Brazil are preparing for the Rio Games men's tournament like never before and the pressure is on the five-time world champions, particularly coming just two years after the senior side lost 7-1 at home to Germany in the World Cup semifinals.
Led by Barcelona striker Neymar, Brazil have the most expensive squad in the tournament and goalkeeper Fernando Prass said coping with the mounting pressure will be key to their performance.
"We have that frustration from the World Cup but we also have five world titles," the Palmeiras keeper said. "The yellow shirt carries a weight but it also puts pressure on the opposition. We have to accentuate the positive."
Although the home fans will be behind them this time, neither form nor history are on the under-23 team's side.
Brazil could only finish fourth in last year's South American qualifying tournament from which Argentina and Colombia went through but their place as hosts was safe.
And while they beat South Africa 3-1 in March, they lost 1-0 to Nigeria at home a few days earlier.
Moreover, the host team have won the Olympic gold medal only three times in 23 attempts dating back to 1908.
Brazil's biggest rivals could come from the country that beat them to gold in the 2012 London Games final.
