Brazil defender David Luiz says he is having sleepless nights worrying about the World Cup, while his team mate Dani Alves describes the intense pressure of being tournament hosts as “delicious”.
“We are anxious, I wish it was starting tomorrow,” Luiz said at a commercial event in Sao Paulo on Tuesday.
“Some nights we don’t sleep. But that’s all part and parcel. It is a great chance and we are privileged to play a World Cup in front of our own fans. I can’t wait for it to start.”
The articulate Chelsea defender said the atmosphere in the Brazil squad was the best he has experienced in more than a decade as a professional player.
He added that their unity of purpose would help them to cope with the pressure of playing a home World Cup.
“We have to find a balance,” the 27-year-old Luiz told reporters. “Up to a certain point (anxiety) is good, it gets you thinking about the game. But too much is harmful so we’ll have to work on that and that is easier to do as a group.
“This group is very open, everyone has the right to give their opinion, and everyone is going to help each other.”
He added: “We really want this, our group is true in all we do, there is a great atmosphere.
“We are happy, anxious and we have two more games in which we’ll make last-minute adjustments and be ready to start with maximum force.”
Brazil kick off the World Cup against Croatia on June 12 in Sao Paulo and then face Mexico and Cameroon in their other Group A games.
They play two warm-up matches against Panama in Goiania on June 3 and then Serbia in Sao Paulo on June 6.
The host nation are favourites to lift a record-extending sixth World Cup, but they will come under pressure from their often fickle fans.
Barcelona’s Alves said that although Brazil’s 23-man squad might not have much World Cup experience they have all played at the highest levels and will not be fazed.
“It’s a delicious pressure, it’s pressure we like to feel,” he told reporters.
