Brazil set for 'psychological test' against Germany

BERLIN, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Brazil will face the toughest psychological test of their World Cup preparation when they confront their 2014 tormentors Germany in a friendly on Tuesday, according to head coach Tite.

The clash at the Olympic Stadium will be the first meeting between the teams since the 2014 World Cup semifinals, when Joachim Low's team routed the tournament hosts 7-1.

"This has a huge psychological meaning - no-one needs to fool themselves about that," Tite told Kicker. "The 7-1 is like a ghost, people still talk about it. The more you talk about it, the less this ghost disappears."

The result of the match in Belo Horizonte was described as a national tragedy by Brazil's media and Tite admitted he was reduced to tears while watching at his Sao Paulo home.

"I was watching it with my wife and after the third goal went in, she started to cry," the 56-year-old said. "That started me off. It was a moment of great inspiration for Germany, every shot was a goal - stuff like that doesn't even happen in video games.

"The wound is still open and the match in Berlin is a part of the process of closing it."

Brazil are expected to make just one change from the team that beat Russia 3-0 in Moscow on Friday, with Manchester City's Fernandinho in line to replace Juventus winger Douglas Costa.

Low, meanwhile, will rest Arsenal playmaker Mesut Osil and Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller for the match.

"There might be three or four players in the starting line-ups from 2014," the Germany manager told reporters. "Of course, the Brazilians probably have a bit of desire for revenge, but you can't turn the clock back. The 7-1 is the past."

The match will provide the last chance for players from both teams to impress their respective coaches before squads are announced for the World Cup. The tournament will be played in 11 Russian cities from June 14 to July 15. Enditem