Euro 2012

Matchday Three – Day Three – Dugout Discussion

18 June 2012 886 comments
Paul Paul
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It’s the penultimate evening of the group stages already and Group C is still far from decided. While Republic of Ireland have nothing but pride to play for against Italy, Cesare Prandelli’s team need the three points to stand any chance of progressing.

A win for Spain against Croatia in the other game would be beneficial to the Italian cause but, as the previous couple of nights have shown, we should take nothing for granted. Both games kick off at 7.45pm this evening and, as always, our Dugout Discussion is up and running.

The team news is in and is as follows:

For Italy, Cesare Prandelli rings the changes for their must-win match. The 3-5-2 system is out, replaced by a 4-3-1-2, while four players are replaced in the starting XI. Ignazio Abate and Federico Balzaretti are handed starting roles at right and left-back respectively, Daniel De Rossi moves back into midfield, while Andrea Barzagli comes in at centre-half. Thiago Motta plays “in the hole” behind a front two, with Antonio Di Natale partnering Antonio Cassano up top – Mario Balotelli, Christian Maggio, Emanuele Giacherrini and Leonardo Bonucci drop out.

Giovanni Trapattoni makes just a single alteration to his side, with Kevin Doyle returning to partner Robbie Keane up front – this means Simon Cox drops to the bench.

Italy Starting XI: Buffon; Abate, Barzagli, Chiellini, Balzaretti; De Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio; Motta; Cassano, Di Natale

Republic of Ireland XI: Given; O’Shea, St Ledger, Dunne, Ward; McGeady, Andrews, Whelan, Duff; Keane, Doyle

Defending champions Spain keep faith in the side that hammered Republic of Ireland last time out. Fernando Torres continues to lead the line after his double against Trapattoni’s troops last Thursday, leaving Cesc Fabregas to warm the bench.

Slaven Bilic makes a couple of changes to his side. Croatia look for a little more security and roll out what appears to be a 4-5-1 formation; Nikica Jelavic drops out, as does Ivan Perisic, with Danijel Pranjic and Domagoj Vida handed starting roles against the Spanish.

Spain Starting XI: Casillas; Arbeloa, Pique, Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Alonso; Silva, Torres, Iniesta

Croatia Starting XI: Pletikosa; Srna, Corluka, Schildenfeld, Strinic; Pranjic, Rakitic, Vida, Vukojevic, Modric; Mandzukic

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886 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Given's mistake lead to corner and goal.

    Given is not in form. At all. Can't remember having seen him this uncertain.

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    1. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Same, shocking brain fade not to catch that, and he's been at least partially at fault for several goals. Shame given his general excellence up to now.

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    2. Henry Hill
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      He must not be fit, remember he wasn't training at all before the Croatia match. Westwood should have played these matches

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    3. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      The defenders in front of him are not exactly inspiring though, are they?

      When you are playing Champions league quality attackers and half of your defence is Championship players then bad things can only happen really.

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      1. Henry Hill
        • 16 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Is Rob Green joining QPR nomar?

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      2. Gaz Downright
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        As a senior member of the squad and goalie, he is in the best position to inspire his defenders. Not the other way around.

        Anyway, this is more about blatant goalkeeping errors.

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    4. shermanater
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      given is injured and ireland have nobody better than a 50% given. that's why they look sh!t

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  2. leo_messi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    now Croatia have nothing to lose and have to attack..maybe we gonna see better game in the second half...

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    1. Infinite Sheldon
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      They can only attack if they have the ball, which they won't most of the time

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  3. super zlatan
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Evening lads

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    1. 3173
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      evening

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  4. Lucky Luke
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    why no Maggio?

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    1. 3173
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      they play 4 at the back

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  5. Conrad.
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    THANK YOU, Cassano!

    Now I need a goal from my Spainards (preferrably Andres) to top the group...

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  6. super zlatan
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Rooney to score tomrw?

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

      Never mind him, just make sure you do the biz v France

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      1. super zlatan
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Will do. 😉

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  7. Hazard267
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    This is a nightmare match day for me 🙁

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  8. isacki: full casual
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    That was the best defensive performance I've seen against Spain since they won the World Cup. Not so much as one chance. Not going to stay like that of course..

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    1. The Milkman
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Iniesta had a great chance!

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Ah true, slipped my mind because he fluffed it

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    2. Pratik
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Really hoping it doesn't. Too much invested in it fantasy-wise.

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    3. RÏɠBY
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      i thinkso too and the croats being the stubborn b'stards that they are.. i wouldn't be suprised if they nick it

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  9. A2U
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Christ, that Rooney advert is a bit over the top

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    1. Holy See
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Can't knock him down if you don't build him up first.

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  10. GunsnRoses
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Spain & Italy should now concede. Otherwise the #1 guy in my league will have some 10-12 points lead. 😐

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  11. drinkup245
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    boateng supposed to be back for the next german game right?

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    1. 3173
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      yea

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    2. PanTanti
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      should be

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  12. Matt Sk
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Where can I view recovered balls so far for Alba and Strinic pls? Or does someone know how many they got?

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    1. GunsnRoses
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      data view of your team sheet.

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      1. Matt Sk
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks got it

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    2. GunsnRoses
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Alba got 2 RBs

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    3. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Look at data view on your team page

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    4. GunsnRoses
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Strinic just 1.

