634x258 Dugout Discussion
24 June 2014 3134 comments
Paul Paul
Share:

We’ve another four matches to look forward to this evening as the group stages continue to wrap up. England, of course, already know their fate after losing both opening matches, whilst tonight’s opponents Costa Rica are through to the knockouts after serving up back-to-back wins over Uruguay and Italy to stun the football world:

Costa Rica: Navas; Gamboa, Duarte, Gonzalez, Miller, Diaz; Ruiz, Borges, Tejeda, Brenes; Campbell

England: Foster; Jones, Cahill, Smalling, Shaw; Lampard, Wilshere; Milner, Barkley Lallana; Sturridge

The Costa Ricans make two changes from the side that defeated Italy last week. At the back, Jorge Luis Pinto brings in Roy Miller for Michael Umana, whilst further up the pitch, Christian Bolanos drops out for Randall Brenes in what looks a continuation of the 5-4-1 formation which has proven so successful.

As announced yesterday, Roy Hodgson makes nine changes from the team that lost to Uruguay as England attempt to avoid the ignominy of finishing rock-bottom of Group D. Only Daniel Sturridge and Gary Cahill keep their places for the Three Lions as Hodgson hands his squad members the chance to impress.

Uruguay: Muslera; Caceres, Gimenez, Godin, Pereira; Rodriguez, Arevalo Rios, Gonzalez; Lodeiro; Suarez,Cavani,

Italy: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; De Sciglio, Pirlo, Verratti, Marchisio, Darmian; Balotelli, Immobile

Uruguay are unchanged from the side that beat England 2-1 last week. Oscar Tabarez’ side will line up in a 4-3-1-2 formation once again, with Nicolas Lodeiro tucked in behind Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, as the latter looks to replicate his match-winning brace against Hodgson’s side and fire his team into the last 16.

Cesare Prandelli’s side need only a draw against the South Americans to secure second spot. The Italians make four changes from their Matchday two loss to Costa Rica and bring in Mattia De Sciglio, Leonardo Bonucci, Marco Verratti and Ciro Immobile in what seems to be a 3-5-2 formation, with the latter partnering Mario Balotelli up top.

In the 9pm matches, Columbia look to finish Group C with a 100% record. The South Americans will be hoping James Rodriguez can maintain the form that has seen him score in each of his first two appearances, while Juan Cuadrado (three assists) and Teofilo Gutierrez (a goal and assist) also carry a major threat against Japan – Fantasy managers will be hoping that reports of rest and rotation turn out to be inaccurate.

The other game in Group C sees Ivory Coast square up to a Greece side that failed to find the net in their opening two matches. While a draw may well be enough for the Africans to progress, Sabri Lamouchi’s men will want to serve up a strong display after narrowly losing to the Colombians in Matchday 2 – Gervinho has notched in both their games so far and is the one guaranteed starter in the front three, though Lamouchi could turn to the experience of Didier Drogba to lead the line this time, having utilised the former Chelsea man as a sub in the first couple of matches.

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

  1. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    No way 😯 🙁

    Open Controls
  2. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    I am seeing plenty of Liverpool fans (not on here obviously) rejoicing as they reckon any ban Suarez gets will be just be for international games, thus meaning he'll be fresher for Liverpool games.

    Open Controls
    1. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Links?

      Open Controls
  3. Essan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Unlucky Jimmy - but well done Ceylon

    Open Controls
  4. Djerbil
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    http://i.imgur.com/RImZHxL.jpg

    With this pic u can measure even the size of His Teeth

    Open Controls
    1. Twelve years a slave
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      They dont look human

      Open Controls
      1. Billy Gilmore
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        They don't. Can't think of any conceivable way that a bite mark could be shaped like that from where he bit him from.

        Open Controls
        1. Twelve years a slave
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Whats that mark underneath the other marks ?

          Open Controls
        2. shillso
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Have you not seen the shape of his teeth!

          Open Controls
        3. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          The two bigger ones are top cannines, the other three front bottom. That's exactly how he bit him

          Open Controls
  5. Jack Frost
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    What's odds he's out of the WC.. 100%?

    Open Controls
    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      He is out. Watching him at the end of the game, he knows.

      Open Controls
    2. RÏɠBY
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      pretty much

      there was a cricketer recently banned from playing ANY pro sport for the rest of his life.. FIFA have way more clout than ICC so it could be interesting what they do to him

      Open Controls
  6. tw
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Stick with 8pts or twist to Karnezis?

    Open Controls
    1. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Those Greeks know how to put on a defensive display. Switch imo

      Open Controls
  7. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    It's Chiellini's fault. What was he doing putting his shoulder there?

    Open Controls
    1. Somalion
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      "Don't feed the dog"

      Open Controls
    2. RÏɠBY
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      and making it look sooo tasty too.. what a tease 😉

      Open Controls
  8. Twelve years a slave
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Seriously Suarez should go to the dentist and have all his teeth out.
    Then take his falsies out before a match

    Open Controls
  9. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    To be fair to him, the game did need a bit of bite in it

    Open Controls
  10. Sheep
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Suarez(C)

    Shall I bite the bullet and switch captaincy? I'm annoyed as he's taken quite a big chunk out of my budget to acquire and has served up very little.

    Plenty to chew on atm.

    Open Controls
    1. Baa
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      That was baaad daaad

      Open Controls
    2. MAS
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      🙂

      Open Controls
  11. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Leaving the bite aside

    a) Arevelo waving an imaginary card before the red

    b) Gaston trying to cover up Chiellini's shoulder

    I despise Uruguay

    Open Controls
  12. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Sepp blatter should remove suarez teeth on live tv

    Open Controls
    1. Jafooli
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      😆

      Open Controls
    2. Henry Hill
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Suarez should bite Blatter live on tv first.

