With Neymar and Thiago Silva out of their semi-final clash against Germany, team Brazil gears up for the challenge taking inspiration from previous instances and the words of their poster boy Neymar who urged his teammates to do everything possible to attain the glory.
“It is a difficult moment for me and it is hard to know what to say. My dream is not over. It was interrupted,” an emotional Neymar said in a video released by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) as he left the team camp. “Life moves on. I am sure my team-mates will do everything possible so that we can achieve our dream of being champions,” he said.
When Luiz Felipe Scolari was last in charge of Brazil, he encountered a similar situation. Ronaldinho, who was as important as Neymar is currently, was sent-off in the quarter-final against England in 2002 and Scolari had to plan a game without the formidable mid-fielder before eventually Brazil beat Germany in the final to lift the trophy for the fifth time.
Marvio Angels, the popular columnist and musician wrote, “But without Neymar, none of these critical matters. Now a Brazil that could improve the technical and tactical part, the point of finally getting an exquisite performance for 90 minutes is a desire to be silent before the loss of the main reserve of creativity.
“The Team now needs a Luiz Felipe Scolari in his finest hour: a machine triumphs, definitely not obliged to give performances, the only concept that can replace what Neymar represented. Do not go here any demerit to Neymar. Prince Santos gave everything. Four goals, decisive penalty against Chile, dribbling, the ball spent a fearless way, imposed respect to all defenses it faced.
“Suffered 18 fouls - some off, as the ultimate, which were not marked. Not exempted creative responsibilities at some point. Camilo Zúñiga took the Cup, but his dream of being a champion in the country does not fade with the fracture of the vertebra. Neymar is now one of us, fans like us, and became the biggest motivation for his fellow squad,” wrote Angels.
The Brazil skipper Thiago Silva, who will miss the vital match for two yellow cards, has already pinned hope on Dante and said, “At the same time I get sad, I rejoice because Dante is fully fit for the match.
“He has the advantage of knowing all the opposition players, being against the country where plays the club football.” said a smiling Silva referring to the fact that Dante is a defender who plays for Bayern Munich in Germany.
“He’s a guy that is mingled with the group and working a lot, even being in reserve. The moment has arrived,” insisted Silva.
Meanwhile, Neymar’s injury means Scolari will have to make a big decision on who will be replacing his talisman forward. Willian, who plays for Chelsea in the English Premier League, is the front runner for the place as former Brazil footballers are also backing him.
“My money would be on Willian,” said Carlos Alberto, captain of Brazil’s 1970 World Cup winning squad. “He has the talent and he tracks back to defend. I can’t see anyone who could replace Neymar better,” he said.