8th July, 2014
Germany coach Joachim Loew has warned hosts Brazil that his side will mean business when the teams meet in the World Cup semi-final tonight, proclaiming: “We’re not done yet.”
The Germans will be bidding to reach their first World Cup final since 2002 – when they were beaten by Brazil – in Belo Horizonte this evening.
At the same time, they will be hoping to avoid a hat-trick of consecutive semi-final disappointments by taking the penultimate step towards their first major title since Euro 96.
“We’ve been in at least the semi-finals of the last four World Cups and that just shows that we’ve been playing consistently at the very highest level,” Loew said.
“This is a highlight now; it’s something special and amazing. I’m looking forward to it so much, and everybody in the squad is too.
“I think all Germans are also, and one thing’s for sure – we desperately want to play in the Maracana in Rio again on 13 July. We’re not done yet.”
One of the pre-tournament favourites, Germany have lived up to their billing and – apart from a few hairy moments against Algeria – have rarely looked in any danger.
Their biggest test is about to come, though.
“We all know how strong Brazil are,” Low said. “They were the big favourites right from the start and the players have mostly coped with this role outstandingly.
Meanwhile, Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has urged his squad to use star striker Neymar’s loss due to a back injury as motivation when they face Germany today.
The 22-year-old will miss the remainder of the tournament after suffering a broken vertebra towards the end of his side’s 2-1 quarterfinal win against Colombia.
“I think the additional motivation we must have in every match is going up another step and getting closer to our objective of the final,” Scolari said. “The way Neymar spoke to the players made them understand that he had done his share and now we need to do our share.”
“For me, the other players, and all the Brazilian people, this match is very important. It could take us to the final. We are playing for our country, it is everything we imagined and dreamed of, and also for Neymar.”
The former Chelsea boss admitted they haven’t gone about their business in the most aesthetically pleasing manner on home soil.
“We are doing everything step-by-step, not always in the most beautiful way but we are getting closer to playing the final at home and so everything is as scheduled.”
Brazil will also be without suspended captain Thiago Silva after the Brazilian Football Confederation’s appeal against his second yellow card of the competition against Colombia was rejected on Monday.
However, Germany boss Joachim Loew warned the loss of Silva and Neymar could serve to galvanise the hosts.
And Scolari insisted his squad were prepared for having to overcome adversity on their quest to win a sixth World Cup on home soil.
“Since the beginning we have been very motivated to overcome obstacles. We knew we would have to overcome problems just to get to past the group and the last 16. That will continue because we have another elimination match in front of us.”
“Tomorrow Neymar, who is one of the best players in the world, will not be present but we have another 22 players that have been handpicked because there are special players.”