Brazil's battle to become 2014 World Cup champions just got a little steeper. The team has remained the favorites in the tournament despite not overly impressing in their games to this point. However, the loss of two key players has altered that mindset just a tad. Facing heavy-weight Germany is certainly not going to be an easy semifinals match as Brazil puts their excellent home record on the line once again.
If Brazil is going to win the World Cup, it will be without star Neymar who is assumed to miss the remainder of the tournament after fracturing a vertebra in the game against Columbia. He was taken off the field and is not expected to return from the injury. Neymar had four goals and one assist in the tournament, stats that will certainly be missed. They will also be competing without Thiago Silva who is being forced to miss the Germany match after accumulating several yellow cards in play. The Brazilians are slightly nervous despite beating Germany back in 2002 and rightfully so with the team's two biggest stars out for the match.
Germany has not overly impressed so far in the World Cup with their attack looking lost at times. Thomas Muller continues to roll along as the team leader with four goals in five matches so far. However, he has been the only consistent player on the team. However, without Silva in the backfield, Germany might find scoring a bit easier. Germany's back four is nothing to brag about as well. The four center-back experiment has not be that successful as Germany has fallen victim to high balls an counterattacks. They cannot have that issue in this matchup as Brazil is capable of exposing the weaknesses of the unit.
Brazil and Germany are the heavy-weights of the World Cup. The two titans of the sport almost never play one another so this semifinals match is a treat to fans all around. Brazil is favored simply because they are the home town and they have not lost at home in decades. However, the injuries on the roster say otherwise and Germany is ready to expose them.
