Brazil can cope without Neymar, says Scolari

Estadio Mineirao, Brazilian Chief coach Luiz Felipe Scolari says his side will cope without injured forward Neymar when they face Germany in Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final.
The 22-year-old has scored four of Brazil’s 10 goals at the tournament but will play no further part after he suffered a fractured vertebra in the 2-1 quarter-final win over Colombia.
Scolari said his squad were fully focused on the task at hand. “Neymar has done his share. Now it’s up to us to do our share,” the coach said.
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“We have accepted what has happened and we are focusing on other things.
“In this match we will be playing not just for ourselves and everything we’ve ever dreamed of, but also for Neymar and everything he’s done for us.”
Neymar’s back was injured in a challenge by Colombia’s Juan Zuniga, although Fifa confirmed on Monday that no action would be taken against the defender.
Captain Thiago Silva, who is suspended for Tuesday’s game, reflected the anger within Brazil’s squad at the manner of their talisman’s injury when he called Zuniga’s tackle “a coward’s challenge”.
However, Germany coach Joachim Low reiterated his opinion that the Brazilians were equally robust and has called on Mexican official Marco Antonio Rodriguez to take a tough line in Tuesday’s semi-final in Belo Horizonte.
“I hope the referee, Mr Rodriguez from Mexico, will clamp down on things,” Low said.
“That physical energy in the match against Colombia went beyond the limits in Europe. In Europe, 22 players wouldn’t have ended that match.
“Colombia against Brazil was a real fight with numerous fouls from both sides, not just the one foul against Neymar. You have to protect the players.”
The atmosphere around the Brazil squad is currently approaching fever pitch as the nation is gripped by the expectation and anticipation of reaching the World Cup final at the Maracana on Sunday.