WORLD CUP 2014: GERMANY TO ENCOUNTER IN THE SEMIFINALS "NEYMARLESS", YET STRONGER BRAZIL

Judging by the German displays at this world cup, the descendants of the Teutonic tribes have recovered the old traits, which Joachim Low's offensively brilliant team was missing in all post-2002 tournaments. Except for the first two spectacular matches at this world cup (Germany v. Portugal, won be the Germans 4:0 and Germany v. Ghana, spectacular yet full of anarchy match, ended by a draw 2:2), the Germans had to grind their wins out against USA, Algeria and France in less than a spectacular fashion. However, they seemed to have recovered their old boring yet winning ways, for which Germany has been known since their first world title won in World Cup 1954 in Switzerland (after beating the spectacular Magyars 3:2) until their third world title won at World Cup 1990 in Italy (when they edged Diego Maradona's Argentina 1:0 on a penalty goal, converted by Brehme). No more spectacular were the Germans when they won their third and last Euro title, in Euro 1996, played on the pitches of old and merry England. The recovery of the old German grit does not bode well for Neymar-less Brazil. However, I am of the opinion that Brazil has better chances of beating Germany without Neymar than with him. The Brazilian team playing with Neymar was unexpectedly week, and incoherent most of the times. As a result of having two egotistical players in the team, such as Neymar on the left wing, and Hulk on the right flank, Brazilian centre-forward Fred has been the most ineffective Brazilian no. 9 since the times of infamous Serginho. Both Neymar and Hulk, instead of feeding Fred with precise passes, preferred to cut in to the middle from the flanks and shoot themselves. This caused the loss of unpredictability for which the Brazilian teams of old were known and feared for, as well as isolation of Fred from the whole Brazilian team. I believe that in the match against Germany we will see more passes to Fred, who thanks to his physique might be able to hold the ball and create spaces for other players coming either from flanks (such as Hulk, Willian or Bernard) or for Oscar, Fernandinho and Paulinho following Fred from the middle. Loss of Thiago Silva in defense will be much more painful for the Brazilians, as he is their most solid defensive player. In fact, the other three defenders (Dani Alves, David Luiz and Marcelo) are great assets in offense, but often liabilities in defensive assignments. Dante, the centre-half of Bayern Munich, who surely will take place of Thiago Silva, is known for his great passes from deep defense on forward and he is a threat on Brazil's corner kicks but he is not as good as Thiago Silva on the defensive end. I believe the Germans, with their methodical offensive plays, will want to explore the frailties of the Brazilian defense. However, the Germans have not such a great defense themselves. If they play Boateng, Mertesacker, Hummels and Howedes, it appears that Brazil will not have much to say on the high ball passes, but they can try to exploit the not so mobile German tall defenders, such as Boateng, Mertesacker and Howedes, with simple one-two plays. To avoid too much exposure, Jogi Low should play Lahm, Mertesacker, Hummels and Howedes, a line of defense much more mobile. In midfield, Schweinsteiger should be paired with Kroos and Khedira, whereas the attack should be led by Muller, with Ozil and Gotze (or explosive Podolski) on the flanks. Miroslav Klose should be kept for the last 20 minutes of the game, in case there is a need to "throw a kitchen sink" at the Brazilians. The Brazilians will probably play Luiz Gustavo (or Paulinho) and Fernandinho, who brutalized so effectively James Rodriguez, as their two holding players, whereas Oscar should be playing the false no. 9, behind lone striker, Fred. On the wings, it should be Hulk and Willian or Bernard. I believe it is highly possible that Scolari might play even three holding players, in attempt to stifle German midfield. Another option is to play two holding players, with Willian instead of Oscar as the false no. 9, and to have Hulk and explosive Bernard on the wings. Whichever way Scolari choses to play, and notwithstanding another expected help from the referee and his assistants, I strongly believe that Germans will prevail and will reach the final. My prediction regarding the other semfinal, Argentina v. Holland, will be published soon.

Janusz Andrzejewski is a New York City based attorney writing on legal and other community important topics. You may contact him by telephone: (212) 634-4250 or by e-mail: janusz@januszandrzejewski.com