Germans urge ref to check tough-tackling Brazil

German star Bastian Schweinsteiger says the referee must pay close attention to tough-tackling Brazil in Tuesday's semi-final to ensure fouls do not go unchecked.

"I am all for hard, clean challenges, but there were one or two tackles which were over the limit," Schweinsteiger said after watching Brazil's quarter-final win over Colombia that featured many robust challenges by the hosts.

"The Brazilians here aren't the magicians of old, the team has changed and so has their playing style.

"Hard challenges are definitely are part of their game."

Germany head coach Joachim Loew agreed: "The Brazilians have technically good players, but they are also very robust and it's something the referee must pay close attention to."