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. People in Preston
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Croatia Flare Throwers back on form. Scum fans.

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    1. Mull
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      So one Croat throws a flare and they are all scum fans 🙄

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

        OK, OK. not all.

        just the one who threw the flare and Forca Inter.

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    2. People in Preston
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      The minority who go to the games, and cause this shit, yes. I'd loved to have gone to this game and be sitting in rows 2-4 and finding I'm on fire. From a fellow country-man.

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

    on last page but not response. maybe no one knows the answer?..

    do price changes occur in the euro fantasy even though there is unlimited transfers for next round?

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    1. PanTanti
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      we r still unsure about that as well but some say because its auto-wc for all there may not be price changes

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  3. leo_messi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    INIESTA...my goddddddd....

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Lazy

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  4. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Well that has brought me down to earth with a bump after c aprain ronaldo. Maggio, jelavic, fabs and Marchiso playing today!

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  5. Evs
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Evening gentleman.

    How's tricks?

    Mick McCarthy = a c0ck.

    Discuss...

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

      Why oh why oh why is he allowed to commentate on this game, he is soooooooo biased!! And rubbish too

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        I like that too ... 😆

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

        Bah beaten too it

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        1. Gaz Downright
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          its not a competition 🙂

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          1. Evs
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            13 years, 5 months ago

            If it was, he ^^^^ would have just lost 🙂

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    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      I quite like Mick, gentlemen ... 🙂

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      1. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Makes sence!

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        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          Unlike your spelling ... 😉

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    3. Evs
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      The prosecution rests. . .

      😉

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    4. BONZ
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Irish fans are great.......they were singing Feck of Roy Keane, we'll sing when we want.

      McCarthy is biased but what do you expect from a Yorkshire man?

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      1. Evs
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Keane was to about McCarthy thought bonZ?

        No wonder he would rather walk the dog then play for that tw4t !!!!

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        1. BONZ
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          Keane has urinated over his chips it seems with Irish fans - altho he could be touting himself to take over EIRE when trap is taken into EMI care!

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

        A cup of tea and some cheap broadband.

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

    I miss when iniesta was bald, he was much easier to identify then

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    1. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      isn't luminous when shined on by UV light enough?

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  7. isacki: full casual
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Croatia have done very well so far to be honest.

    Jinxed hehe...

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  8. RÏɠBY
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    why when b/w tv's hardly exist and spain are playing a team from a far looks to be wearing pink
    are spain forced to wear a blue shirt?

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

    Italy will NOT win this game, believe me!!

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    1. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      cool 8)

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    2. Mr Sarcastic
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      looking very bad atm, but 70 mins to go...

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    3. slappybag
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Wouldn't be surprised if it was 0-0

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  10. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    I'm Mandy, sky me....

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  11. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    That is a free kick

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  12. RÏɠBY
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    get up you prickus.. this is why my friends don't take football seriously

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  13. Mílanista
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    What a stupid booking to pick up.

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  14. BONZ
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Mexes look alike with a proper rugby tackle - but fecked that up as well. LOL

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  15. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    why would croatia want to take a corner when their striker is off getting treatment?

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

      because they're bored of the play acting as well 😉

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  16. Mr Sarcastic
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Motta => Nocerino, we need some spirit in there!!!
    Italy lack passion right now, first 3 * 45 mins looked so good......

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    1. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      +billions

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  17. UKG
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Why does this bbc moron commentator keep calling silva David Villa?!

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    1. BONZ
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      an absolute remedial. Lineker should play hell as it spoils the BBC when aholes feck up as much as ShiteTV

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  18. Mull
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Stop calling him David Villa.

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    1. ludi
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      +1

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  19. GunsnRoses
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Handball ? Who is on spot kick for Italy BTW ?

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  20. isacki: full casual
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    That's right Ireland.... start defending properly in your final game ...

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    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      ....then again!

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  21. JedJez
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    +Villa

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

    Clearly ONSIDE !!! Shut up McCarthy!!

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  23. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Italy is the only team in this competition who has not won a game in 2012

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  24. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Iniesta score y owe me !!!!!!!

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  25. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Di Natale almost

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    1. FPL Daniel
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Cassanooo

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  26. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Credit for the Italian not to go for the pen

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  27. Cell_Omega
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    That was penalty on Mandjukic.

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  28. GunsnRoses
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Corner given by Given 😐

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  29. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Mmm ... Drumsticks roasting in garlic, wine and thyme ...

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    1. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      mmm

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  30. GunsnRoses
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    And it was goal. Who is getting the assist ?

    Cassano scored. I guess Pirlo assist

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