634x258 Dugout Discussion
25 June 2014 3486 comments
Paul Paul
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Groups E and F come to their conclusions this evening as the Brazil 2014 World Cup treats us to four more fixtures. Argentina are already through, after winning both their opening matches courtesy of late Lionel Messi strikes, and the South Americans square up to a Nigeria side who require just a draw to join them in the last 16:

Argentina: Romero; Zabaleta, Garay, Fernandez, Rojo; Gago, Mascherano, Di Maria; Messi, Higuain, Aguero

Nigeria: Enyeama; Ambrose, Omeruo Yobo, Oshaniwa; Mikel, Onazi; Odemwingie, Babatunde, Musa; Emenike,

Alejandro Sabella names an unchanged XI from the side that edged past Iran last time around. Despite the fact that his side have clinched a place in the last 16, the Argentina boss has resisted the urge to rest and rotate and is clearly affording his first-choice players the chance to step up in performance, after a pair of very unconvincing showings thus far. Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero once again lead the line, then, with Angel Di Maria owners looking for the Real Madrid man to improve his contribution from the centre of the park.

Nigeria – along with Mexico – were one of only two sides to register a clean sheet in both the opening Matchdays. It’s no real surprise, then, to see the Africans remain unchanged, with Peter Odemwingie hoping to replicate his winner against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the previous match as Stephen Keshi’s side attempt to pick up the point which would ensure their progress.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Begovic; Vrsajevic, Sunjic, Spahic, Kolasinac; Hadzic, Besic, Susic, Pjanic; Ibisevic, Dzeko

Iran: Haghighi; Montarezi, Hosseini, Sadeghi, Pooladi; Nekounam, Teymourian; Shojaei, Hajsafi, Dejagah; Ghoochannejad

Bosnia make five changes in their final game of the tournament. In defence, full-backs Avdija Vrsajevic and Sead Kolasinac come in for Mensur Mujdza and SenadLulic, whilst further up the field, Zvjedan Misimovic, Izet Hajrovic and Haris Medunjanin drop out for Anel Hadzic, Tino-Sven Susic and Vedad Ibisevic. Manager Safet Susic looks to have returned to the 4-1-3-2 formation that served his side so well in qualifying, with Ibisevic up front alongside Edin Dzeko.

Iran, meanwhile, are unchanged for the showdown as Carlos Quieroz’ side attempt to overcome the odds and make it through to the knockouts. As the only team in the tournament yet to score a goal, though, they face a tough task to get the better of the Bosnians.

In the later matches, Karim Benzema owners will be desperate for the France striker to continue the form which has harvested three goals and a trio of assists in the opening couple of Matchdays. With his side already through, though, Didier Deschamps certainly has the option of resting key players, with the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba hoping to return to the starting XI after both were dropped for last week’s 5-2 win over Switzerland. Opponents Ecuador have an in-form frontman of their own as they look for the result that would steer them through – Enner Valencia has also notched three times in the first two games and has netted in six of his last seven international appearances.

Switzerland also have plenty to play for. A win over Honduras, coupled with at least a draw for the French, would seal the progress of Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side as they look to bounce back from their mauling at the hands of Les Bleus, though the Swiss boss has decisions to make up front, after alternating Josip Drmic and Haris Seferovic as the lone forward over the first two games. Fantasy managers will be hoping raiding left-back Ricardo Rodriguez can replicate his pair of assists in Matchday 1, whilst Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka offer the main threat in the attacking midfield three.

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

    Pjanic assist on FiT

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

      Go Tina! 🙂

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  2. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    I just knew dzeko would score when they have nothing to play for. Backed him in the last game and was robbed. I said last night he'd probably score this time, but hesitated! FFS!

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    1. King Nil Miss ✩
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      "hesitated" is the keyword there.

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  3. Demelbrush
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Didn't di M hit the post then messi scored? (not watching). doesnt that count as an assist as far as fox rules state?

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

      not sure but the keeper saved it then it hit the post, then off keeper and post again to messi -_-

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

      Lose Di Maria at your peril next round

      I'm keeping

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

    pjanic assist for dzeko

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

    Not able for watching two matches at once.

    How the hell do I manage when the PL is on 😯

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  6. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    dzecko you broke my heart

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  7. #WinterIsNotComing
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    come on .. give di maria a assist

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

      no chance, hit keeper, hit post, hit keeper hit post

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

    ouff di maria

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

    Is the France line up out?

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

      demi posted one earlier but officially not out for a while

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  10. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Di Maria looking good.

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

      In my last 16 side

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  11. LewanGOALski
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    C'mon ADM, gimme something!

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

      Di Maria to Messi please

      or vice versa

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

    Keep your bloody eyes open, Rojo. That's twice in 2 games now! 😡

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

      i understand. see below.

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

    Rojo is there and thereabout when there is a cross. I sense a goal for him somewhere down the line 🙂

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    1. King Nil Miss ✩
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      He does score a few.

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

    C'mon Messi score another to keep my TGS bet looking good!

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

    Why the heck does Rojo close his eyes while heading the ball??

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  16. King Nil Miss ✩
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Montazeri on 5 😎

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

      CS are overrated.

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

        Whenever I see this name I read it as Montmorency of the "three men in a boat"

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    2. LewanGOALski
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Srsly? Love it! 😀

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    3. Zombie
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Yessss....Also Rojo on 4 & Messi on 9 😎

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  17. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Does Di Maria not get the assist in McD game?

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    1. meerlight
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      not a chance. it hit the post bounced off the keeper, back onto the post before messi got the shot away

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

        Got many playing today?

        Us English are taking a beating 🙁

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

      he won't

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  18. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Will be backing Benzema anytime if/when he starts!

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    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Glory time for French. Needs to get the goals while they are coming easy for the Golden Boot.

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      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Agree

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  19. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    In real life, would you rather be bitten by Suarez or have your leg broken by Marchisio?
    So the guy has a biting fetish.

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    1. King Nil Miss ✩
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      God gave him those teeth, he feels the need to use them...

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    2. Zombie
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Marchisio broke a leg 😯 ? Thank god I wasn't playing

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      1. Freshy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Ill take a chance with teeth marks than the Italian going studs up into my knee.

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        1. Mr Sarcastic
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          lol, that was very harsh red

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

      Depends upon whether Suarez has taken his shots from the vet.

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    4. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Suarez's party trick:

      He can eat an apple through a letterbox.

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

    Aguero is so injury prone

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  21. Zombie
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Rojo on 5 points

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

      Hes unstoppable

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

    Aguero hamstring!!! 😯

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

    Aguero's cheesestrings have gone again.

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  24. Beavis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Aguero injured. Shock. Lavezzi on.

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  25. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Haha are you kidding me Aguero

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  26. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Aguero injured....who'd have thought it.

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  27. Louis
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Who predicted 36 minutes until Aguero injury?

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  28. Mr Sarcastic
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Lol. I can go and cash my Aguero injury bet out now

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

    Aguero injured again

    FML, not sure I can be bothered with him next season. Wasted so many transfers on him

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  30. shillso
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Aguero and his glass legs.

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