What: 2014 FIFA World Cup Semi-final
Who: Brazil vs Germany
When: Tuesday 8th July, 2014, at 21:00 UK Time
Where: Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Two More
It has been a gruelling World Cup for tournament hosts and favourites Brazil. The Selecao are two games away from being crowned world champions for a sixth time in their history. Standing in their way however are Germany, as both teams replay their encounter of 2002 in the FIFA World Cup final in Japan. Deprived of stars Neymar and Thiago Silva, a victory over the Mannschaft would be an even greater deed than that of 2002.
The entire talk worldwide has been about Neymar’s tournament ending injury, as Colombia man Juan Zuniga’s knee against the back of the Barcelona man means that he will now miss the rest of the event as a result of a damaged vertebra. Deprived of their star man for this crucial part of the tournament, many would write off Brazil. However, that does not mean that they will be less dangerous, according to two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo.
“We are fearful and sad about our loss but if the German team believe they are going to come up against a weak, demoralised team because of the loss of Neymar, the Germans will be making an enormous mistake. Brazil are never made up of just one player”, commented the legendary striker.
The absence of Neymar has raised suggestions that Luiz Felipe Scolari might opt to change the way his team play and adopt a more pragmatic, European approach when facing the three-time competition winners. With Neymar missing, it will be a chance for the likes of Willian and Hulk to shine.
German Method
Cold and calculated. That has been the way the Germans have been playing this tournament. None of their games – besides the 4-0 drubbing of Portugal – has been particularly eye-catching. Yet unsurprisingly, they find themselves in the semi-finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a testament to the team’s improvement under Joachim Low. With their opponents having suffered a vicious blow, now is the time for Low and his side to get their revenge for losing the final twelve years ago.
Germany’s change in style has changed according to Lothar Matthaus, who lifted the trophy with the Nationalmannschaft in 1990.
“Germany aren't playing the same attractive football they did at the previous two World Cup finals. But Joachim Low has learned a thing or two. You don't win titles playing pretty football. And the target for this German team is to win the World Cup in Brazil. All the games up to now have been pretty tight and of course the players are also thinking: 'Do we want to play attractive football and go home early or do we want to lift the trophy after seven games?' The answer is clear. Bring the title home and value success above just playing pretty football”, explained the former sweeper.
Recent form
Brazil:
Cameroon 1-4 Brazil (23/06; World Cup)
Brazil 1-1 Chile; 3-2 on penalties (28/06; World Cup)
Brazil 3-2 Colombia (04/07; World Cup)
Germany:
United States 0-1 Germany (26/06; World Cup)
Germany 2-1 Algeria (30/06; World Cup)
France 0-1 Germany (04/07; World Cup)
Players to watch
Brazil – David Luiz: After Neymar, the centre-back has been his side’s most impressive man so far with two goals to his name. With captain Silva missing this one through suspension, Luiz will have extra responsibility on his shoulders as he attempts to steer Brazil into the final and withstand the Germany onslaught.
Germany – Thomas Muller: The tournament’s golden boot is a personal target of Muller after having won the accolade four years ago, aged only 20 back then. With Neymar out, he will have the chance to increase his tally of four when he takes on an old German adversary in the form of Brazil.
Match Prediction
Neymar’s injury could not have come at a worse time for the host nation. The forward aside, there have not been many standout Brazilian players in this tournament, and it is clear that Scolari has suffered a major blow now that he won’t continue. The Germans appear to be motivated and confident of progression, and with the Brazilian side destabilised after the recent turn of events, they have the chance to knock the hosts out and progress to the final. Brazil 1-2 Germany.
