Brazil wary of 'group of death'

Former Arsenal star Gilberto Silva hopes he can help Brazil escape the "toughest group" to claim a sixth World Cup crown


Gilberto is more than aware of the fact that Brazil cannot afford to ease themselves into the competition in a group which includes Portugal and the Cote d'Ivoire, as well as outsiders Korea DPR.

Gilberto said: "Some say it is the toughest (group) of them all, for me it is the group of death, but we cannot choose our opponents in the competition.

"The most important thing is all the team are very well prepared, especially physically."

One thing the Panathinaikos man knows the 2010 Selecao must cope with is the pressure of expectation.

As in 2006, Brazil are many people's favourites heading to South Africa and Gilberto admitted that tag weighed heavily on the team in Germany four years ago.

"When you go to the World Cup as the favourites, it is very hard because the pressure is massive," added Gilberto.

"Normally after the first game, the pressure eases off but this didn't happen with us in 2006.

"When Dunga took over there were no big changes, just what is normal with a new coach, rebuilding the squad and making preparations for the next competition. We did of course learn from our mistakes and don't want it to happen again."

source:wc2010