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    5. RÏɠBY
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      which ever game you'r playing i'm pretty sure there is a link to it
      have a look

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  13. PanTanti
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Spain Croatia second half will be much more open and i expect goals

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    1. super zlatan
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Hope so. Would love to see Croatia take the lead.

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    2. big oak
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      it will be as boring as the first
      and honestly while the barca/spain system is efficient, it is the most boring football iv ever seen
      the only thing entertaining in barca are messi's tricks
      ill switch to the italy game for more entertainement..... oh wait!

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  14. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Definitely a foul on Mandzukic! Ramos did get the ball, but studs up. He got lucky!

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    1. PanTanti
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      yep i thought so too especially in this euro where fouls come easier than PL games

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    2. Mulder
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      I think so.

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    3. The Milkman
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Agree, a penalty too?

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

        Borderline

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    4. RÏɠBY
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      nope.. fair tackle.. this is not fairy land
      MTFU

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  15. Lucky Luke
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    So Bonnucci and Maggio dropped - which Italy defenders are nailed on for the quarters? only Chiellini?

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    1. The Milkman
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Yep.

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    2. Demí
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      I think they'll go back to a 3-5-2 if they qualify. Think they just wanted to try something different, Maggio was also on a Yellow card so could've been suspended.

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    3. Pratik
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Chiellini or Buffon

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  16. COMH
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Live FFS scores anyone?

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    1. Pratik
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Which scores are these now?

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      1. COMH
        • 13 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Your lovely ones. Much obliged 🙂

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  17. Gigging Order
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Really confused, BBC text say as things stand Italy are top of the group but the live table at the side say Spain are...

    Which is it?

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    1. super zlatan
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Italy top. Spain second.

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    2. Pratik
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      It's Italy according to goal.com

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    3. slappybag
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Italy top, Spain 2nd

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    4. PanTanti
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      italy is top as it stands i can confirm with spain second

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    5. hillbillypete
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      me too!

      surely Space should be top seeing as their H to H was 1-1 and they have the better goal difference?!

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

        no as H2H GD goes first, currently Italy have 2 goals in those matches, Spain and Croatia one each. Overall GD will only into effect if H2H GD and GS are equal.

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    6. Gigging Order
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks all, they have just said on BBC text that their live tables can not cope with the weird permutations!

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  18. Sleep Talk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Snowy?! You there?! Pirlo and Cassano(c)! Way to go! 😉

    I'll try to contribute points tomorrow instead.

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    1. Pratik
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Hasn't he already won it for you?

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      1. Sleep Talk
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        He's been phenomenal this and the previous round. Seems to forget I pulled most of the points in the first round though. 😉

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  19. super zlatan
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Why did balotelli not start? Is he injured or just dropped?

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    1. PanTanti
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      injured

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      1. super zlatan
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers

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      2. RÏɠBY
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        mentally

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    2. shermanater
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      just bollocks

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  20. LOCO ABREU
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Iniesta, no goals,no assists, no rb, no nothing for 9.5. I'm tired of this guy. Why silva is a forward???

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    1. The Milkman
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      He was never likely to be a great fantasy football prospect. People don't listen...

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  21. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Well I can't believe if Strinic brings CS.

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    1. GunsnRoses
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Neither do I. But I would gladly take that 😉

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  22. Demí
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Torres off for Fabregas soon? Shame we'll not see hardly any of Llorente in this tournament, who was tipped to lead the line for Spain.

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    1. The Milkman
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Not for another 20 minutes or so, I think.

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    2. Pratik
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      I think they will wait till 60 minutes at least.

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    3. super zlatan
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      I def think cesc on for Torres.

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  23. isacki: full casual
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    How are you all gonna feel if Italy concede 😀

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    1. GunsnRoses
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      I feel good though I lose 2 for Pirlo(C)

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    2. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      happy for the excitement injection

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  24. GunsnRoses
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Cassano almost 🙁

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  25. Back on the horse
    • 15 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    I'm surprised TorresMagic doesn't play EuroFF. Where is he?

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    1. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Walkabout somewhere out in Cricketystan

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      1. Gaz Downright
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        how are you doing today, closing the gap?

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        1. Back on the horse
          • 15 Years
          13 years, 5 months ago

          I'd rather not talk about it

          *storms off to pretend he's interested in cricket instead*

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  26. isacki: full casual
    • 14 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    LOL sad to say Ireland are really on the ropes now...

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  27. COMH
    • 13 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Who remembers Marcelo Salas? Quality striker. Back when Lazio were throwing money about.

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    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      River Plate legend

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    2. GunsnRoses
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Chile ... Sa-Za .. Quality duo ;

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    3. super zlatan
      • 14 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Played for chili. Quality striker.

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

      Used to love that guy. United were constantly linked with him.

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    5. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      who was his compadre? Zamasomething

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

        Ivan Zamorano. an Inter legend famous for wearing 1+8 on his shirt amongst other things.

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      2. Mílanista
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        13 years, 5 months ago

        Zamarano

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  28. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    Iniesta assist, Alba goal wow what a combo would have been that 🙂

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    1. GunsnRoses
      • 13 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      I fainted still I saw 'would have been' 😉

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    2. Chazza
      • 16 Years
      13 years, 5 months ago

      Commentator said it was Busquets.

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  29. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    13 years, 5 months ago

    I think its Jelly time

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

    Ini over hit for Torres

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