A mouth watering semi final clash is set to sizzle at the Estádio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte as hosts Brazil take on a spirited German outfit who can do wrong at the current moment. Luis Felipe Scholari’s side appear weakened with torch bearer Neymar out with a broken vertebra and with captain Thiago Silva suspended for the clash, it nicely sets up in the hands of Joachim Loew. While the Selecao overcame continental rivals Colombia in the quarter finals, the Germans edged out France in a close encounter.
A weakened Brazil side might not pose the greatest of threats to the Die Mannschaft but the European powerhouses can ill afford to take David Luiz and co lightly. Can the Selecao overcome the odds to reach the finals and go one place further in their quest for the sixth title?
Today we here at Soccersouls in our special feature to the buildup of the massive semi final clash, provide our readers with the strongest possible Brazil lineup against the ruthless Germans who look to claim the title at the Maracana on the 13th.
Goalkeeping:
Julio Cesar will have a match on his hands against the Germans who, despite lacking a proper number nine. While Thomas Muller has taken the work load for the most of the tournament, Mario Gotze too has shown courage to take up the mettle whenever required. Cesar has to be immaculate with his wobbly distribution so far and needs to be cautious coming out of his line to claim crosses from either flanks. Should Cesar have a great game, Scholari can expect another result in favour of the hosts in front of what be a vociferous Belo Horizonte.
Defense:
Roma full back Maicon was chosen ahead of Dani Alves in the quarter final being given the German team’s wing play and threat from the flanks, the Barcelona man looks set to be back in the starting eleven. Marcelo though will man the left flank needing to take care of his defensive discipline being barging forward to join in attack. Thiago Silva’s loss will be gigantic for the Selecao and Scholari will have to make a choice between Napoli’s Henrique or Bayern’s Dante to play in the centre back. Dante looks to be the most probable option while David Luiz whose sumptuous free kick won the game against Colombia starts alongside him in the heart of the defense.
Midfield:
Luis Gustavo returns for Brazil and the Wolfsburg man should partner Manchester City’s Fernandinho, the latter who was lucky to be let off by the referee despite fouling James Rodriguez on numerous occasions during the quarter final. With Neymar sidelined, Bernard or Chelsea’s Willian should start on the right with Oscar and Hulk completing the attacking triumvirate. Oscar will look to feature in a more central role while Hulk should be able to switch flanks with Willian or Bernard whenever required.
Strikeforce:
Fred’s contribution is at best non worthwhile mentionable and the home side will further miss the absence of Neymar up front. While Scholari has the option of playing Jo in the final third, it is queer to see that the Brazil coach sticking to the striker who has so far drawn a blank in the showpiece event. A 4-2-3-1 setup is what Scholari will look to play with abandoning the more attacking 4-3-3 system needing to be cautious when off possession as the Germans have shown they are ruthless in counter attacks.
