Mitch Freeley

Gilberto Silva knows exactly what it takes to win a World Cup, and the former Arsenal midfielder believes that the Seleção are well placed to win a sixth World Cup in Russia. Silva, 41 is currently with beIN SPORTS as a pundit during the World Cup.
 

Brazil open up their campaign taking on Switzerland later today Silva believes that boss Tite has found the right blend of players in the side.

“Tite has found a way to put the team together, he found a way to create this harmony with the players. He found a better way to adjust things that were not working before he arrived. They are working well in the transition from the attack in defence, it’s very fast now. You have to give credit to him for that.”

Much of Brazil’s World Cup build-up has surrounded the fitness of star man Neymar, who fractured his metatarsal back in February. Despite only playing a few friendlies, Silva is confident that the PSG playmaker will hit the ground running.

“He’s going to do well. He will be fresh, we are a little concerned that he hasn’t played some games in the last few months, but Neymar is so talented he knows to handle the situation.”

“In the last friendly game against Austria he did a great job and played 80 minutes, you could tell that Neymar is going to be fine for the World Cup.”

Silva played in the 2002 final victory over Germany, the last time Brazil lifted the World Cup. When asked about the current state of the side, he believed that the current crop of stars has plenty of similarities with the side of 2002.

“I feel similarities, Neymar was injured, Ronaldo was injured also. We missed some key players in 2002 such as Emerson and that’s also similar with Dani Alves also out as well.”

“You see the team, they are very relaxed but responsible and a very friendly group, like a big family we had this same team spirit in 2002.”

Brazil takes on Switzerland later this evening. You can watch all the action from the Rostov on Don arena via beIN SPORTS CONNECT.