Brazil tidak ingin menganggap remeh Swiss karena para pemain Brazil saat ini pernah mengalami kenyataan disingkirkan Swiss pada Piala Dunia U-17 di Nigeria 9 tahun lalu. Alisson, penjaga gawang Brazil, mengatakan komposisi pemain Swiss dan Brazil saat ini mirip dengan kejadian 9 tahun lalu. Saat itu Brazil yang butuh poin dikalahkan Swiss 1-0. "Itu salah satu ironi hidup. Itu bukan momen yang ingin kami kenang karena kami tersisih. Mereka memiliki sisi kuat," ujarnya pada laman resmi FIFA, Sabtu (16/6/2018). Adapun, pertemuan antara Brazil dan Swiss bakal berlangsung pada 17 Juni 2018. Kedua negara itu tergabung bersama Kosta Rika dan Serbia yang menghuni grup E. Brazil sangat diunggulkan untuk lolos dari grup E karena di atas kertas menghadapi lawan yang relatif lebih lemah. Namun, Brazil tetap mewaspadai kejutan yang mungkin terjadi. Penjaga gawang AS Roma itu menambahkan sedikitnya tujuh pemain Brazil tumbuh bersama karena lahir pada 1992. Pemain Brazil saat ini jauh lebih berpengalaman dan dewasa karena telah memiliki jam terbang pada kompetisi level tinggi Eropa. "Kami tumbuh bersama dan kami mengenal satu sama lain. Itu membuat cerita semakin menarik," tambahnya.
Neymar scored for Brazil on his return after injury
Much-fancied Brazil get their World Cup campaign underway when they take on Switzerland in Group E in Rostov on Sunday (7pm BST).
The five-time champions look to have returned to their best under head coach Tite and were the first team to qualify for the tournament.
They have continued their impressive form in their warm-up games and forwards Willian, Roberto Firmino, Gabriel Jesus, Philippe Coutinho and Neymar all looked in good shape in wins over Croatia and Austria.
Brazil will also be looking to banish some demons after being humiliated 7-1 by Germany at the last World Cup as tournament hosts.
They are one of the favourites to win the World Cup, for a record sixth time, and have only lost once in 21 games under Tite.
Tite will lead Brazil into the World Cup finals for the first time against Switzerland on Sunday
"The 7-1 is no longer in our heads, we have the level to be world champions again and re-write our history," said defender Thiago Silva.
"We have greater confidence," added midfielder Paulinho. "Brazil are better prepared in a number of ways. That is just part of football. In four years you learn a lot of things."
Standing in Brazil's way are a Switzerland side who are ranked sixth in the world after winning nine games in a row in qualifying.
They were also unbeaten in four warm-up games, including a 1-1 draw with Spain.
And manager Vladimir Petkovic, leading the country into a World Cup for the first time, admitted he has taken special measures to stop Neymar, who recovered from a broken foot in time to play his part in the tournament.
"Of course Neymar is an exceptional player," said Petkovic. "It is difficult to hold him back throughout an entire match. Along with Cristiano Ronaldo, he is one of the strongest players in the world.
"We have to prepare mentally to play against such strong players."
Costa Rica and Serbia also meet in Group E on Sunday.
Team news
Neymar is back to fitness having played and scored in two warm-up matches for Brazil, leaving coach Tite's only real dilemma between starting Jesus and Firmino in attack. Firmino scored only once in qualifying, but did net in a friendly win over Croatia earlier this month.
2:17 Watch some of Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino's best moments in the Premier League last season for Liverpool Watch some of Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino's best moments in the Premier League last season for Liverpool
Switzerland will have to do without Admir Mehmedi, who is ruled out by injury, and still have a question to answer over whether to start Haris Seferovic in attack.
Opta stats
Brazil and Switzerland's only previous World Cup encounter was on Brazilian soil in 1950, it ended 2-2.
Switzerland have topped their group only once previously at the World Cup, it was in 2006. That was the year they became the only team not to concede a single goal at a World Cup (4 games, 0 goal conceded).
Switzerland won all bar one of their games in the regular qualifying phase for Russia 2018 (W9 L1), the only exception coming against Portugal away.
Brazil are unbeaten in their last 12 World Cup group games, winning 10 (D2), their last defeat in the group phase dating back to 1998 against Norway. In fact, Brazil have topped their group (Round 1) in every single World Cup since 1982 and last failed to progress past the first round in 1966.
Brazil have also won 16 of their last 18 opening games at the World Cup (D2). The last time they lost their first game in the tournament was in 1934 against Spain (1-3).
Xherdan Shaqiri has been directly involved in five of Switzerland's last six goals at major tournaments (4 goals, 1 assist). He's also the last player to score a hat-trick at the World Cup (v Honduras, 25 June 2014).
