Coach looks to ease pressure on Neymar

Brazil head coach Tite has warned Neymar should not be expected to win the World Cup on his own as the squad prepare for the crucial Group E showdown with Serbia in Moscow.

The world’s most expensive player, who battled back from a fractured metatarsal to be fit for Russia, again took centre stage in the fallout from Brazil’s late 2-0 victory over Costa Rica.

Neymar saw his successful penalty appeal overturned after VAR review, before Philippe Coutinho finally broke the deadlock in stoppage time, with the Paris St Germain forward scoring another to wrap up a first win for Brazil at the 2018 finals.

Having been given another dose of rough treatment – just as in the opening game against Switzerland – Neymar came in for criticism back in Brazil after breaking down in tears following the full-time whistle.

Tite, though, insisted it cannot always be about Neymar and knows it will take a collective effort to secure the result needed to book a place in the last 16.

“There is an excessive responsibility (on Neymar) in terms of success and that is not the way to go, and the coach is not going to do that,” Tite said.

“Each one of us has our own responsibility. We should not place it all on his shoulders, the whole group will solve it.”

Brazil head into the match top of the group on four points, along with Switzerland, who play eliminated Costa Rica.

Serbia, with three points, have little margin for error if they are to progress to the last 16.

“This game is going to be decisive. Our continuity in this tournament depends fundamentally on this match,” said Tite, who is expected to name an unchanged starting XI, but will be without Douglas Costa because of a thigh problem.