Brazil stars Philippe Coutinho, Gabriel Jesus and Marcelo play a game of head tennis as they step up preparations for World Cup opener against Switzerland
- The Brazil squad enjoyed some head tennis out of training on Thursday
- The Selecao were fine-tuning their preparations in the heat of Sochi
- Tite’s side open their World Cup campaign against Switzerland on Sunday
Brazil players opted for the unconventional methods of a game of head tennis in preparation for their World Cup opener against Switzerland on Sunday.
Philippe Coutinho, Marcelo and Gabriel Jesus took a break from their training session to take each other on.
The trio were pictured using both their feet and heads to get the better of the other on a purple table set aside at their training base in Sochi.
Philippe Coutinho heads the ball towards team-mate Marcelo during a game of head tennis
The Barcelona man controls the ball as he looks to pass to team-mate Gabriel Jesus
The Brazil players enjoyed a game of head tennis in their preparations for World Cup opener
Coach Tite was seen marshalling his troops during Thursday’s training session as they fine-tuned preparations for their opening game in Group E.
The Selecao kick-off their 2018 World Cup hopes in Rostov on Sunday as they look to avenge their humiliation at the hands of Germany four years ago.
Tite has forged a strong nucleus since taking over from Dunga two years ago, racing away with South American qualifying and becoming the favourites for the tournament.
After facing the Swiss Brazil play Costa Rica and Serbia in Group E.
Real Madrid defender Marcelo springs off his heels to head the ball over the net
Marcelo prods with his left boot as he looks to get the ball over the net to Gabriel Jesus
PSG star Neymar leans on club and international team-mate Thiago Silva as Marcelo watches
Coach Tite observes his side in training as they prepare to open against Switzerland on Sunday
Midfielder Paulinho insisted on Wednesday that the Samba stars were on the right track ahead of their opening game.
‘The pressure on Brazil will always be there,’ said the Barcelona man.
‘It was there for the last World Cup. We were under pressure. But what we did in the last four years was to leave the past behind us. We lost and this is another chance. We have an opportunity to be better.
‘We know how difficult it’s going to be. Opponents are watching us because we are playing consistent football. Most important, we are playing a happy kind of football. We have to play like that. Happy. We do what we love.
‘We are on the right track and we are focused on a having a wonderful World Cup.’
Neymar sees the funny side of things in training with Brazil in high spirits out in Russia
Liverpool Roberto Firmino chests the ball in training as he looks to maintain his sharpness
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