2:47 Brazil and Switzerland face each other in their Group E World Cup opener. We look at a key battle in this match between Fernandinho and Xherdan Shaqiri Brazil and Switzerland face each other in their Group E World Cup opener. We look at a key battle in this match between Fernandinho and Xherdan Shaqiri
Neymar was involved in five of Brazil's 11 goals at the last World Cup (4 goals, 1 assist). He was also involved in more goals than any other player in the CONMEBOL qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup (6 goals, 8 assists).
Handed the role in June 2016, Brazil manager Tite will experience his first World Cup. His Brazil side picked up 41 points in qualifying, winning 12 and losing only one of their 18 games, the best tally in CONMEBOL since Argentina's 43 points in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers.
This is Vladimir Petković's first World Cup as manager and second major tournament with Switzerland after Euro 2016 where the Nati remained unbeaten, penalty shoot-outs excluded (W1 D3).
Merson's prediction
A walk in the park for Brazil, who I am backing to win this game 3-0. The Swiss were lucky against Spain recently when David de Gea gifted them their goal. And this Brazil team, I think they will walk the World Cup as they are head and shoulders above everyone else.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (8/1 with Sky Bet)
Tournament favourites Brazil are 2/5 with Sky Bet to secure their first three points against Switzerland, who are rank outsiders at 7/1, with the draw at 10/3.
Neymar is 5/2 favourite to open the goal scoring, with Gabriel Jesus (11/4), Robert Firmino (3/1), and Philippe Coutinho (5/1) following in the market, while Switzerland's Josip Drmic's is 9/1 to score first.
Brazil are 9/2 to win the World Cup for the sixth time, whereas the Swiss are 150/1 to win their first ever major tournament.
You can bet with Sky Bet by clicking here.
The pressure is on Brazil, as always, to win the World Cup and exorcise that 7-1 defeat but Tite is relaxed with the expectation
For a section of the Brazilian media here Tite’s novel policy of rotating the Seleção captaincy from game to game, in an effort to promote collective leadership, raises the obvious question: who gets the gig in the final and lifts the World Cup trophy?
At the last tournament in Brazil the then manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari, had talked about “seven steps to heaven”. His team, notoriously, would descend into hell after step six – the 7-1 humbling against Germany, which has hung over them ever since.
The exorcism will be possible only if Brazil can go all the way in Russia and there is no doubt that failure is not exactly on the press agenda at present. A nation does not expect, it assumes and, given the way Tite has re-energised the set-up, who can blame them?
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The pressure is excruciating and, when Tite faced the media on the eve of Sunday’s Group E opener against Switzerland, it seemed revealing that he was asked whether he was on any medication to help him sleep. His response – part humour, part conviction – reflected his comfort and it extends to the trappings of Brazil’s tag of favourites. They are here to win it and Tite is not afraid to say so.
“As somebody who has been through eight or nine surgeries, I take no drugs,” he said. “I try to manage my ghosts, my angst, my human side. Yes, there is this expectation. I just try to focus on what matters.
“The work we have done gives us the expectation but also a lot of inner peace. We have been building up to this for some time. Winning is a dream and my focus is totally geared to that. It feels like the world is looking at us but we want to be natural on the pitch, like we have been in all the games.”
Tite has given the captaincy to Marcelo for the Switzerland tie and, with Dani Alves out injured, it appears that he will continue to pass the armband around. He had previously indicated that Alves, who has captained the team the most during his tenure, would assume the responsibility in Russia. Each member of Tite’s likely XI against Switzerland has captained the team, even the 21-year-old striker Gabriel Jesus.
Marcelo, one of only six survivors from the last World Cup, radiated confidence, particularly when asked about the 7-1. “There is no longer any trauma,” Marcelo said. “If there was, I wouldn’t be playing any more. I would have retired. Of course, I wish it were different but there is no trauma. I always look for new goals and this World Cup is another challenge.
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“The captaincy is something that I like. When you are a kid playing on the beach, you dream of representing the national team and now I have the opportunity to be captain at a World Cup. Money cannot buy this feeling. In the group everybody contributes but I am 30 and, of course, you gain experience.”
In the numbers game that can colour match previews Tite can point to having suffered defeat only once in his 21 matches in charge – against Argentina in a friendly. There have been 17 wins. But there is another detail that seems to have slipped under the radar.
It comes from the Switzerland side and it is the one that shows them in sixth position in the Fifa world rankings, looking down on France and Spain, among others. How the world governing body gets to its master-list is often questioned and mocked but do not tell the Swiss they do not deserve their status. “We have worked hard to have this ranking,” Stephan Lichtsteiner, the captain, said. Before the Brazil game it underpins the quiet confidence that has built around their camp.
Vladimir Petkovic’s team are set up to pass and pass – everything goes through the midfield fulcrum Granit Xhaka – and there was the statistic from Euro 2016, when Switzerland reached the last 16, that showed they had enjoyed more possession than their opponents in every game, even against France in the final group tie, which finished 0-0.
‘He fell down very often’: Granit Xhaka set to lock horns with Neymar again Read more
Switzerland have the utmost respect for Brazil and it was a snappy soundbite when Lichtsteiner said that Neymar, whom Tite revealed was not yet 100% fit after ankle and metatarsal damage, was “practically impossible to neutralise completely over 90 minutes”.
