When Brazil and Germany meet at the Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday night it will be only the second time they have faced each other at a World Cup finals and both will have significant motivation to reach World football’s showpiece event at the Maracana on July 13.
Since suffering defeat to the Selecao in the 2002 final the Nationalmannschaft have become the nearly men of international football and after two consecutive exits at this stage will be keen to end a run that has seen them fail to lift an international trophy since 1996.
However, with hosts Brazil keen to ride the wave of national expectation they will be confident of dealing the Germans another World Cup blow in the aim of extending the record haul of five titles.
Here I take a look at the key battles that will decide the match.
Miroslav Klose vs David Luiz
If this Brazilian side can cope with the loss of their talismanic skipper and defensive lynchpin Thiago Silva it will provide a solid base from which to attack a Germany side that have shown the doggedness they are renowned for to progress despite the notable challenges of Algeria and France.
Despite coach Joachim Low’s apparent uncertainty over whether veteran striker Miroslav Klose can still last 90 minutes on the world stage, with Silva missing this could well make up the 54-year-olds mind for him, enabling him to utilise Thomas Muller elsewhere, rather than as a false nine.
As a more orthodox frontman the Lazio striker is still extremely mobile regardless of his ageing legs and with David Luiz’ expeditions into opposition half can allow him to capitalise on the centre-backs tactical shortcomings.
While the talented Dante will likely replace Silva questions remain whether he can marshal his defensive partner as successfully as the former AC Milan man and should the Nationalmannschaft and Klose take advantage they may not be able to recover.
The personal incentive for the 36-year-olds to break the all-time World Cup goalscoring record held by Ronaldo, whose two goals in 2002 condemned Klose to a Final defeat, may also be crucial.
Luiz Gustavo vs Bayern Munich
Much of the frantic rash challenges witnessed during the Selecao’s quarter-final scuffle with Colombia stemmed from the absence of defensive-midfielder Luiz Gustavo, as Brazil attempted to reduce the influence of the outstanding James Rodriguez.
However, while the Germans arguable do not have a single individual in similar form shown the 26-year-old will have plenty of work to do dealing with his former Bayern Munich teammates Toni Kroos, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Muller as they try to control possession and tempo of the match to silence the home crowd.
After winning the Champions League alongside them in 2013 many were surprised the Brazilian departed the Allianz Arena, let alone join fellow Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, but the former fan favourite has already shown how important he can be against his former club.
On his first return to the club in September Gustavo was fundamental them holding the reigning champions until ultimately falling to defeat by a solitary Muller goal with 25 minutes remaining.
In comparison, the corresponding fixture at the Volkswagen Arena in March, and Gustavo absent, Bayern netted six times, with Muller again striking in the 63 minute to provide the lead and making it four in the 78th.
The Brazilian full-backs vs German full-backs
Possibly as important as Silva’s absence is the loss of starlet Neymar from the Brazil attack, and with that in mind the Selecao may finally have to get the best out of lone striker Fred who had topped the scoring charts at the Confederations Cup last summer.
Rarely willing, or able, to drop deep to initiate attacks the 30-year-old has struggled to link effectively with the Barcelona man or attacking partners Oscar and Hulk, ruled offside on countless occasion when they did eventually work the ball to him, and it may be time for another tactic.
With his penchant for straying past the last man, Dani Alves, Marcelo and more recently Maicon’s eagerness to attack could be key if they can get behind the German defensive line and delivering quality balls for the Fluminense man to attack.
However, Low’s reluctance to employ Philipp Lahm at full-back (although with injuries that is where he should start) and traditional centre-back Benedikt Howedes deployed left they lack the natural inclination to push-on and may stifle the Brazilian full-backs attacking exploits.
It will then become vital that wideman Hulk and Willian, should he replace Neymar, occupy the Nationalmannschaft full-backs to provide space in behind for the runs of Maicon and Marcelo.
Follow Kevin Pogorzelski on Twitter: @rabbitrabbiton
