Dugout Discussion

World Cup 2014 – Dugout Discussion – Matchday 5, Day 1

After a couple of days’ break, Brazil 2014 gets underway this evening as the World Cup reaches the quarter-final stages. First up, we’ve an all-European encounter between Group E winners France and Group G winners Germany before hosts Brazil take to the pitch against a Colombia side that has scored at least twice in every match and boasts the tournament’s leading scorer, James Rodriguez:

France: Lloris; Debuchy, Varane, Sakho, Evra; Cabaye, Matuidi, Pogba; Valbuena, Benzema, Griezmann

Germany: Neuer; Lahm, Hummels, Boateng Howedes; Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Kroos; Muller, Klose, Ozil

Didier Deschamps makes two changes from the side that started against Nigeria last time around. At the back, fit-again Mamadou Sakho takes the place of Laurent Koscielny in central defence, whilst further up the field, Olivier Giroud is replaced by Antoine Griezmann in a switch that will allow Karim Benzema the chance to return to a central role up front. Having served up back-to-back blanks, the Real Madrid man will be desperate for a return to the form that saw him serve up three goals and a pair of assists in his first couple of appearances, whilst Mathieu Valbuena and Paul Pogba are looking to add to their goal and assist tallies so far.

Joachim Low makes a trio alterations to his flu-hit starting XI for the early kick-off. Mats Hummels recovers from illness to take his place in the heart of defence alongside Jerome Boateng, with Per Mertesacker dropping out. Philipp Lahm looks set to start in defence for the first time in the tournament – he gets the nod ahead of Shkodran Mustafi at right-back. Sami Khedira and Miroslav Klose are also drafted in by the Germany manager; the latter is likely to lead the line, with Thomas Muller and Mesut Ozil handed the roles out wide in the front three. As the only player to have a hand in more than one of his side’s nine goals, Muller carries the hopes of many Fantasy managers heading into this one, whilst Klose will be looking to break the World Cup scoring record after netting the fifteenth of his career earlier in the tournament.

In the 9pm kick-off, Phil Scolari’s side will be seeking an improvement after an unimpressive win over Mexico last time around. The hosts required penalties to dispose of Miguel Herrera’s men after Neymar served up a second blank in three appearances – having bagged a brace in his first and third matches, Brazil will be hoping he maintains that pattern and gets amongst the goals in their fifth match of the tournament. Elsewhere for Scolari’s men, Oscar, Fred and Hulk need to step up if they are to progress – the Chelsea man has picked up just an assist over the last three, whilst the latter two have failed to impress, with Fred’s goal against Cameroon the only time either has found the net.

As mentioned, Colombia have the form player of the tournament in James Rodriguez. With five goals and two assists already to his name, he’s the only player to have scored in all four Matchdays and poses a major threat to the hosts chances of progressing. Fellow midfielder Juan Cuadrado has served Fantasy managers very well thus far, too, with a goal and four assists over his four starts, whilst Jackson Martinez brace against Japan underlined his capabilities in and around the box.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

1,029 Comments Post a Comment
  1. yash
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Hummels 🙁

    Open Controls
  2. Chu Young Ping Pong
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Hummels is class.

    Open Controls
  3. crystalpalaceRus
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    At least Muller & Benzema blank. Makes me happy seeing Neymar, Messi & Robben still to go 😀

    Open Controls
    1. The EJJ
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Nice ain't it? 🙂

      Open Controls
  4. Holy See
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Hummels related post

    Open Controls
    1. 4vets
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      +1

      Open Controls
  5. Lawrø
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    I don't know whether to be happy that I own Hummels or gutted because I captained Sakho(6) instead of him! :/

    Open Controls
    1. 4vets
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Lawro, you can't be happy. Accept it.

      Open Controls
      1. Lawrø
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        You make a valid point 😉

        Open Controls
    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      I think you need shooting. Maybe. 😉

      Mind you, I captained Klose ... 😀

      Open Controls
      1. Lawrø
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        😯

        Open Controls
    3. #NAGA5000
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      happy, worst if you didnt own him

      Open Controls
  6. VougieDipond
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Varane 10 points 😀 delighted with that

    Open Controls
    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      So would he be. He was crap.

      Open Controls
      1. VougieDipond
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        allowing hummels to score was a masterstroke

        Open Controls
        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 4 months ago

          😆

          Open Controls
      2. nc3
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        i think he must have had him as his captain too

        Open Controls
  7. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    So. I am not always wrong, then. 😉

    Open Controls
    1. Alan The Llama
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Even a stopped clock....

      Open Controls
      1. Holy See
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Feck!

        Open Controls
    2. 4vets
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Well, Lahm was shite 🙂

      Open Controls
      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Is that actually your opinion? 😯

        Open Controls
      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        High 5, brother. 🙂

        Open Controls
    3. Holy See
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      The words twice, clock, a day, broken, come to mind 😛

      Open Controls
    4. Blue Lion
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      We called it..A German goal.

      Open Controls
      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Domination, I call it.

        The French were woeful.

        Open Controls
  8. Sheep
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Rio Ferdinand drinking game:

    Take a shot everytime he mentions experience or rubs his nose.

