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For only the second time in their World Cup history, Germany will take on Brazil in the world's major international tournament.

With Neymar injured and Thiago Silva suspended, the Germans will fancy their chances of reaching an eighth World Cup final.

And they may be more cohesive as many of their players return to the positions they were most accustomed to in previous spells with the national team.

It was a point made by European football writer Ben Lyttleton after the 1 - 0 win over France when he spoke to Off The Ball.

Since his reinvention as a deep-lying midfielder under Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, Lahm has reprised that role for Germany more often than not over the past 12 months.

Yet his return to full-back against France allowed Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira to play alongside each other again, giving Germany a more familiar look.

Jerome Boateng, who moved to a centre-back role against France, had only created two chances from right back during the World Cup group stages according to Squawka.

While Lahm did not put in any crosses against France, his heat map showed much more attacking intent than Boateng's efforts against Ghana and Portugal in the group stages...

Lahm's Squawka heat-map vs France. Germany attacking towards the left.

Jerome Boateng's Squawka heat map vs Ghana. Germany attack this way --------->

His passing maps show he also played more passes - as well as more accurate and shorter passes - than Boateng has tended to. 

So with Neymar out of the picture, Lahm may feel that he has more licence to attack with just Hulk to worry about on Tuesday night's semi should Joachim Low remain at right back.