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. Crazy Joe
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Here comes Cesc!

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  2. HVT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    I can see Eire scoring !!!

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

      So can I, Italy need another.

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  3. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Fab coming on

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

    Fab scores and this is a dream gameweek for me...

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  5. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Silva off

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

    Silva off for Fabregas

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  7. Chazza
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Italy finishing top would be great for England's chances.

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    1. r0nh
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Why?

      Italy would beat England too.

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      1. The Milkman
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        not to mention Ukraine. 😉

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      2. Chazza
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        England have a better chance of beating Italy than Spain so I should have said "better for their chances" I suppose, nevertheless I think England would beat Italy.

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

      italy are hardened tournament competitors and england have been sh!t for 40 years. why do we never learn?

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

        Okay, so let's all give up? And history is irrelevant.

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

          yes. i can honestly say the supporters should give up, because we won't beat italy or spain!

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

    Somebody sack McCarthy ffs!!!!

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

      this is it! a sacked mccarthy

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

    Buffoon yellow

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

      Good good. Now concede please 🙂

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

        -1

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

          He is indeed, unlucky

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

    I so hope one of the 3 score now and the other two shit themselves.

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

    Bali on for Di Natale

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

    modric being awesome

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

    Come on Croatia, hold on, or score in the 95th minute!!!

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

      How holding on helps ?

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  14. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Just 1 more rb please Alba

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    1. Spike ⚽️
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Clutching at straws JK. That's not like you 😉

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      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        I will be back next week 😉

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

    Which is likelier:

    Eire goal
    Croatia goal

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

      Ireland 6/1
      Croatia 9/1

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

        crazy odds, cro look way closer

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

          Agreed.

          source BET365

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

        That's good odds on Croatia!

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    2. Sleep Talk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Would have to say Ireland, have really stepped up their game the last few minutes. Andrews could easily have scored on this free kick just now.

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  16. Demel
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Mark Bright now giving tactical advice to a World Cup winning manager! He has to be the worst commentator!

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    1. Derailed Bandwagon
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Andy Townsend wins that award every time.

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  17. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Casillas saves again

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

    How good would it be for Croatia to score now

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  19. Manani
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    cassano, stick or twist?

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

      twist

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

      Have Benz ? Then twist

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

    Spain are like a like Pele well his erectile dysfunction - lack any penetration!

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

    Srna heroics

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

    Just put it in the net!

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  23. RoysCallerAnne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    If the clean sheets stay the same..I think Impressive Tackle will be top of the BUG league

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  24. GlasgowFF
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Can you please get out of second gear Spain I have you in my office sweep!

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

    Croatia amazing defending there!

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  26. crystalpalaceRus
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    eduardo goal i can see it

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

    3 strikers for croatia

    amazing stuff

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

      Indeed

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  28. Nopli
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    If it stays like this Italy will top the group... WOW

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  29. Parm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    How many times does he want to say 'It all goes down to a little Mini-League'.

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

      There again....

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

      he sed it again 9.26 LOL

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

    Croatia really going for it with 3 strikers on for the last 10mins. Spain have been lucky not to conceed & still not really able to test PettyCoat in goal.

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