    Open Controls
  9. Kroos Kontrol
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Captaining JRod or Poster Boy?

    Open Controls
  10. Blue Lion
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Lol at Sakho owners.

    Open Controls
    1. 4vets
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      🙄

      Try a bit a bit of sporting behaviour. It's so much better for you and everyone else.

      Open Controls
      1. Blue Lion
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        He was to be subbed off before 90..I raised the question many times.. nobody replied. 🙁

        Open Controls
        1. Sandstorm
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 4 months ago

          You are so fecking smart.

          Open Controls
  11. Saniul
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Pogba 3 points, Muller 3 points.
    I'm so happy. 😀

    Open Controls
  12. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    42 points for hummels(c). 😎 😀

    Open Controls
    1. Kroos Kontrol
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      With CS or without CS pts?

      Open Controls
      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        With CS.

        Open Controls
    2. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      😯

      Open Controls
    3. De_Roiste
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Snap! That's the captaincy sorted. Can sit back and enjoy the rest.

      Open Controls
  13. Jimmers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Hummels (c) - stick or twist 😉

    Open Controls
    1. bazrah99
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      LOL

      Open Controls
  14. Zasa
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    21 points, oh behaaave

    Open Controls
    1. Holy See
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Filthy.

      Open Controls
  15. GunsnRoses
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Valbuena up to 5 points.

    My bench mark for a defender was 9 and for a midfielder was 7.

    Sakho and Valbuena wasted 😛

    Open Controls
  16. Dr Dream
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    MoM ?

    Open Controls
    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Griezman

      Open Controls
      1. Dr Dream
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        yeah, course he was.

        Open Controls
    2. bazrah99
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Sakho

      Open Controls
    3. Beavis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Has to be Hummels.

      Open Controls
  17. Heydudes13
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Hummels and Varane nice start. 🙂

    Open Controls
    1. Root
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Boateng and Sakho

      Open Controls
  18. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Phone upgrade next week and not sure what to get....

    a) Sony Xperia Z2

    b) HTC One M8

    c) iphone 5S

    d) Galaxy S5

    Open Controls
    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      iPhone

      Open Controls
      1. bazrah99
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Wait for iPhone 6

        Open Controls
    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      iPhone. Accept no imitations.

      Open Controls
    3. Heydudes13
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Cancel your contract and get an iPhone 6.

      Open Controls
      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        I don't want to pay a high phone bill just to have the latest model though? Is the 5 good enough?

        Open Controls
        1. Heydudes13
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 4 months ago

          Haha it's fine.

          Open Controls
        2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 4 months ago

          The 4S is bloody good. 🙂

          Open Controls
    4. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      e) Bat

      Open Controls
  19. BellsOfFreedom
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Captain JRod or Neymar?

    Open Controls
  20. bazrah99
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Klose had a ball recovery added lol

    Open Controls
    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Wey-hey!!! 😆

      Open Controls
  21. VougieDipond
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    71 points not bad I suppose could of been better

    Open Controls
    1. Root
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      have

      Open Controls
      1. Holy See
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Yes, could certainly do better with his prepositions.

        Open Controls
  22. Saniul
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Neuer, Hummels, Howedes, Kroos.

    OR 14 on Fox 😎

    Open Controls
    1. Blue Lion
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Wow! Way to go..
      Hummels warming my bench.:(

      Open Controls
      1. Saniul
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Won't last.
        My 5th player and biggest punt Griezmann failed badly. 🙁

        Open Controls
    2. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Nicely done. My German defence x4 never worked in the last 16, should have stuck with them.

      Open Controls
    3. Tommytour
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Shouldn't have transferred out German defence 🙁

      Well done

      Open Controls
      1. Saniul
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        No Muller in the knockouts has worked pretty well for me so far. 🙂

        Open Controls
  23. Reed_Rothchild
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    The dominant race in Europe advances.

    Open Controls
    1. Werkself
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      WTF?

      Open Controls
  24. PKB
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    So.. now, Aguilar/Cuadrado/Zapata Captain?

    Open Controls
    1. Root
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Yepes!

      Open Controls
    2. Root
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Aguilar might not start.

      Open Controls
    3. Heydudes13
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Zapata!

      Open Controls
  25. Sif
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Hummels robbed of a few points 😉

    Open Controls
    1. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Why?

      Open Controls
  26. GunsnRoses
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Link for QF spreadsheet ?

    Open Controls
  27. Lord Dragon
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Captained varane over hummels, wrong decision!

    Least I had hummels I suppose.

    Well done to everyone who made the right choice.

    Open Controls
  28. Dr Dream
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Back to 13 OR in Fox..won't last.

    Open Controls
  29. It’s A Joke
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    I'm on 13 cack points from 3 players. Poo. At least I can bring Neymar, Messi and Robben in.

    Open Controls
    1. Root
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      They aren't defenders.

      Open Controls
  30. Tommytour
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Nearly made a schoolboy in Fox

    Didn't do sub order so Hummels 2nd sub if RVP doesn't make it

    Luckily Duarte first sub 🙂

    Open Controls
    1. Saniul
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      RVP will make it.

      Open Controls