Bragging rights for Blues pair

BRAZIL star Willian (above) says he is looking forward to coming out on top when he faces club colleague Eden Hazard in the World Cup quarter-final against Belgium.

The teams meet in Kazan tomorrow morning (4am) with Brazil the favourite, despite the quality in a Belgian side captained by Hazard, who plays with Willian at Chelsea.

“He is a very humble player and I like being with him on a daily basis at club level. But now it is time for each of us to defend our corner and I hope to come out on top,” he said at Brazil’s training base in Sochi.

“He is one of the best players in the world, but now I am on a different side and I want to do everything to win. I know we will remain friends after.”

Willian is expected to keep his place in coach Tite’s starting line-up for the game after producing his best performance at the World Cup in the 2-0 victory over Mexico.

It was a performance that suggested the five-time winner was comfortable with its tag as favourite, having recorded three wins since an opening 1-1 draw against Switzerland.

“The team has evolved since the first game,” Willian said. “There was nervousness in that first match, a more complicated start, and we have grown. I think we are at the same level as in the qualifiers.”

He said Neymar was getting better by the game, but the same could be said of Willian, who is one of the few survivors from the 2014 squad.

“I am more mature and have more experience than at the last World Cup, and the team is more consistent,” he said.

With Marcelo and Douglas Costa having shaken off injuries, it is the first time in this World Cup Tite has had his squad fit.

However, Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro will miss due to suspension.