The World Cup in Brazil has reached the straight final stage. On July 8th, Tuesday, the first semi-final of the planet's championship will take place, where the host Brazil and German football players will clash. Brazil - Germany "Estadio Mineirao", Belo Horizonte. July 28, 2014, 23:00 Lithuanian time. Referee: Marco Rodriguez (Mexico). There are only four matches left until the end of the championship, but they will determine who will become the world champions and which teams will divide the medals. Since the beginning of the championship, much was expected from the host teams. Last year, after triumphing in the Confederations Cup at home, the Brazilians raised even more expectations, which grew even more with the protests in the country. Led by Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Brazilian team has not convinced many skeptics with their game so far in this championship, but that did not stop them from reaching the semi-finals. The journey of the Brazilians towards the title of world champions started in Group A. In the championship opener, the hosts beat Croatia (3-1), later played goalless with the Mexicans, and in the last group match, defeated the Cameroonian team (4-1). In the quarterfinals, they faced off against the Colombian players led by James Rodriguez, who had scored 5 goals in the championship. Scolari's pupils managed to stop the "Monaco" club's midfielder, James Rodriguez, and goals from the center-backs Thiago Silva and David Luiz allowed the Brazilians to celebrate victory and reach the semi-finals. The German national team and their coach Joachim Low have also faced considerable criticism for the football displayed by the team and some tactical decisions. Their journey to the semi-finals began in Group G and in their first match they easily defeated Portugal (4-0), but in the second group match against the Ghanaian footballers played a draw (2-2). However, in the final group match, J.Lowo's pupils ended with a narrow victory against the US team (1-0) and advanced to the tournament quarterfinals. In the first knockout stage, the Germans defeated a strong Algerian team only after extra time (2-1), and in the quarterfinals, they overcame the French team led by Didier Deschamps. "Die Mannschaft" defeated "Les Bleus" lineup after a sole goal scored by Mats Hummels and moved on to the tournament semi-finals. So far, Germans have only faced opponents once - in the match against the Ghana team. It took only eight minutes. Later, Miroslav Klose equalized the result after coming on as a substitute. The German national team will be without the defender Shkodran Mustafi for the remaining part of the championship due to a thigh injury. It is still unclear whether Per Mertesacker, plagued by the flu that has affected seven Germans, will play. The losses for the Brazilians are much more painful. Team icon and leader Neymar will miss the remaining part of the championship due to a back injury. Thiago Silva, who received a second yellow card, is suspended. The Brazilian hero Neymar was flown from Rio de Janeiro to San Paulo, where he will begin his rehabilitation period. It should be noted that in the match against the Colombian footballers, Neymar suffered a cracked vertebra following a rough play by Camilo Zuniga. "My dream is to play in the World Cup final, but this time it will not come true. This dream is not shattered, it is postponed. I am sure that my teammates will do everything to become world champions. If God allows it to happen, I will be with my compatriots and we will celebrate victory together," Neymar said. Meanwhile, the German national team's midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger cautiously commented on Neymar's injury and said that his absence could give extra motivation to his Brazilian colleagues. "We are disappointed that he cannot play. The best football is played when the best footballers are on the field. I think his teammates will unite even more and seek to win the championship for Neymar. This will give them more strength," said the 29-year-old midfielder. It is still unclear who will replace Neymar, but it is predicted that the position on the left flank will be taken by the "Chelsea" defender Willian. It is speculated that Bernard could be chosen, or a switch to a 4-3-3 formation with Paulinho, Fernandinho, and Luiz Gustavo in the midfield. Low is likely to opt for a more conservative tactic once again, and in the forefront of the attack will be Thomas Muller, who has scored four goals in the tournament. However, it is speculated that Philipp Lahm will remain on the right side of the defense, and in the midfield, Sami Khedira will play, forming a safe trio with Toni Kroos and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Scolari has already won the title of world champions once with the Brazilian national team. It happened in 2002, when "Selecao" defeated the German national team in the final. Scolari also led the Brazilian national team to the strongest four in the World Cup in 2006. However, in that tournament, he was coaching the Portuguese team. This is also the third semi-final at the World Cup for Low. At the 2006 championship, the 53-year-old coach was an assistant to Jurgen Klinsmann. Then, "Die Mannschaft" was defeated by Italy at home, and in 2010, under J.Low's leadership, Germany lost in the semifinals to the future champions, Spain. The Germans have not played at the stadium in Belo Horizonte in this championship yet, while the Brazilians, who have not been defeated at home since the defeat to the Paraguayan team in 2002, are returning to this stadium after a victory in the quarterfinals against Chile. Predicted starting lineups: Brazil: Julio Cesar; Maicon, David Luiz, Dante, Marcelo; Luiz Gustavo, Fernandinho, Hulk, Oscar, Willian; Fred. Germany: Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Hummels, Howedes; Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Ozil, Muller, Gotze.
Rokas Rudzenskas
