World Cup: Brazil better prepared now than in 2014, Paulinho says

Brazil midfielder Paulinho believes his side are in
much better shape heading into this year ’s World
Cup in Russia than they were as the host nation four
years ago .
Now 29 , Paulinho was part of Luiz Felipe Scolari ’ s
side in 2014 as they were humiliated by Germany in
the semi -finals , losing 7 -1 .
He came off the bench in that match and is one of
only four players in Tite ’s squad this year in Russia
who appeared on that fateful night in Belo
Horizonte . Thiago Silva was in the squad but was
suspended , while Neymar was injured.
Brazil come into this year ’ s tournament , and their
opening game against Switzerland on Sunday , having
lost just once in 21 outings over the past two years .
“ We have greater confidence. From the way things
are going for the Brazil team at the moment , it is
clear that confidence is better, ” the Barcelona
midfielder told reporters on Wednesday at the team ’ s
training base in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi .
“ Brazil are better prepared in a number of ways .
That is just part of football — in four years you learn
a lot of things. ”
“ What we have done in these last four years is put
the past to one side ,” he added . “ Now we have
another opportunity and I want to do better. That is
life . Football is good because it gives you other
opportunities very quickly. ”
Since 2014 , the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder
has had a spell in China before moving to Barcelona
last year .
That move came as a surprise to many but he has
enjoyed a successful season in a Barcelona side that
won the domestic double and is now one of the older
heads in the Selecao.
However, he said coach Tite — under whom he
played at Sao Paulo giants Corinthians — was keen to
“ divide up” the responsibility between the younger
and the more experienced players .
“ A player who has never been to a World Cup can
bring their own experience , give something to me as I
come into my second World Cup,” said Paulinho
“ When I went to play at my first World Cup, one of
the people I sought out to speak to was Thiago Silva ,
who is my friend and someone I care about a lot . Or
Daniel Alves.
“ But regardless of whether we have played one , two
or three World Cups , there is something to transmit .
The great thing about the Brazilian squad is that
everyone adds something . ”
After facing the Swiss in Rostov - on - Don, Brazil also
take on Costa Rica and Serbia in Group E .