DAVID LUIZ has told his Brazil team-mates to be ready for "the game of our lives" as he warned they must fulfil a promise to the entire country by overcoming Germany and reaching the World Cup Final.
David Luiz will captain Brazil in the absence of Thiago Silva[ACTION]Luiz is set to be named skipper in the absence of the suspended Thiago Silva and did nothing to downplay the significance of tonight's mouth-watering semi-final showdown in Belo Horizonte.
Luiz scored a cracking 30-yard free-kick against Colombia [PA]Luiz’s stunning 30-yard free-kick sealed Brazil’s quarter-final success over Colombia and his leadership skills will now need to be evident.
Team-mate Bernard, who is likely to miss out to Chelsea’s Willian in the battle to replace Neymar, backed the centre-half.
“David is a very well balanced guy, highly professional and he is working hard,” said the Shakhtar Donetsk star.
“Everyone is aware of the responsibilities of a game like this and how significant this semi-final match is.
“Rest assured we will play the best we can and reach the final at the Maracana.”
Brazil will be without talisman Neymar as well, but centre-half Luiz insist losing is not an option.
"We know we cannot fail," he said. "We have the whole nation behind us, supporting us.
"To enter in the final is to fulfil the first promise to the fans and we are at 90 minutes for this target. We will give everything to achieve the dream.
"Whether or not I am captain, this semi final is unique for me. We all have to be leaders and to be strong.
"My biggest wish is that we remember this day as the day we were successful for our country and reached the final.
"This is the game of our lives. It's so rare that a footballer plays in a semi final in a World Cup in their own country.
"I am living my personal dream but still Brazil is not in the final. The semi final against Germany is like a final and we know what's in front of us.
"We know we suffer big absences with Neymar and Thiago Silva. But now is the time for us all to demonstrate our pride and character."
Germany reached the last four after beating France 1-0, but will confront Luiz Felipe Scolari's side who will be backed by a partisan crowd at the Estadio Mineroa.
We know we cannot fail on Tuesday because we have the whole country with us
Luiz believes the 62,547 overwhelmingly Brazilian fans who will pack into the arena will give the hosts an extra edge as will the continuing groundswell that continues to rally behind Scolari's men.
"We know we cannot fail on Tuesday because we have the whole country with us," said Luiz, who completed a £50m move from Chelsea to Paris St Germain before the start of the tournament.
"They are supporting us, driving us on, they are creating an incredible atmosphere in every game for us to win. We feel like we cannot lose with them with us.
"We are together as a group and we are determined to fight for the title. The pressure is there because the people expect us to win.
"But it is a positive for us - you can feel it in every game."
Bayern Munich star Dante will partner Luiz at the heart of Brazil's rearguard as he prepares to replace Silva. The change will pitch the centre-back into a direct battle with many of his club-mates, such as Thomas Muller and Bastian Schweinsteiger, and he knows the difficulties they will pose.
"We are all in this together and Luiz has become one of the leaders of this team. He is a great, strong character," said Dante.
"I hope I will play but the choice belongs to the coach. But I know German football and I know this will be our hardest game yet. They have great players. It will be very tough.
"I am optimistic because we have our people on our side and with us. But we will have to give a lot of sacrifice and blood."
Luiz scored a cracking 30-yard free-kick against Colombia [PA]Team-mate Bernard, who is likely to miss out to Chelsea’s Willian in the battle to replace Neymar, backed the centre-half.
“David is a very well balanced guy, highly professional and he is working hard,” said the Shakhtar Donetsk star.
“Everyone is aware of the responsibilities of a game like this and how significant this semi-final match is.
“Rest assured we will play the best we can and reach the final at the Maracana.”
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