Germany midfielder Sami Khedira has voiced his disappointment that Neymar will be absent from the semi-final clash against Brazil.
Khedira missed the majority of the past club season with injury, only returning in May.
"We want to compete with the best, and Neymar is one of the best," he told Welt am Sonntag.
"We are anything but happy to hear about the news. It's bad news for us and every single football fan, especially the Brazilians.
"We want to compete with the best, and Neymar belongs to the best.
"I feel really sorry for him that he can't play against us, and is no longer able to participate in the World Cup at all. He is a great footballer.
The 27-year-old, however, warned that Brazil will be as dangerous as ever and that Germany will have to be at their best to win.
"Now we all must take on the challenge and try and make it to the final against a changed Brazil XI," Khedira added.
"It's a semifinal at the World Cup, and everything's at stake anyway. Brazil will still field a team that will stretch us to the limit."
Do you think Brazil will still be a match for Germany without Neymar? Have your say in the comments section below.
