Scolari: "Spain has played one less game to reach the final"

The Brazil squad is counting down the hours until it takes on Spain at the Maracana, in the Confederations Cup final everyone wanted to see. Though quick to praise 'La Roja', Thiago Silva has talked up his side's chances: "Spain is a team with a lot of individual talent, great players and a coach who is doing a fantastic job, but I'm convinced we can beat them".

Perhaps more controversial were the comments made by Luiz Felipe Scolari, who suggested that Spain should be fresher than Brazil, having enjoyed a cakewalk against Tahiti: "Spain has had a stable spine in place for some time now and comes into the final having played one game less, because it rested almost the whole first team against Tahiti. Though we are wary of their ability, I believe we are in a position to win in the final".

Scolari could be accused of double standards, after equating the Tahiti clash – if we can call it that – to a training session, while refusing to acknowledge that having an extra day's rest virtually throughout the competition might hand the hosts the edge. Just like against Mexico and Uruguay, the 'Seleção' will have enjoyed one more day off than 'La Roja' in the run-up to the final.

Finally, the crowd could have a key role to play in the showpiece and Scolari has called on the Maracana to spur his charges on to victory: "There are going to be over 70,000 Brazilians there screaming and cheering us on to capture the trophy. I'm sure the fans in Rio de Janeiro won't let us down".