By Adam Crafton Follow @@AdamCrafton_ As Brazil prepare to take on Germany in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday evening, they do so deprived of the services of their talisman Neymar and shorn of the attacking spark so readily associated with the country’s brand of football. In Neymar,'s absence the burden passes to the underwhelming Fred, notable only for his Anglicised name and the increasingly exasperating Hulk. It begs the question as to just what has happened to a country famed for attacking brilliance. Here, Sportsmail charts the alarming decline of several celebrated names that should, really, have been destined to play a major part in Brazil….
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Those three Brazil stars plus Pato were all left out by Scolari
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Brazil go into their semi final with Brazil without the usual attacking flair
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Neymar's injury leaves just Fred and Hulk as the hosts' main threats
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Could the Selecao have benefited from those left out?
Quite simply, the 2014 incarnation of the @placeholder, characterised by their high intensity and highly disciplined game-plans, do not make allowances for luxury passengers.