634x258 Dugout Discussion
25 June 2014 3486 comments
Paul Paul
Share:

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.

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

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

    bye messi 😀

    Open Controls
  2. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Messi off

    Open Controls
  3. crystalpalaceRus
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Messi off 😮

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

    Messi (c) fail

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

      #IfNeymar

      Open Controls
  5. Louis
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Messi off just after 60th minute. Well deserved rest! Brilliant player!

    Open Controls
  6. Fifa las vegas
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Yes, Messi off! 😀

    Open Controls
    1. SuperDunny - Used to be goo…
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Damn

      Open Controls
  7. Optimus.
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Rojo on penos now

    Open Controls
  8. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    WHATTTTTTT

    Open Controls
  9. SW6
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    Messi subbed, perfect score from him. Can't be getting more than Neymar

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

      didn't get the extra point for playing 63+ minutes?

      Open Controls
      1. Billy Gilmore
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah, he's got 3 playing points.

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

    Wise decision.

    Open Controls
  11. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    lol @ Messi owners.

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

      You mean the ones that (c) him

      Open Controls
  12. A Defender's Nightmare
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    What a player Mussi is! Not many players have scored 4 goals in a WC match!

    Open Controls
  13. Shels
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    di maria now

    Open Controls
  14. Vote Joke
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 5 months ago

    That ball was hit so hard it broke his arm. Mental.

    Open Controls
  15. JT's Dog
      11 years, 5 months ago

      That's one broken wrist

      Open Controls
    • The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      I'm sure his arm bent in the middle of his forearm 😯

      Open Controls
      1. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        He only got hit by a ball, right?

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

          Yeah, wasn't even that hard 😕

          Open Controls
          1. Billy Gilmore
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Hit him right on the end of the arm though. No way to absorb the impact.

            Open Controls
      2. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        *pukes in mouth

        What happened to who?

        Open Controls
    • iCon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Assist gone from Lavezzi now - presume to Garay?

      Open Controls
    • VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      hope he has a decent wife or he's left handed

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

        😀

        Open Controls
    • tm245
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Ugh. That is awful.

      Open Controls
    • Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Today's been amazing.

      Rojo, Messi, Montazeri, Pjanic. Iran are going to feel Bosnia's wrath!

      Open Controls
      1. Beautiful Game
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Wat monti do?

        Open Controls
    • Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 months ago

      Weak bones.

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

        Did the ref give the handball?

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

      Looking strongly like 5-3-2 or 4-3-3 for me with all these Frenchies missing for me 🙁

      Open Controls
    • JT's Dog
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Damn hope I can still get access to that money he was transferring me

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

          Just wait for the email.

          Open Controls
      • Saniul
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Who else has Messi, Pjanic and Rojo?
        Except me and Berbilly, that is. 😉

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

          Pjanic did what ? How many points ?

          Open Controls
          1. thermogimp
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            Assist and goal. On 13 points right now.

            Open Controls
        2. thermogimp
          • 11 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          I do. 🙂

          Open Controls
      • Louis
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Messi hasn't got the bonus for on goal attempts. I'm sure it is above 80%. He only missed one shot!

        Open Controls
        1. Billy Gilmore
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          He got 3/4 on target, it said when he was subbed.

          Open Controls
          1. Louis
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            75%... so close
            He should have scored it when Rojo crossed it in !

            Open Controls
      • Heydudes13
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        HIGUAIN WAKE UP.

        Open Controls
        1. SW6
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          He's still on the pitch? 😯

          Open Controls
        2. tm245
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Shhhh. He's sleeping.

          Open Controls
      • A Defender's Nightmare
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Neymar (C), Messi, J.Rod, Cuadrado, Rojo & Pjanic. 😎

        Open Controls
        1. LewanGOALski
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          😯

          Open Controls
        2. GunsnRoses
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Alba in for Pjanic for me 🙁

          Open Controls
      • Bubz
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 months ago

        Di Maria biggest flop of the world cup in fantasy terms.

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

          Higuain

          Open Controls
        2. SW6
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Looks that way, glad I dodged that one.

          Open Controls
        3. Hamstergod
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          you forgot Lukaku

          Open Controls
          1. LewanGOALski
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 5 months ago

            him, exactly. What a terrible pick he was for me :O

            Open Controls
        4. Heydudes13
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          Always looks so dangerous though.

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

            Defo Lukaku (I have both!)

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

          Higuain and Lukaku for me.

          I have ADM too... 😎

          Open Controls
        6. VougieDipond
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 months ago

          almost forgot about super Ozil I have him as well

          Open Controls