Euro 2012
18 June 2012 886 comments
Paul Paul
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It’s the penultimate evening of the group stages already and Group C is still far from decided. While Republic of Ireland have nothing but pride to play for against Italy, Cesare Prandelli’s team need the three points to stand any chance of progressing.

A win for Spain against Croatia in the other game would be beneficial to the Italian cause but, as the previous couple of nights have shown, we should take nothing for granted. Both games kick off at 7.45pm this evening and, as always, our Dugout Discussion is up and running.

The team news is in and is as follows:

For Italy, Cesare Prandelli rings the changes for their must-win match. The 3-5-2 system is out, replaced by a 4-3-1-2, while four players are replaced in the starting XI. Ignazio Abate and Federico Balzaretti are handed starting roles at right and left-back respectively, Daniel De Rossi moves back into midfield, while Andrea Barzagli comes in at centre-half. Thiago Motta plays “in the hole” behind a front two, with Antonio Di Natale partnering Antonio Cassano up top – Mario Balotelli, Christian Maggio, Emanuele Giacherrini and Leonardo Bonucci drop out.

Giovanni Trapattoni makes just a single alteration to his side, with Kevin Doyle returning to partner Robbie Keane up front – this means Simon Cox drops to the bench.

Italy Starting XI: Buffon; Abate, Barzagli, Chiellini, Balzaretti; De Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio; Motta; Cassano, Di Natale

Republic of Ireland XI: Given; O’Shea, St Ledger, Dunne, Ward; McGeady, Andrews, Whelan, Duff; Keane, Doyle

Defending champions Spain keep faith in the side that hammered Republic of Ireland last time out. Fernando Torres continues to lead the line after his double against Trapattoni’s troops last Thursday, leaving Cesc Fabregas to warm the bench.

Slaven Bilic makes a couple of changes to his side. Croatia look for a little more security and roll out what appears to be a 4-5-1 formation; Nikica Jelavic drops out, as does Ivan Perisic, with Danijel Pranjic and Domagoj Vida handed starting roles against the Spanish.

Spain Starting XI: Casillas; Arbeloa, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Alonso; Silva, Torres, Iniesta

Croatia Starting XI: Pletikosa; Srna, Corluka, Schildenfeld, Strinic; Pranjic, Rakitic, Vida, Vukojevic, Modric; Mandzukic

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886 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. suvoneel
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    guys....gerrard or benzema for captain tomorrow??? I need this big double return very badly to stay put at my position in my pvt league

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    1. pukey
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      benzema

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  2. EoinM
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    IS boeting nailed on do you guys reckon?:

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    1. pukey
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      yes

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  3. Access
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Who's a better captain Rooney or nasri

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  4. satsumo
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    well my punt to put Buffon as captain wasn't too bad as he ended up getting 10 points! Should've chosen Iniesta, but then if I had he would never have got that assist!

    Buffon (c) with 10 points, or change to Nasri (or Lescott)?

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  5. Mindless Freak
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Got a maths exam tomorrow @ 1:25 so going to have to revise until 12 then wake up @ 8 and revise until 10:30-11 then go in for a revision session and after that 1 hour break in between and then exam and then all exams have finished. - Booyah.

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    1. Mindless Freak
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      But i know i'm going to fail because i find maths hard. Even though i'm doing higher.

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  6. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Oh I hate myself!! Stupid last ditch transfer in day 2 has cost me this game!
    Would be roughly 50th if not. Poo!

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