We've got one hand on the cup, says Scolari's right-hand man
Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's right-hand man said Brazil were good enough to win the World Cup and already had "one hand on the trophy".
Asked what he had learned in previous World Cups, from his backroom role in Brazil's 1970 triumph to his success at the 1994 finals, Carlos Alberto Parreira said getting things right off the field was crucial.
"That's not easy. It entails the operational side of things, logistics, planning, the relationship with the fans, the media, the working atmosphere," said the 71-year-old team technical coordinator.
We are favourites - but of course that is not enough to win. Look how many favorites fell by the wayside in the past
"We have already achieved that, therefore we already have one hand on the trophy. We are favourites - but of course that is not enough to win. Look how many favorites fell by the wayside in the past.
"We have a great team, the team is very good. We are confident in these players - just look at the team we have," said Parreira, who led the Selecao to glory in 1994 before Scolari added Brazil's fifth World Cup crown in 2002.
Parreira said the traditionally attack-minded Brazilians have a rock-solid central defensive partnership in David Luiz and Thiago Silva, who will play together next season at Paris Saint-Germain.
And he praised the strength of the squad as a whole.
"We have experienced, quality players renowned on the international stage and we are playing at home," added Parreira, who has recent experience of shouldering the pressure of playing on home soil after leading South Africa in 2010.