      Open Controls
      1. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        😆

        Open Controls
  13. Captain Shirokov
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone watch the series Hannibal?

    Suarez seems to have taken it a little too serious.

    Open Controls
    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      At least Hannibal cooks them first.

      Open Controls
  14. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Any history of zombies in Uruguay? 🙄

    Open Controls
    1. Licky
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Suarez is patient zero for the necroa virus!

      Open Controls
      1. pundit of punts
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        😯

        Open Controls
  15. JT's Dog
      11 years, 6 months ago

      England game so pointless nobody even bothered to put their names on scoring spreadsheet

      Open Controls
    • Somalion
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Sigh so now we have weeks of Suarez talk. So disappointed, thought he was making progress.

      Open Controls
      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Why did you think that? 😕

        Open Controls
        1. Somalion
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Hadn't bit anyone in a season 😉

          I hate seeing talent wasted.

          Open Controls
      2. JT's Dog
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Japan manager falling on his sword will take the headlines

          Open Controls
          1. Somalion
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Worth a watch 😉

            Open Controls
        • Funkyav
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Shouldnt be allowed to play again in the premier league.

          If FIFA wont take a stand then Premier League should.

          Millions of kids around the world watching every week. He is a disgrace to the game.

          Open Controls
          1. Somalion
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            I agree of course, why I'm disappointed though. Such talent being wasted here.

            Open Controls
          2. Licky
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Liverpool would have something to say about that, they'd get nothing for him and have to sell, it would effect the club immensely and don't say they deserve that.

            Open Controls
        • Licky
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          I did too, the first few incidents were difficult but there was some sense that he was troubled, now Liverpool are stuck with a player who isn't just volatile, but who the media really, really hate. His actions reflect badly on the club, something Liverpool don't need.

          Open Controls
          1. Somalion
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            Exactly, very poor reflection on the club and terrible to see. More and more growing into a mix of saviour and liability, may not be worth it for much longer I think!

            Open Controls
            1. Licky
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 6 months ago

              I'd take a large sum of money and Sanchez. At this point it will be difficult to retain him while he's this problematic.

              Open Controls
              1. Somalion
                • 15 Years
                11 years, 6 months ago

                Problem is this will damage the sell on value significantly I reckon. Proven liability now.

                Open Controls
        • Henry Hill
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Banning him for 6/7 matches clearly doesn't work on him, up it to say 20 with 50 if he does it again, or whatever it takes for him to get it to stop.

          Open Controls
          1. Somalion
            • 15 Years
            11 years, 6 months ago

            I agree with you most likely deserves a near full season ban if they decide he bit him. Just such a damn shame, not as if he's one of these crap players. So it's a shame.

            Open Controls
      3. Lawrø
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        I wonder if Suarez does it to try and instigate transfers, last time he bit someone other was directly before a transfer window and I feel his other one may have been under similar circumstances...

        Open Controls
      4. tm245
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        This has been a great tournament but that was one of the most negative matches in almost every respect. Would have loved to see the other two move on.

        Open Controls
      5. McEwan
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        So the third time this has happened. 7 game ban then 10 game ban. 13 game next?

        Open Controls
        1. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Wasn't club football though.

          Open Controls
        2. Bedknobs and Boomsticks
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Yes, the Italian fellow was just the third course.

          Lets hope he gets his just deserts.

          Rim shot.

          Open Controls
      6. GREENDREAMS11
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        I've just e-mailed ITV to see if they can make arrangements to send Adrian Chiles back from Brazil now that Croatia are out.

        Open Controls
      7. Sheep
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        *Waits for a Paddy Power gag*

        Open Controls
        1. Somalion
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Aye saw it on Facebook.

          Open Controls
      8. Captain Shirokov
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Pity about Suarez but there might actually be something wrong with him in the head.

        Open Controls
        1. Sheep
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          It's called being a tw@.

          I don't think it's cuntageous

          Open Controls
        2. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Just a bit.

          Open Controls
        3. Dr Dream
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah, definitely..as in psychiatric. He's in the wrong job.

          Open Controls
      9. The Sarjeant
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Wouldn't mind seeing Chile v Colombia in the quarter-final.

        Open Controls
      10. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Does anyone think FIFA will act with some genuine authority? Their punishments are usually pathetic.
        A little toothless you might say.

        Open Controls
      11. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        I'm considering taking Suarez out of my Fox team...

        Open Controls
      12. McGrubbs
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Surely none of Real / Barca / Bayern will spend 50-80m on Suarez now?

        Liverpool could have him for a couple more seasons, and could mount a strong title challenge this year if Rodgers makes a few canny signings?

        Open Controls
        1. Somalion
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          And we'll just pretend that there'll be no repercussions to this and certainly no future biting... Crossing from being a hero to being an utter liability.

          Open Controls
        2. Fresco
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          a strong title challenge in the championship next season 😆 they will be thrashed after CL matchdays with that squad of 14 players

          Open Controls
      13. GREENDREAMS11
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Could Suarez play for Hungary. ha

        Open Controls
      14. VougieDipond
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Maybe he wants to qualify to play for Eataly

        Open Controls
        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          That is so bad, it's good. 😆

          Open Controls
      15. Jack Frost
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Has Chieillini gotten back from his veterinarian appointment? Results.

        Open Controls
        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 6 months ago

          Did you know that you need to be injected directly into the stomach for rabies?

          Open Controls