Brazil v Germany

The trip from the Airport in Belo Horizonte to the Mineirao stadium goes along a wide, well built motorway. In contrast to many Brazilian infrastructure projects this was finished well ahead of the World Cup. As we pass modern offices and poor slums, we head into the hectic center of the 2.5 million strong city and then suddenly it appears: the collapsed Avenido Pedro bridge, where two people lost their lives last Thursday. Rubble lies in the street, a photographer takes photos and a group of people stand beside him looking at the damage.

The tragic accident has dampened the World Cup mood in Belo Horizonte and perhaps – according to some people here – it's a bad omen for the semi-final. The game, which kicks off at 5pm local time (10pm German time) between the hosts and three-time champ Germany is the first time the two countries have ever met in a World Cup semi-final.

Brazil has been dreaming of the "Hexa", the sixth title for the Selecao, since they were awarded the World Cup tournament in 2007. But with a loss against Germany, the country would be rudely awakened. Germany isn't just a difficult opponent, Brazil is distracted with its own issues.

The loss of star player Neymar has become an issue of national importance, the reliance of the team's play on his style has become an openly-discussed issue. Then there's the yellow card suspension of team captain Thiago Silva. The Brazilian football association (CBF) appealed against the ban, without any success. Many people here say that should Brazil lose to Germany, people will be so disappointed that demonstrations could hit the streets, like before the tournament.

Without Neymar, for Neymar

Although things don't look too good for the Selecao, the team argues that the loss of Neymar has brought them closer together.

"We are sad about losing Neymar, but we gain strength from it, in our quest to get to the final and become world champions," says player Willian, who is likely to replace Neymar on the pitch.

"Our number 10 will be with us," says team coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, "if he can he'll be on the bench, or in the stands".

Scolari has beaten Germany before. 12 years ago in Yokohama he lead Brazil to a World Cup final win over the DFB side, 2-nil.

But the history doesn't say too much, about the current situation. Aside from Miroslav Klose no-one from the 2002 German squad is now in Joachim Löw's squad. Since the World Cup in 2006, a new generation of German players have developed and are now hoping to win a World Cup title.

It hasn't always been smooth sailing over the last years for the German side, but the trend has been generally positive. The pinnacle could be achieved with a World Cup title, the dream of coach Löw. "We really want to play in Rio's Maracana stadium again, on 13 July. We aren't finished yet," Löw says on the internet page of the German football association (DFB).

"We will work on a good plan and we'll put up a good fight against the Brazilians," he said. "At the moment, it's 50-50."

Löw thinks that "the small things" will decide who goes through to Sunday's final, against the winner of Wednesday's match between Netherlands and Argentina.

Ahead of the game, Löw is remaining cagey about who will play what role on the pitch. Captain Philipp Lahm will definitely be playing, probably at right back, but Löw didn't confirm it. "Variability and flexibility got us to the World Cup semi-final. Everyone can rest assured: we have further options available."

Schweinsteiger and Khedira seem certain

One variation could be to move Germany's most successful goalscorer at the tournament, Thomas Müller, back up front. Miroslav Klose didn't look that convincing in that position in the quarter-final against France.

It was a different story for defensive midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira who – despite starting the tournament out of form – now seeming to be hitting their straps. Schweinsteiger says he's also ready to play 120 minutes, if need be.

But everyone is making statements like this ahead of the game, as both teams predictably flex their verbal muscles ahead of the fixture. One thing is for sure: for one of these big teams the World Cup will be over at the end of Tuesday evening.