A Win For Brazil Without Neymar Will Rock Belo Horizonte

(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

"Nosotros poder ser campeones. Brazil son pentacampeones," said some Brazilians after Neymar was ruled out of the World Cup. "We can be champions, Brazil are the five time champions." When Brazil play, there is no pressure. Football is not a game for these players, it's a way of life. Some take lying on a couch with a tub of ice-cream as a way of life but for the little ones in Brazil, getting a ball and having a 5 v 5 in the back alley is a way of life. As the fan rightfully pointed out, 5-time winners.

A 'kickabout' in Manaus. A way of life.
(Pic Courtesy of the New York Times)

Yes, they have Neymar out. And yes, their captain is suspended. And true, this is one deadly German outfit. But we are far away from Munich. This is Belo Horizonte we are in. As Vin Diesel put it perfectly, 'This is Brazil.' With 200 million supporters tonight, it will be a sea of yellow, and the Germans have to be wary or they might sink.

David Luiz is a gentle giant.
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

And in their stand-in captain, they have a superb defender and a graceful attacker, in one lethal package. A member of Brazil's delegation remarked, "“Look at him, our very own Mother Teresa of Calcutta. If he decided to run for the senate tomorrow, he’d get elected.” Hulk has labeled him 'one of the greatest persons I've ever known.' And what a performance he put on against Colombia. You could see it in his eyes, how much he wanted it.

Hulk vying for the ball with James Rodriguez.
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

And Brazil have to want it tonight. They must take what they want, as the Germans will not be too kind otherwise. Willian will be key tonight, but the feeling is that both Oscar and Hulk have got to put in the performance of their lives in this match to counteract the loss of Neymar.

Who will fill his boots?
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If Dante comes in for Thiago Silva, it would not be too much of a problem, as he knows full well how the Germans play, having been rock solid for Bayern Munich this season. They will have to do without the ball for large periods of tonight's game, but if they can spring on the break like lightning, Germany could be caught out. Hummels and Boateng are very good defenders, but lack pace. That can be exploited by Hulk, Willian and Oscar.

If Paulinho and Fernandinho keep the midfield tight, and explode with their energy, they could go right down the spine of Germany and test their mettle. Marcelo and Dani Alves/Maicon have got to be disciplined and pick their moments to go forward.

These three will be key to how Germany play.
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

Germany will be content to be with the ball, try and drag Brazil out as Joachim Loew is masterful at what he does; setting his team out to do a job as seen in the game against France. He's already begun mind games by saying that it'll be tougher against Brazil without Neymar and Thiago Silva. With that logic, what if Germany did not have Thomas Mueller and Manuel Neuer?

Could Manuel Neuer be beaten today?
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

This lot of Germans could be the most talented 'Die Manschaaft' in history, but as said before, there isn't much 'German-ness' about this team. They have yet to be tested. Teams have been afraid of them even before crossing that white line. Manuel Neuer has been brilliant though, between the sticks.

Man of the tournament in 2002, the Luis Ronaldo.
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

I have never sided with Brazil ever in my life, rooting for Germany to win the final in Yokohama, in 2002. Many always go with the bigger teams, the developed nation. But there is more to football than that. Going with the underdog somehow brings an element of excitement into the game, which one will find hard to put into words.

Germany are favourites. But as Vin Diesel said, 'This is Brazil.' Pentacampeones.

My take: Brazil 1-0 Germany