Intro:

Neymar's possible replacement Willian withdrew from Brazil's latest training session in Teresopolis ahead of the World Cup host nation's semi-final against Germany.

Script:

One of Neymar's possible replacements limped out of Brazil training on Saturday. Chelsea attacking midfielder Willian appeared to hurt his back in a challenge with Hernanes.

Willian is one of few who have something like Neymar's ability in the squad and so this could be another hammer blow to what many see as this country's destiny.

Brazil's 22-year-old talisman Neymar fractured his vertebra in the quarter-final win against Colombia and is out for a good six weeks.

Their leader at the back will also not be available for the Germany semi-final, Captain Thiago Silva is suspended after picking up his second yellow of the tournament in Fortaleza.

That means Bayern Munich's Dante will come in to play alongside David Luiz.

One boost for Phil Scolari is that Luiz Gustavo returns to the midfield after serving a one match ban.

They've already shown much character in getting to the semi-final, they'll need all that and given the selection issues, probably some more luck to reach the final.