Brazil vs Germany Preview: Hulk's chance to be Brazil's Superhero

Every football fan on the planet knows what it means for Brazil to lose Neymar. And with the suspension of Thiago Silva, Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari may have also lost the option of a defensive-cum-setplay strategy often (rightly or wrongly) associated with Greece.
It is an opportunity for the supporting cast to step up to the role of national hero, and the players may be especially motivated by this. Here we shall run through a list of the possible saviours, in ascending order of probability:

1, The Number 9: Let's first get the strikers out of the way. Any striker can score a goal on their day, but Fred and Jo are not players that would inspire the team to victory. Someone else would have to do the heavy lifting.

2, Oscar: In terms of attacking talent, the next in line to Neymar would be Oscar. The Chelsea playmaker has a great work rate and ability. But since being Man of the Match on opening day, Oscar has shown signs that the efforts during the long and vigorous English league season has finally drained him, and he has not looked impressive since. Unlike dips in form, a loss of physical reserves is hard to replenish, especially towards the end of a gruelling tournament.    

3, Willian: a wild card, has hardly featured thus far, and possesses the pace to breach the German backline and get to the ball before Manuel Neuer.

4, Dani Alves: dropped in favor of Maicon in the quarterfinal against Colombia, Alves may have the key to Germany's defence. Scolari might have wanted the defensive experience of Maicon against the marauding Colombian wingbacks, but against Germany's left back Benedikt Höwedes, he might fancy it's Brazil's turn to have a go. In any case, with Neymar out, Brazil would need an injection of pace and unpredictability into the team, two qualities which Dani Alves has in abundance.

5, Hulk: in the previous games, with Neymar constantly harassed, Hulk had threatened to be the joker in the pack. He looked strong and fit, and more importantly confident enough to make things happen. But for more quality in the finishing his name would already be up in lights. As often seen in teams, the absence of a dominant talisman can free up the stage for a co-star to shine. Hulk looks ready, and all of Brazil would be hoping that a superhero takes to the green.