[sbu_large_image] Dugout Discussion
24 June 2014 3134 comments
Paul Paul
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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.

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3,134 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Billy Gilmore
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Balotelli off

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      how rude

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      1. Woy of the Wovers
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Vewy wude

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  2. tm245
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Finally, I get to switch out Balotelli.

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    1. Debauchy
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Mmm

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  3. LOCO ABREU
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    big fat zero for balotelli

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    1. Debauchy
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      You expect more ? Italy bro

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      1. LOCO ABREU
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        no,expect uruguay to win.

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        1. Debauchy
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          hoping

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  4. Woy of the Wovers
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    This 2-2 result isn't happening, is it?

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  5. A Defender's Nightmare
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Alba got 16 Points!?! He didn't even assist ffs & got same points as Neymar! Had that many RBs?

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  6. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    It's like Lukaku is up front for us...

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    1. THE Wild Rover
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Not really, he got a touch in the box 😉

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  7. LOCO ABREU
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    uruguay move to 3-5-2?

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  8. JT's Dog
    12 years, 2 months ago

    do mcd leagues update with in game points or only at end of games

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    1. Holmes
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      After game

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    2. CopperPot82
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      updated every hour

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  9. THE Wild Rover
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Barkley booked

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  10. THE Wild Rover
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Barkley booked and will now miss the knock-out stage. Keep an eye on him

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    1. Louis
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Lallana just got one too. Really wanted him for the knock-out stage 😉

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  11. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Why don't England play Rooney as the main striker?

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    1. SW6
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Sturridge is apparently unbenchable

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      1. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Why? Rooney is obviously a better player, especially in the "No.9" position.

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        1. SW6
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 2 months ago

          It's this thing many have commented on. We seem obsessed with playing our best 11 players, not our best team.

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    2. GTS
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Dunno why but that is his best and only position.

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    3. CABAYE4
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Sturridge is better.

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      1. MJ6987
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        Not if both are played in the 9 position surely?

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    4. Louis
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Would that mean playing with no striker?
      I mean Rooney is a good player, there is no doubt about that but whenever I see him play he is running everywhere, moves to the wing, defends. I think England need a man up top who does not move and brings defenders towards him. Also Rooney tends to play better with another striker giving him more space.

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        This.

        If we are not willing to play two up top then we cannot play Rooney. Simple as.

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  12. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Player scores now displayed on transfer page of McShite

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  13. Billy Gilmore
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Massive chance that for Uruguay.

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  14. Billy Gilmore
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Marchisio red

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  15. Lord Dragon
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    What was that red for??

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    1. Lord Dragon
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Never mind

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    2. Billy Gilmore
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Sticking his studs into the side of his leg.

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  16. Debauchy
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Cmon Uruguay !!!

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  17. tm245
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Idiocy on the pitch while Buddhatelli watches serenely from the sideline...

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  18. jpdyolf
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Cricket more interesting - says it all

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    1. THE Wild Rover
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Anderson will never last 11 overs

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      1. jpdyolf
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        be good to see Moeen get a ton tho

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  19. LOCO ABREU
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Get Forlan on!

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  20. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Seemed like a harsh red

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      In what way?

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      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        missed what he did the first time around, thought he just ran into him

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    2. VougieDipond
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      dangerous high, reckless. its asking to be sent off

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    3. SW6
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Looked fair to me

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    4. tm245
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Right in front of the ref as well.

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  21. VougieDipond
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Come on Cavani. That was a shocker from Marchisio

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  22. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Joke decision!

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    1. THE Wild Rover
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      Unbiased opinion

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  23. THE Wild Rover
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    I reckon you'd have got good odds on both Italy and England going out

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    1. VougieDipond
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      1100/1 on Costa Rica to win all 3 games

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      1. THE Wild Rover
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        They won't 😉

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  24. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Great ball from Wilshere! 😀

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  25. Sheep
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Italy and Uruguay lost to this team?!

    If it wasn't for a biased ref England would be walking it.

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  26. Billy Gilmore
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    What a save, Buffon!

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      De Gea's was better 😉

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  27. tm245
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Suarez close!

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  28. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Just because your studs catch someone doesn't make it a red!

    So many other factors

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    1. SW6
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      He was nowhere near the ball, makes it look intentional even if it wasn't.

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    2. Oflow
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      When the ball is on the group and you catch him just below the knee it does.

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      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 2 months ago

        But if you put your foot up to get the ball, then someone puts there leg there first you will catch them

        It's not like he went flying in with studs in the air

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  29. THE Wild Rover
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    Dive 🙄

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  30. r0nh
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 2 months ago

    See ya later Lampard

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    1. Louis
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 2 months ago

      No Wilshere going off.

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