634x258 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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  1. tm245
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Suarez close!

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  2. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 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
      11 years, 6 months ago

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

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    2. Oflow
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 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
        11 years, 6 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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  3. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Dive 🙄

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  4. r0nh
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    See ya later Lampard

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    1. Louis
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      No Wilshere going off.

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

    Ok I'll say it.

    This Italy squads is one of the worst I've ever seen!

    Cassano on. Meh!

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    1. crystalpalaceRus
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      I said before the italy game that they dont look that good i was surprised we managed to lose

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    2. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Still considerably better than ours.

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    3. tm245
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Seems to be no imagination in their play beyond Pirlo.

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      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        Exactly

        Solid defence
        Pirlo
        Marchisio is ok
        Balotelli if he can be arsed

        Then meh!

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  6. tm245
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    And I will say that watching Italy protect a draw could be the most unenjoyable thing in any sport.

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  7. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    England's group was tagged the group of death when in reality it is the group of deadwood. Who ever goes through ain't going much further

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  8. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Gerard on for Wilshere....

    While Milner and Lanpard are still on?

    You boring bloody womble!

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    1. Debauchy
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Sooooo Dull

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

    Gerrard and Lampard. Progress

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  10. Louis
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Milner off / Rooney on

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  11. r0nh
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    No Rickie 🙁

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    1. SW6
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      🙁

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  12. LOCO ABREU
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    ffs tabarez get forlan on, time is running!

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    1. VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      all subs used?

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      1. LOCO ABREU
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        now yes

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  13. RÏɠBY
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    wooney?! where the hell is lambert?

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  14. tm245
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Come on Suarez! Take hold of this match.

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    1. tm245
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Not what I meant.

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  15. LOCO ABREU
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    gasto for cebolla?wtf

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  16. crystalpalaceRus
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Moeen Ali 100

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  17. Essan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Century of Moeen! 😀

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    1. Essan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      for ......

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  18. Sheep
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Sexy shot from Rooney

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  19. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Suarez should be off

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

      did he just headbutt him?

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  20. tm245
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Not again???

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  21. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Did Suarez just bite him? 😯

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    1. Shels
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      na head butt

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      1. Shels
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 6 months ago

        or maybe a bite haha wtf

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    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Definitely omg!!!

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  22. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Suarez!!! Not again!

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  23. Shels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    oo 2 red cards shuda been

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  24. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    The biter is back my god what an idiot

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  25. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    This Group is a really poor one isn't it?

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    1. RÏɠBY
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      it's the lobotomy group

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  26. yash
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Suarez bites again 🙂

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  27. SW6
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Suarez bites again!

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  28. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Oh my god Suarez

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  29. jpdyolf
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Well played Moeen for a ton up

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  30. Gnu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 6 months ago

    Oi, Nibbles... behave ya idiot.

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    1. CopperPot82
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 6 months ago

      Suarez wants Chiellini with a nice Chianti .....

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