The Seleção examined before the World Cup semi-final against Germany for a replacement for Neymar. Brazil coach Scolari has not much choice – and therefore the team now emphasizes the group thought.

From Rio de Janeiro to the location to just under 900 meters Teresópolis it takes by car and a half hours. Also on this Sunday afternoon it runs swiftly to it, nothing short of the city limits. The only access road is dense, a car lined up for miles to the next, they all want to the training ground of the Brazilian national team. Hundreds of supporters of the Seleção have traveled; they want their team in this complicated situation to be near, but above all they want to know: Who will be in the semi-final against Germany on Tuesday to replace the injured Neymar?

The Brazilian Association of CBF has set this afternoon two possible candidates to the press podium, Bernard, 21, an attacking midfielder at Shakhtar Donetsk, Willian, 25, winger at Chelsea. Whether it is or their boyish appearance, the size of them may task ahead – both act on their chairs lost something.

However, it also lasts until they are allowed to talk about himself for the first time, because again and again the Brazilian journalist of them want to hear how the team deals with the shock after Neymar vertebral fracture and its WM-off. Must be at least three times Bernard say how sad the whole team, and Willian can go back and list what great human and footballing properties Neymar the team will be missing.

Brazil 2014 World Cup:”Everyone has special qualities”

“No one would have ever expected that it would come to this situation,” says Bernard, neither the team nor the fans: “We have therefore not previously practiced as it is to play without him.” But he was certain that coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will manage to fill the gap left by Neymar. “Every player in the national team is here because he has special qualities,” says Willian, “all are mentally and physically well prepared Whomever Scolari chooses to play on Neymar position., He will do his best and do the job well do that. ”

They seem to have learned their motivational phrases together by heart, in almost every answer they emphasize that they trust their coach and his decisions: “He will make the team as and choose the right tactics, so that we can beat Germany,” said Willian. But how it should look, even many experts is still unclear. Because so far, the Brazilian game focused entirely on Neymar, Scolari had built around his tactics to the 22-year-olds. The most likely solution to the Neymar position is Willian. Although he is not as technically adept as the injured player exception, but just as fast and agile.

“I strongly believe in Willian, he has similar capabilities to Neymar,” says the captain Thiago Silva locked in the semifinals, “I am sure that he will close the hole very well.” So far Willian has not really kicked in appearance at this World Cup, ever since he completed his debut in the Seleção in 2011 only ten games. In Brazil, he appeared as a substitute in the two group matches against Mexico and Cameroon, and in the second round against Chile he replaced. Shortly thereafter, he missed a penalty of.

Brazil 2014 World Cup:Four goals in 42 games

“I’ve never stood in a semi-final,” says William and strives thereby to radiate confidence, “it would be something really great for me to play there.” When a journalist wants to know from him whether he believed to be a worthy replacement, smiles Willian. “I would never compare myself with Neymar, we are very different. He is an exceptional player, but I also have my skills.”

However, the closing of gates does not necessarily belong to it. Since joining Anzhi Makhachkala from Chelsea last August he scored in 42 games, only four hits. At Stamford Bridge but it holds a lot of Willian, coach Jose Mourinho appreciates his creative ideas. They were also one reason why Scolari appointed the 25-year-olds in his World Cup squad.

Should the choice actually fall on Willian – serious alternatives are actually only Bernard and Ramires – he stood before the hitherto most difficult task of his career. He must do it against Germany not only to set the far less successful attacker Hulk and Fred in the scene, but also to deal with the pressure that will automatically be on Neymar substitute.

Because of his title Mission Brazil would not do you differ: “Our dream is to still get to the final and win the World Cup,” said Willian. Germany is one of the best team that he knew – “now we need to show how strong we really are as a group.” Another plan is not also Scolari.

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