Cape Town - Brazil
midfielder Willian expects Croatia to be highly competitive when the
two teams play against each other in the World Cup opener at the
Corinthians Arena on Thursday.
"We know it will be a hard game. They will go all in against us. They will play the game of their lives because the world is watching," Willian told journalists on Wednesday.
"Everyone we play will raise their game against us. But we can’t worry about that. We just have to focus on ourselves and make sure we win the game."
However, the Chelsea star still believes that the Selecao of 2014 have the capacity to overcome adversity, as the team bid to lift their sixth World Cup title in front of Brazilian fans. Brazil have not lifted the World Cup in 12 years now and Willian expects that most teams will make a concerted effort to impede their efforts at this year’s tournament.
"The Brazilians, as a nation, they deserve it. They have been waiting a long time.
"Every team we play will treat us like their World Cup final. We know that’s the size of the task we face but we are ready for it," added Willian.
"We know we have fantastic support from the fans and we will give everything to make them happy.
"It’s going to be difficult. But we have a good team and are full of confidence."
"We know it will be a hard game. They will go all in against us. They will play the game of their lives because the world is watching," Willian told journalists on Wednesday.
"Everyone we play will raise their game against us. But we can’t worry about that. We just have to focus on ourselves and make sure we win the game."
However, the Chelsea star still believes that the Selecao of 2014 have the capacity to overcome adversity, as the team bid to lift their sixth World Cup title in front of Brazilian fans. Brazil have not lifted the World Cup in 12 years now and Willian expects that most teams will make a concerted effort to impede their efforts at this year’s tournament.
"The Brazilians, as a nation, they deserve it. They have been waiting a long time.
"Every team we play will treat us like their World Cup final. We know that’s the size of the task we face but we are ready for it," added Willian.
"We know we have fantastic support from the fans and we will give everything to make them happy.
"It’s going to be difficult. But we have a good team and are full of confidence."