When Brazil line-up against Belgium in the World Cup quarter-final on Friday, Willian will be reacquainted with a couple of old friends in the opposition starting XI. Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Thibault Courtois will become enemies for the day.
Willian is well aware of the strengths of both, saying of Hazard, “Hazard is a sensational player and a very good person as well. I really enjoy having this relationship with him in Chelsea. In five years of Chelsesa, it will be the first time I will play against him.
“But now there is no way, he will want to defend Belgium and I will Brazil. I hope I get the better of him. I was very happy with my performance (against Mexico), but even more with the win. Trust will grow. I hope to repeat and even play better in the next game.”
The Blues winger also knows he will have his work cut out trying to beat Red Devils ‘keeper Courtois, “I find it difficult to play against Courtois, it is difficult to find a weakness in him. He is very good and tall.
“But right now we have to do something special to overcome him. We know his quality, but we have to do everything possible to beat him. We have high quality goalkeepers like him. It is my thinking, to keep that level, of the whole team, to maintain that concentration.”
