‘Weakened’ Brazil has every excuse to lose

THE LAST TIME Brazil faced Germany in a Fifa World Cup match was the final of Korea-Japan 2002 edition. Germany had approached the tournament with quarter finals as a yardstick for success but surprised even themselves when they kept winning. In the semis, though, star midfielder Michael Ballack picked up a ridiculous booking for the most needless tackle at the centre-half. It was a costly booking. Ballack was suspended for the final. Against the glittering Brazilian side of Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, Germany had no chance without their inspirational midfielder. Phil Scolari’s side picked up a record fifth World Cup trophy. Twelve years later and both sides meet to fight for a first World Cup final since that 2002. Germany has been in semis in each of the subsequent edition, while Brazil is in their first semis since then. However, the tables are so turned that where Brazil have Hulk, Fred, Fernandinho and Oscar to offer, Germany have Lahm, Kroos, Schweinsteigger, Muller, Gotze, Ozil and Klose. Worse still, Brazil’s hope is out with a broken vertebra. As Neymar hopes to just be allowed to attend the game from the stadium, skipper Thiago Silva has left his side in a bigger spot of bother after his booking against Colombia for impending a goalkeeper’s clearance meant he would sit out the semis. Brazil have appealed and the booking. It would take a precedent for Fifa to overturn it given only red cards are ever rescinded. In their appeal, Brazil seem to have forgotten that Germany were without Ballack in 2002. That is the karma as the tables have turned. On the pitch, this game has the hallmark of Germany 2006 World Cup were the hosts struggled for home and were happy to make semis. Losing to Italy at Allianz Arena did not hurt Germany then. Now it is the struggling Brazil going to lose to Germany. Brazil 1-3 Germany

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‘Weakened’ Brazil has every excuse to lose