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

    Pirlo, stop losing the ball in your own half FFS! I've seen Milan concede enough goals over the years thanks to you doing this.

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

      and when pirlo score a free kick:

      Pirlo, you legend!!! class is permanent!! etc etc

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

        No, he's a **** that spent years walking around the pitch earning mega money and then decided to start trying again when he moved to Juve.

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

    Iniesta has been an awful investment so far 🙁

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

      Yep, most frustrating player for me.

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

      +1

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

      With lack of penetration who is he going to assist?

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

        Good point

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

      Assist at last......great abuse Declan it really motivated him.

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

    looks like italy don't want to win this 🙁

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

    IF Italy top the group, wouldn't England prefer to come 2nd

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

      Yes

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

      ukraine might have something to say for that too

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

    Right, who to captain tomorrow??

    A) Gerrard
    B) Cabaye
    C) Debuchy

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

      A Cole

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

      Gellard

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

      gerrerd

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

    If you need me, I'll be behind the sofa!!

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

    how did he miss?

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

      ah, busquets tried to swap shirts before fulltime

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

    look at that pathetic 6th official with his wand

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

    That's a pen!

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

      Yeah, stonewall pen and Spain go and score, BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

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

    Iniestaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

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

    Iniesta assist 🙂

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

      Navas

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

    Navasssssssssssssssss

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

    NAVAS GOAL....INIESTA ASSIST

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

    Navas goal, Iniesta assist(finally).

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

    Iniesta assist

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

    Joke.

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

    double offside?

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

      No

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

      nah, fair goal

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

      No, both just onside.

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

    Thank you and good night.

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

    Iniesta assist.

    YAY

    Spain top the group now FFS.

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  20. A2U
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    niiice

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

    Cox on for Keane , C'mon

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

    And there is the slow acting poison finally kicking in!

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

    That Iniesta is some player 😀

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

    finally Iniesta !!!

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

    1-1 looming for spain croatia now.....?

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

    If Ireland score who goes through?

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

    He scabbed it!

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

    Alba also reached 5rbs 😀

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

      By my count he should be closer to 10.

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

      Nananananana.

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

    Croatia still only need 1 goal, mind...

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

      Yeah, that goal didn't change anything, 1-1 puts Italy out.

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

    corluka should have had a pen, just like bendtner should have last night

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