The right-back is set for a direct confrontation with Brazil’s brightest star. “He is probably the best and most complete player in that position in the world,” Lichtsteiner added. But he returned with a measure of swiftness to Switzerland’s pre-match message – they are hellbent on showcasing their own game.
“It’s about us imposing ourselves and using our full-backs to get forward,” Lichtsteiner said. “We have to be cohesive as a team and close the gaps when we confront players like Neymar.”
Petkovic mentioned how his team’s mentality had grown during his four years in charge. They have lost only once in their previous 22 matches, winning 16 of them. “I always focus on our way of playing,” he said. “We will try to dominate and win. We are not here to make a lovely match against Brazil but to win it.”
Following his return from injury, Neymar has scored against Croatia and Austria in International friendlies.
BBC coverage
How to follow: Listen on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC local radio; text commentary on the BBC Sport website
TEAM NEWS
Brazil forward Neymar will be fit to face Switzerland after making his first start since February in their final World Cup warm-up match with Austria.
The 26-year-old required an operation on a fractured foot and has played just 129 minutes since - scoring twice.
Switzerland, who have lost only once in their last 22, have key men Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri available.
Arsenal's Xhaka was said to be "very relieved" after suffering an injury scare in training at the end of May.
MATCH PREVIEW
Brazil's players insist the 7-1 humiliation to Germany at the 2014 World Cup has now been forgotten, but there is no doubt that Tite's 2018 squad will be aiming to set the record straight in Russia.
Only six of the class of 2014 - including Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar - have survived in an exciting side that boasts attacking riches, as well as a sturdier defence, which saw the five-time winners qualify for the tournament with four games to spare.
Switzerland manager Vladimir Petkovic has made no secret of the fact that his resilient side, who are ranked sixth in the world, will be happy to ruin the spectacle against their toughest Group F opponents.
The Swiss, who had to settle for a play-off place despite winning nine of their 10 qualifying matches, held Spain to a 1-1 draw in their build up to the tournament and most recently defeated Japan 2-0.
VIEW FROM BOTH CAMPS
Brazil defender Thiago Silva: "After three months, and having played just a game and a half, he [Neymar] is already playing at a high level. Nobody expected that. Not even him.
"The 7-1 is no longer in our heads, we have the level to be world champions again and re-write our history."
Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic: "We're not here to make a lovely match but to win it.
"We'll try to be as organised as possible, you need to provoke a team like Brazil into making mistakes so you can create opportunities, that's the mentality you need to have because we'll need to score one or two goals to win the game."
Brazil conceded five first-half goals as they crashed out at the semi-final stage of their home World Cup in 2014.
LAWRO'S PREDICTION
Brazil are my pick to win the World Cup, because the players they have got in midfield and attack are just frightening.
Switzerland, in contrast, are more workmanlike but, as a team, they are greater than the sum of their parts. I don't see them causing Brazil too many problems, but they can finish second in Group E.
Prediction: 2-0
Lawro's full predictions
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Brazil and Switzerland's only previous meeting at a World Cup finals ended in a 2-2 draw on Brazilian soil in 1950.
Brazil have defeated Switzerland just three times in eight matches (D3 L2), scoring 10 goals and conceding eight.
Brazil
Brazil have won the World Cup more times than any other team, lifting the trophy in 25% of the tournaments played so far (five out of 20).
Brazil are unbeaten in their last 12 World Cup group games, winning 10, their last defeat in the group phase dating back to 1998 against Norway. In fact, Brazil have topped their group (first round) in every single World Cup since 1982 and last failed to progress past the first round in 1966.
Brazil have also won 16 of their last 18 opening games at the World Cup (drawn two). The last time they lost their first game in the tournament was in 1934 against Spain (1-3).
Neymar was involved in five of Brazil's 11 goals at the last World Cup (four goals, one assist). He was also involved in more goals than any other player in the Conmebol qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup (six goals, eight assists).
Switzerland
Switzerland are unbeaten in their opening game in each of their last four appearances, winning the last two (v Spain in 2010, Ecuador in 2014).
Switzerland have qualified for their 11th World Cup - it's their fourth in a row, which equals their longest run of appearances in the tournament (four from 1934 to 1954).
Switzerland have topped their group only once previously at the World Cup, it was in 2006. That was the year they became the only team not to concede a single goal at a World Cup (four games).
Xherdan Shaqiri has been directly involved in five of Switzerland's last six goals at major tournaments (four goals, one assist).
'Brazil '90% chance of progressing''
Football statisticians Gracenote Sports believe Brazil have a 90% chance of progressing from Group E.
Gracenote Sports head of analysis Simon Gleave:
"Our top-ranked team in the world at present is Brazil and therefore it is unsurprising that they are the most likely of the 32 teams to make it into the knockout stages. Having been drawn with opponents who are neither particularly strong or weak, the Brazilian team's chance of progress barely changed after the draw and has remained at around 90%."
