Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has revealed that he hopes Atletico Madrid knock former club Chelsea out of this season's Champions League.
The Blues battled their way to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their semi-final tie with the Rojiblancos at the Vicente Calderon on Tuesday night, thus putting Jose Mourinho's men in a good position to progress in next week's return at Stamford Bridge.
However, Scolari has freely admitted that he hopes Chelsea bow out for purely selfish reasons, as he would not like to see the English outfit's Brazil contingent - David Luiz, Oscar, Willian and Ramires - feature in the Champions League final, on May 24, just over two weeks before the start of the World Cup.
"To us, it would be better if Atletico eliminated Chelsea, because then I'd have four well-rested players," the Selecao coach told reporters on Thursday.
Indeed, Scolari confirmed that Chelsea defender Luiz will be one of the first names on his team sheet for this summer's World Cup.
"My chosen leaders are David Luiz, Julio César and Fred," he explained.
"I had already chosen them and I've been talking to them a little more during some trips.
"I have no doubts about my final list, but I will wait until the end of the leagues.
"I could have some last-minute problems, like [Napoli's] Henrique, who was in an accident.
"Not even [Carlos Alberto] Parreira, [Flavio] Murtosa or the chairman [Jose Maria Marin, CBF president] know about the final list.
"But we shouldn't have many surprises. You [the journalists] would probably guess 22 out of the 23."
Scolari also insisted that he has no doubts over the form of Neymar, who has been plagued by injuries, fluctuating form and off-the-field problems in his first season at Barcelona.
"Neymar will be very well received on the national team," the World Cup winner stated.
"My analysis of Neymar is very different from that of some Spanish critics.
"The moment his club is going through right now is not good but Brazil's style of play is very dfferent."
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