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. Les Bleus
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Suarez knew he couldn't be suspended from video reply

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  2. Jack Frost
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    That's a BITE, photos after the game. Suarez.

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  3. Funkyav
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Suarez has to be banned for a long time for that one... DISGUSTING

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  4. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Suarez bites back 😀 😀

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    1. Funkyav
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Is there a more disgusting player in world football.

      Should be banned for life. 3 times now.

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  5. Twelve years a slave
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Suarez you idiot. Ban coming up , maybe Liverpool will keep him after all

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

      They can't ban him from Club football

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

    Expected. 🙁

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

      Oh well £54 banked

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  7. Billy Gilmore
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Godin with another HUGE goal.

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  8. Blue Lion
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Did Suarez just bite again????

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    1. VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      looks like it bare minimum it was a headbutt but from chellini's reaction I think he has

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    2. Holy See
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Nibble.

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  9. VougieDipond
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    you just knew Godin was going to score

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  10. tm245
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Game on.

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  11. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Godin goal

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  12. GunsnRoses
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Goddinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

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  13. SW6
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Eurgh

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  14. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Just switched channel what timing 🙂

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  15. Shels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    yessssssssssssssssssssssssssss godin again

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

    Good. Thats what you get for not beating Costa.

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  17. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Godin !!!!!!

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  18. LOCO ABREU
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Goal!!!!!!!Next round Uruguay!

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  19. Shels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    back goal hahaa

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  20. Arvin-ation
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Stupid decision to bring Suarez in over Benzema. Simple fixture decision.

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

    Godin off his back

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  22. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Get Uruguay

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    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      * in 😳

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  23. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Suarez is a total psycho, gonna get banned for that.......

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Will Liverpool finally get rid now?

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    2. Funkyav
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      hope so. for a long long time

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    3. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Na, just a love bite.

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  24. MJ6987
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Retrospective ban for Suarez?

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    1. Funkyav
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      should be if Fifa know what they are doing

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    2. Fresco
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      it's high time to ban him for life.. miserable creature

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

      Should be, but this is South America so no chance

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  25. Fresco
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Colombia is gonna kill these jokers in the last 16.

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    1. Pork Pie Sausage Roll
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Not sure about that. Colombia have not had a challenge yet; laughably easy group

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      1. Fresco
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        still better than Italy, England and Costa Rica 😆

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

    Better to go out now than to watch this shite again!

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  27. tm245
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Pretty sure it was just a kiss.

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

    Suarez on biting Chiellini

    "I have been disrespected by the English media"

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  29. Shels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    if suarez gets banned by fifa for ages maybe pool can't sell him

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