TERESOPOLIS, Brazil

The Brazilian national football team is preparing to face Uruguay today, recognizing the weight of Neymar, preaching calm ahead of the World Cup qualifiers and aware of the importance of earning three vital points at home.

"Neymar is a different player and it is obviously very good to be able to count on him by our side, as he decides. But the strength of our team is in the collective, and Neymar always has a lot to contribute," said midfielder Willian of Chelsea.

Daniel Alves, Neymar's teammate at Barcelona, also acknowledged the importance of the forward and captain of the "Canarinha" for the group, but warned that "everyone must be in good shape" so that "the responsibility does not fall on a single player."

Calmness was another factor mentioned as indispensable by the Brazilians, in the press conference they gave at the Granja Comary training center, in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro, reported DPA.

"We cannot lose our calm against Uruguay. If we lose our composure, they can beat us. We have to always play in search of goals, but with balance," pondered forward Jonas of Benfica, who will replace the injured veteran Kaká.

In the same line, goalkeeper Alisson of Internacional de Porto Alegre expressed himself.

"Uruguay is an experienced team and that is why we have to show composure on the field. Under no circumstances can we make mistakes," he warned.

Among the biggest concerns of Brazil, who sees the match against Uruguay as "complicated," is the return of Uruguayan forward Luis Suárez, who, along with Neymar and Argentine Lionel Messi, forms the unstoppable "trident" of Barcelona. The "charrúa" star had been suspended since 2014 for biting Italian Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup in Brazil.

Brazil is also aware of the need to earn the three points that a victory will bring at home.

In the qualifying campaign for Russia 2018, Brazil and Uruguay are currently in third and second place, respectively, with seven and nine points.