Brazil superstar Neymar will miss rest of World Cup, so what does Phil Scolari do with his XI?

DOES Brazil have a plan B? Neymar hasn’t missed a Brazil game since May 2012. So the question now is: what on earth does Phil Scolari do without him?

Does Brazil exist without Neymar?

FOR two years we wondered how Neymar would cope shouldering the hopes of 200 million Brazilians.

Now, we wonder how 11 other men in yellow can handle the burden of playing without Neymar - the first time a Selecao side has not featured him since 31 May 2012, a stretch of 38 games.

“Neymar is our benchmark. He is our reference because he always makes the difference. We have lost the one player we did not want to lose,” Luis Felipe Scolar told Marca.

The precocious No.10 has been Brazil’s most likely attacking weapon across the five games of the tournament so far, the shining light in an attack that has failed to click into the fluent gear so many football fans expect of the Selecao.

Decision time for Big Phil.

He’s the image of Brazilian flair we yearn to see from this side, shining out from a team that has otherwise been more grit than great. Indeed, it might seem ironic that two centre-backs were the goalscoring match winners for a Brazilian side, but for this Scolari outfit, it’s probably fitting.

Brazil's forward Hulk (L), Brazil's defender and captain Thiago Silva and Brazil's forward Neymar.

A rampaging Hulk down the left flank has been the greatest support the Barcelona midfielder has received. Otherwise, Fred, up front, has been mocked, while Oscar has been on the periphery after his promising start against Croatia.

Neymar says goodbye.

Against Colombia, the hosts upped the ante, tempo and intensity and looked as positive as they have all tournament. But Luis Felipe Scolari’s game plan was laced with a very pragmatic clause: his side was robust, physical and intimidating to ensure that they won the battle, as well as the football contest.

After an indifferent integration into Barcelona alongside Lionel Messi, many wondered whether Neymar would be able to re-produce his Confederations Cup heroics on the biggest stage of all.

Four goals, plus a cool penalty against Chile is testament to his ability to handle the pressure.

He might not have reached the very heights he desired, but he was undoubtedly Brazil’s best.

He is their attack.

So now what?

Brazil have not just lot their leader, Thiago Silva (to suspension) but also their spiritual leader, Neymar.

They’ve lost their No.10, their ace at set pieces and top goal scorer, but also their x-factor, the player who brings that intangible confidence to the line-up, and to the entire country.

But really, they can’t replace him.

There’s no doubt his absence will galvanise his teammates to ‘do it for him’ and to show they can win without him.

Scolari may in fact play on that theme and turn the game against Germany into a midfield war, with the likes of Luis Gustavo and Ramires looking to be included alongside or instead of Paulinho and Fernandinho.

Another option is to stick to the same 4-2-3-1 formula and hope his backing of a tired Oscar reaps dividends, by giving the Chelsea playmaker a free, central role, while bringing in another wide, speedy option like a Shakhtar Donetsk’s Bernard, Willian, or even Dani Alves.

Brazil's Willian grimaces in pain, after falling to the ground, at training. Bad timing!

Chelsea’s Willian, who had an injury scare at training on Sunday but should be fine to contend for a spot, said playing alongside club teammate Oscar is a positive: “We played a lot together last season at Chelsea,” Willian said. “We were free to move around and we are very familiar with each other’s games. If Scolari does choose me, it won’t be a problem for us because we have had a year of playing together.”

Bernard added: “We have to be prepared ... We are all very sad but we have to overcome it. This is a World Cup semi-final and the players have to be prepared, psychologically and emotionally.

“We have lots of other good players and we can still beat Germany and be the champions.”

Either way, it’s hard to replace a majestic talent who has scored 35 goals in 54 caps, and has a star quality that transcends the sport.

It might just have turned the Germany semi-final clash into a midfield minefield that will be decided by the barest of margins, where Neymar would have been the bonus, but not the key.

Scolari certainly has his hands full.

“Brazil needs him because he’s that individual player that can win,” Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho told Yahoo Sport after the Colombia game. “(He can) … balance situations for them, score a goal, fantastic with his service for set pieces.

“But I would say Thiago Silva in this moment is so more important than Neymar ... because the Brazil game is based on the defensive strength and organisation.

“Thiago Silva brings defensive stability to the team.”

Brazil's midfielder Oscar could step up to centre stage.

Originally published as Brazil superstar Neymar will miss rest of World Cup, so what does Phil Scolari do with his XI?