<p class="title">Star forward Neymar's injury absence changes nothing for Brazil at the Copa America, midfielder Casemiro said on Thursday, insisting that the hosts must triumph come what may.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Neymar will miss the South American showpiece after injuring ankle ligaments last week in the Selecao's penultimate warm-up friendly.</p>.<p class="bodytext">His injury came as the Paris Saint-Germain forward faced accusations from a Brazilian model that he sexually assaulted her in a hotel in the French capital.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Regardless of the competition we're in, Brazil are favorites and must win," Casemiro said ahead of Friday's tournament opener against Bolivia in Sao Paulo.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Without a doubt, even without Neymar -- Brazil's main star -- we're still very strong," the Real Madrid player added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Brazil are aiming for a ninth Copa America success and have claimed victory on all four previous occasions as hosts: in 1919, 1922, 1949 and 1989.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But they haven't lifted the trophy since 2007 when winning for a fourth time in five editions from 1997.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We cannot hide from that responsibility," said coach Tite. "We know that we have to build step by step for the title."</p>.<p class="bodytext">And while he admitted that it was a blow to be missing "one of the best three in the world," he said that the squad is not thinking about Neymar's absence.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"When it comes to us, we talk more about Neymar here (in press conferences) that there in (training.) We talk about preparation as a whole," Tite told reporters at the Morumbi stadium where Brazil will play minnows Bolivia.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We know it's going to be a tough match, we know how Bolivia play," said Casemiro of Brazil's first Group A opponents.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"They're very well organized, particularly defensively." Brazil warmed up for the tournament with victories last week over Qatar (2-0), who will make their Copa America debut as invitees on Sunday, and Honduras (7-0).</p>.<p class="bodytext">"The team is very strong. You can see with those seven goals, the whole team was celebrating together," said Tite.</p>.<p class="bodytext">His squad are hoping to erase the painful memories of their crushing disappointment five years ago when hosting the World Cup.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A 7-1 semifinal humbling at the hands of Germany put paid to their hopes of landing a first global crown since 2002.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We'r ready, we showed it in these two (friendly) games, which in my opinion were the best we've played since the World Cup" in Russia last year, added Casemiro.</p>.<p class="bodytext">There Brazil lost 2-1 to Belgium in the quarterfinals.</p>
<p class="title">Star forward Neymar's injury absence changes nothing for Brazil at the Copa America, midfielder Casemiro said on Thursday, insisting that the hosts must triumph come what may.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Neymar will miss the South American showpiece after injuring ankle ligaments last week in the Selecao's penultimate warm-up friendly.</p>.<p class="bodytext">His injury came as the Paris Saint-Germain forward faced accusations from a Brazilian model that he sexually assaulted her in a hotel in the French capital.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Regardless of the competition we're in, Brazil are favorites and must win," Casemiro said ahead of Friday's tournament opener against Bolivia in Sao Paulo.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Without a doubt, even without Neymar -- Brazil's main star -- we're still very strong," the Real Madrid player added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Brazil are aiming for a ninth Copa America success and have claimed victory on all four previous occasions as hosts: in 1919, 1922, 1949 and 1989.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But they haven't lifted the trophy since 2007 when winning for a fourth time in five editions from 1997.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We cannot hide from that responsibility," said coach Tite. "We know that we have to build step by step for the title."</p>.<p class="bodytext">And while he admitted that it was a blow to be missing "one of the best three in the world," he said that the squad is not thinking about Neymar's absence.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"When it comes to us, we talk more about Neymar here (in press conferences) that there in (training.) We talk about preparation as a whole," Tite told reporters at the Morumbi stadium where Brazil will play minnows Bolivia.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We know it's going to be a tough match, we know how Bolivia play," said Casemiro of Brazil's first Group A opponents.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"They're very well organized, particularly defensively." Brazil warmed up for the tournament with victories last week over Qatar (2-0), who will make their Copa America debut as invitees on Sunday, and Honduras (7-0).</p>.<p class="bodytext">"The team is very strong. You can see with those seven goals, the whole team was celebrating together," said Tite.</p>.<p class="bodytext">His squad are hoping to erase the painful memories of their crushing disappointment five years ago when hosting the World Cup.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A 7-1 semifinal humbling at the hands of Germany put paid to their hopes of landing a first global crown since 2002.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"We'r ready, we showed it in these two (friendly) games, which in my opinion were the best we've played since the World Cup" in Russia last year, added Casemiro.</p>.<p class="bodytext">There Brazil lost 2-1 to Belgium in the quarterfinals.</p>