Yet, under the flamboyant leadership of Luiz Felipe Scolari, they went on to win a fifth world title when it was least expected while pre-tournament favourites Argentina fell at the first hurdle.

Tostao, who played in the 1970 World Cup team and is now a respected newspaper columnist, is among those wishing for something to fret about.

"The Brazilian team continues to be almost perfect," he wrote. "Even Ronaldo seems to be thinner. But without doubts, problems and controversies, the Hexa (sixth world title) is more difficult."

Parreira, however, sees it as a new challenge to be faced.

"You often hear that World Cup is won a team which has been discredited at the start," he said.

"But as far as I'm concerned, taboos are made to be broken."

"It's not an accident that things are going well. This is a result of work and planning by the players and by the technical staff."

He said: "We want to prove that its possible to win after starting as favourites and when everything is going to well."