World Cup 2014 TV Schedule: Who to watch Tuesday, July 8
With eight World Cup titles between the two teams, today鈥檚 match-up has Brazil and Germany meeting for only the second time in Cup history after the 2002 final when Brazil won 2-0.
Brazil takes on Germany at聽4:00 p.m. EST聽at Est谩dio Mineir茫o in Belo Horizonte southeastern Brazil.
Brazil will need to play its best soccer with key players missing during today鈥檚 match. Star forward Neymar is out due to a fractured vertebra sustained in the team鈥檚 win over Colombia and defender and captain Thiago Silva is out with a suspension following two yellow cards. Brazil has also committed the most fouls of any team in the tournament thus far.
Famous Brazilian player and later聽聽told the BBC, 鈥淭he players have a chance to draw energy from Neymar鈥檚 sacrifice. They need to leave their souls on the pitch as a tribute for this kid.鈥�
Brazil鈥檚 player to watch today is defender Dante Santos who plays for Bayern Munich. Dante鈥檚 familiarity with German playing style could give the Brazilians an advantage.
Despite the circumstances, including bringing in a psychologist for players, Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari thinks his team has a聽. 鈥淲e respect [the Germans] but we are going to try to make them respect us.鈥�
Overall, Germany has the edge in this line-up and is hoping not to repeat its 2004 semifinal exit. Coach聽聽told the Washington Post that he doesn鈥檛 see Brazil as an underdog in this line-up.
鈥淵ou shouldn鈥檛 believe the absence of Neymar and Thiago Silva would be a disadvantage for Brazil. Other players will feel liberated. You see when a very strong player is missing and the other players will have to accept more responsibility. I am certain all of the others will be fighting for Neymar, fighting for the nation.鈥�
With 15 goals so far, tied with legendary Brazilian player Ronaldo, Germany鈥檚 Miroslav Klose has a chance today to break the Cup鈥檚 overall scoring record. Striker Thomas M眉ller, who has led the Germans in goals, is another key player to watch.
Today鈥檚 game will air on ESPN and Univision and live streams are available on each broadcaster's website.
