Intro:

Germany took to their training pitch in São Paulo before they play hosts Brazil in the World Cup semi-final at Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte, on 8 July.

Script:

For Germany's players, it was back to their São Paulo training ground on Saturday.

Mats Hummels headed in the only goal of the game against France in the quarter-final on Friday.

Joachim Löw is the man charged with delivering Germany's first World Cup title since 1990.

His chances against hosts Brazil in the semi-finals have received a major boost. Seleção star Neymar is definitely out with with a broken bone in his back sustained in the 2-1 quarter-final win over Colombia. Brazil captain Thiago Silva will also miss the game through suspension after picking up a second booking of the tournament against their South American rivals.

Germany are world football's perennial 'nearly men'. Die Nationalmannschaft have made the quarter-finals or better at their last six tournaments. After beating France in the quarters, Germany are now the first nation to reach four World Cup semi-finals in a row.

The pressure is on.