SOCHI: Brazil may be hot favourites to beat Mexico and advance to the World Cup quarter-finals but midfielder Casemiro pointed to the already departed Germans as proof that, in football, favouritism counts for nothing.

Brazil face Mexico in Samara on Monday but the Real Madrid midfielder said the five-time champions are taking nothing for granted, especially after seeing Germany, holders and joint favourites before the tournament began, finish bottom of their group.

“This favouritism comes from you,” he told reporters at Brazil’s training centre. “The shirt doesn’t win you the game. Look at Germany. With all the players they have, all that favouritism, they were still knocked out in the first round.

“We are relaxed about it. All our players are top class, their clubs are always favourites. So we are already accustomed to the pressure, this favouritism you all talk about. We always have respect, tranquility and humility. We have to play football to beat Mexico.”

One of the reasons Brazil are favourites is Mexico’s poor record against South American teams in the World Cup finals.

Whichever Mexico turns up, they will have to get past a man who is now rated one of the best defensive midfielders in the world.

After making five substitute appearances for Brazil in 2011 and 2012, Casemiro was dropped for a while but he has since become an integral part of Tite’s side, starting all bar one of Brazil’s past 13 matches.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2018