani Alves admitted there was anxiety ahead of the Sao Paulo opener, as they seek to ease the jitters.
Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has the luxury of being able to field the same team that destroyed world champions Spain 3-0 in the final of last year's Confederations Cup, with Barcelona star Neymar the focal point of a powerful and settled line-up.
The five-time champions are expected to qualify from their group without too much trouble but Barcelona defender Dani Alves admitted there was anxiety ahead of the Sao Paulo opener, as they seek to ease the jitters.
"I have always said that if you don't feel anxiety it is not worth being a professional athlete. The opening game is difficult, important," said Alves.
"The three points count but so does the idea of sending out a message to our rivals. The most important game at the World Cup, for everyone, is the opening game."
He added: "We will only know on Thursday if everything is OK. We are very confident and we want this moment to come. We want to enjoy the World Cup. We are going to try to give a good image."
The only question mark for tournament favourites Brazil for the match at the new Corinthians Arena would appear to be over the out-of-sorts Oscar, with his impressive Chelsea team-mate Willian pushing for a starting berth.
But Scolari, who masterminded Brazil's last World Cup win in 2002, is likely to stick with his tried-and-tested winning formula against 18th-ranked Croatia after the same 11 edged past Serbia 1-0 in a friendly last week, courtesy of a goal from Fred.
Brazilian reserve striker Jo, speaking after training on Tuesday, said the mood in the camp was calm but the nerves would be jangling as kick-off approached, Croatia vs Brazil live showdown, watch Croatia vs Brazil live stream online, Watch Croatia vs Brazil live stream World cup, watch Croatia vs Brazil live stream world cup football online, Croatia vs Brazil live bet, Croatia vs Brazil live free online bet odds, Croatia vs Brazil live stream free watch, Croatia vs Brazil live score, Croatia vs Brazil live watch stream free, Croatia vs Brazil live goals, Croatia vs Brazil live draw, Croatia vs Brazil live online bet no deposit free watch, Croatia vs Brazil live today football free now, Croatia vs Brazil live stream free telecast, watch Croatia vs Brazil live stream free broadcast, Croatia vs Brazil live stream free channel, Croatia vs Brazil live free bet website, Croatia vs Brazil live stream free on youe desktop, Croatia vs Brazil live world cup fixture today online match, Croatia vs Brazil live performances, who won today Croatia vs Brazil match, Croatia vs Brazil live Univision Deportes, SiriusXM FC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, Futbol de Primera Radio, ESPN3, ESPN Radio, Watch ESPN, Univision free TV channels, Watch Croatia vs Brazil live stream STV Scotland, UTV, ITV 1, ITV Player free TV, Watch Croatia vs Brazil live stream direct Tv 24, Croatia vs Brazil live from fifa.com
"The three points count but so does the idea of sending out a message to our rivals. The most important game at the World Cup, for everyone, is the opening game."
He added: "We will only know on Thursday if everything is OK. We are very confident and we want this moment to come. We want to enjoy the World Cup. We are going to try to give a good image."
The only question mark for tournament favourites Brazil for the match at the new Corinthians Arena would appear to be over the out-of-sorts Oscar, with his impressive Chelsea team-mate Willian pushing for a starting berth.
But Scolari, who masterminded Brazil's last World Cup win in 2002, is likely to stick with his tried-and-tested winning formula against 18th-ranked Croatia after the same 11 edged past Serbia 1-0 in a friendly last week, courtesy of a goal from Fred.
Brazilian reserve striker Jo, speaking after training on Tuesday, said the mood in the camp was calm but the nerves would be jangling as kick-off approached, Croatia vs Brazil live showdown, watch Croatia vs Brazil live stream online, Watch Croatia vs Brazil live stream World cup, watch Croatia vs Brazil live stream world cup football online, Croatia vs Brazil live bet, Croatia vs Brazil live free online bet odds, Croatia vs Brazil live stream free watch, Croatia vs Brazil live score, Croatia vs Brazil live watch stream free, Croatia vs Brazil live goals, Croatia vs Brazil live draw, Croatia vs Brazil live online bet no deposit free watch, Croatia vs Brazil live today football free now, Croatia vs Brazil live stream free telecast, watch Croatia vs Brazil live stream free broadcast, Croatia vs Brazil live stream free channel, Croatia vs Brazil live free bet website, Croatia vs Brazil live stream free on youe desktop, Croatia vs Brazil live world cup fixture today online match, Croatia vs Brazil live performances, who won today Croatia vs Brazil match, Croatia vs Brazil live Univision Deportes, SiriusXM FC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, Futbol de Primera Radio, ESPN3, ESPN Radio, Watch ESPN, Univision free TV channels, Watch Croatia vs Brazil live stream STV Scotland, UTV, ITV 1, ITV Player free TV, Watch Croatia vs Brazil live stream direct Tv 24, Croatia vs Brazil live from fifa.com
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