2014 World Cup Semi Final Preview

We are now just down to the last 4 teams in the tournament and the draw has thrown up 2 very tasty encounters that will be settled by late Wednesday evening into Thursday morning.

Brazil v Germany

The Tuesday night battle between Brazil and Germany will be slightly dampened by the missing Neymar who broke a bone in his back against Colombia, as well as the suspension of captain, Thiago Silva. Nevertheless, it will still be a gripping and exhilarating tie. Even though the Brazilians have home advantage, the Germans will have belief, particularly as the hosts will be missing their talisman. They also have a key asset in Thomas Müller in their possession, who is possibly one of the most underrated players in the world. In addition to this, Miroslav Klose is a useful weapon to have on the bench and will be looking to grab that solitary goal needed to make him the World Cup all time top scorer. It has been widely documented that the lack of a number nine within the ranks of the Selecao has been one of their weaknesses. With the Germans efficient at the back, this could be the match where there attacking weakness is exposed. 

The absence of Neymar is a travesty for the nation of Brazil and this was a match where he had the ability to hurt the Germans. It has been evident throughout the duration of the tournament that Jogi Löw is determined to hold a very high defensive line, even with playing Per Mertesacker at the back. Although with Arsenal, Arsene Wenger deployed a similar tactic against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge which resulted in a calamitous performance from the big German in which they conceded 6 goals. With Germany, Löw has often played with 4 centre halves at the back with Lahm sitting in front, dictating the play. This is an area the Selecao could exploit, particularly with the pace of Hulk, one on one with a defender.

Brazil have got to the Semi Final without mesmerising the world with their spectacular football, and now to get past the Germans, they will have to do it without their golden boy, Neymar as well as influential leader and captain, Thiago Silva.

Argentina v Holland

The second Semi Final match is another cracker. Few people, including myself, gave the Dutch any hope going into the tournament and it wouldn't be unfair to say that they have surprised us all. They have surpassed all expectations, including their own in which they stated they would have been pleased with an exit at the quarter final stage. With Louis Van Gaal at the helm, a shot at glory in the infamous Maracana is not out of the question, but first they must defeat Argentina and Lionel Messi and it won't be an easy task. 

The Argentine media have criticised their country saying that they rely on their own superstar, Lionel Messi too much. This is a fair evaluation of the side as the little wizard has dragged them over the line in the match against Iran as well as providing the assists for Di Maria and Rojo to beat Switzerland and Nigeria respectively. Even though they possess an array of talent in the final third, defensively, they can be loose, as proven in the game against Nigeria. It tough to say who will dictate the majority of the play, if Argentina do, then the Netherlands will be looking to counter in a similar way to which they did against Spain, and we all know how that one turned out. 

Either way, this match will go to the wire and it may be a piece of magic from one of the stars on show to seal the winner for either side. Holland will be hoping to isolate Robben one on one against the defenders, while the Argentines will be hoping that Lionel Messi will be able to come up with the goods once again.

The Final has the possibility of being an all European, or else an all South American affair. A match between the Dutch and the Germans has it's history, and one which should provide plenty of crunching tackles as well as a high calibre of football. The rivalry between the two South American sides in question is enormous. Pundits and football fans have been wishing for a Argentina and Brazil from the start and now, it is looking ever so likely.