German star Bastian Schweinsteiger says the referee must pay close attention to tough-tackling Brazil in tomorrow’s World Cup semi-final to ensure fouls do not go unchecked.
Brazil captain Thiago Silva is suspended for the semi-final against Germany in Belo Horizonte having been booked on two occasions at Brazil 2014 while star Neymar is injured.
The Selecao have appealed Silva’s ban, but robust challenges from the hosts marred Friday’s quarter-final win.
Colombia striker James Rodriguez, in particular, was dealt some rough treatment in Brazil’s 2-1 victory.
Only two Brazil players – Silva and goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who conceded a penalty – were booked by Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo despite the Selecao’s 31 fouls against Colombia.
“I am all for hard, clean challenges, but there were one or two tackles which were over the limit,” said Schweinsteiger at a press conference yesterday.
“The Brazilians here aren’t the magicians of old, the team has changed and so has their playing style.
“Hard challenges are definitely are part of their game, it’s something we have to be careful of and the referee too.”
Germany head coach Joachim Loew echoed Schweinsteiger’s sentiments with FIFA yet to announce the referee for tomorrow’s mouthwatering showdown.
“We were flying home when the Colombia game was on, so I didn’t see much of the game, but there were a few hard fouls in what I did see,” said the 54-year-old.
“The Brazilians have technically good players, but they are also very robust and it’s something the referee must pay close attention to.”
Brazil were expecting to hear today about Silva’s ban, incurred after he picked up his second yellow card of the competition for blocking off Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina.
The Brazilian federation (CBF) has lodged an appeal and FIFA head of media Delia Fischer said: “I can confirm we have received an appeal from the CBF and this is being analysed.”
The CBF’s chances of success appear limited – appeals against yellow cards are not usually permitted, only red cards.