Bastian Schweinsteiger has blasted Brazil's brutish tactics ahead of Germany's World Cup semi-final clash against the hosts.
Brazil will be without superstar Neymar in Belo Horizonte after Colombia's Juan Zuniga clattered the Barcelona forward in the quarter-final – leaving him with a broken bone in his back.
Yet it was Brazil's own tough treatment of Colombia's No.10 James Rodriguez that left a bitter taste in Schweinsteiger's mouth.
The last eight-clash between Brazil and Colombia brought 54 fouls, a record at this year's tournament, of which 31 were committed by the hosts.
And Bayern Munich midfielder Schweinsteiger says the wizardry of Brazil's football can often veil their wickedness.
"I am all for a healthy hardness, but some of Brazil's fouls were over the limit," said the 29-year-old.
"Brazilians are not only football magicians. Hard tackling is part of their game. We have to be careful and so does the referee."
Neymar's fractured vertebrae has ruled him out of the rest of the World Cup, and left the Selecao's hopes of winning the tournament in serious doubt.
The 22-year-old had scored four times to lead his country to the quarter-finals but Schweinsteiger claims it could prove to be a blessing in disguise for Brazil.
"We all are very sad that Neymar cannot play," added Schweinsteiger. "He is a great player. Now their colleagues will try to get the title for him. That doesn't make it easier for us. [Luiz Felipe] Scolari will prepare them well.
"They have coaches with a lot of experience who won the World Cup. They are clever coaches and you need intelligent coaches to win the title."
Germany, competing in their fourth successive semi-final, have been contending with a bout of flu sweeping through the camp and it is yet to be seen whether Arsenal's Per Mertesacker can shake it off in time for the clash at Estadio Mineirao.
Suspended Brazil captain Thiago Silva will be replaced by Bayern Munich's Dante but influential midfielder Luiz Gustavo will return after serving a one-match ban against Colombia.
In the absence of Neymar, Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari must choose between Willian, Bernard or Hernanes to fill in.
But Chelsea winger Willian says the squad have united since the devastating loss of their talisman.
"Neymar sets the standard for us. He is capable of deciding any game, so playing without him will be difficult," said Willian. "We know the quality that we have.
"We are all very sad at losing him but we are now even stronger after what happened and we can continue to pursue our dream."
