634x258 Dugout Discussion
13 July 2014 2625 comments
Paul Paul
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A month of thrilling football culminates this evening as Germany and Argentina take to the pitch in the 2014 World Cup Final. Many Fantasy mini-leagues are on the line tonight as Joachim Low’s free-scoring side square up to one of the most resilient backlines in the tournament so far:

Germany: Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Hummels, Howedes; Khedira, Schweinsteiger; Muller, Kroos, Ozil; Klose

Argentina: Romero; Zabaleta, Garay, Demichelis, Rojo; Biglia, Mascherano; Perez, Messi, Lavezzi; Higuain

Low makes one late change to the XI that started the 7-1 rout of Brazil, with Christoph Kramer replacing Sami Khedira in central midfield. Mats Hummels has recovered from the knee problem that forced him off at the break last time around, then, while Miroslav Klose leads the line for the third successive match. Thomas Muller carries the hopes of many Fantasy managers into this one after serving up five goals and a trio of assists so far, whilst Toni Kroos’ double against the Brazilians has earned him plenty of new owners across the Fantasy games. Elsewhere in attack, Klose is gunning for his third of the campaign after breaking the World Cup Finals scoring record last week, though Low also has the option of Andre Schurrle off the bench, with the Chelsea man notching three times already.

Alejandro Sabella’s side is also unaltered from the semi-finals. Martin Demichelis gets the nod ahead of Federico Fernandez in the heart of defence once again, while Enzo Perez and Ezequiel Lavezzi are handed another start due to injury concerns over Angel di Maria and Sergio Aguero – the latter is likely to appear off the bench again, though. The South Americans have delivered four clean sheets in their last five matches and Sabella’s defence has been subject to heavy Fantasy investment as the returns dry up for Lionel Messi. It’s now three games without a goal for the Barcelona man now, who has looked lethargic for his country over the knockout matches – when it matters most of all, can he deliver?

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  1. Siva Mohan
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    AFCPressWatch™ @AFCPressWatch
    Demba Ba to Besiktas. Announcement planned for this week, according to LigTV. #CFC

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    1. Mr Sarcastic
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      First thing in my mind when I read this? Siiiimpsooons.....

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      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        What? 🙂 😐

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        1. Mr Sarcastic
          • 15 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          Bemba Da or something...in here...you know 🙂

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    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      The poor guy. Shouldn't have went to chelski, arsenal may have been a better option.

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      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        should have stayed in newcy

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    3. VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Lukaku going as well. Must be someone else coming in.

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      1. Jimmers
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        ..and Eto'o gone too - Torres still there lol

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  2. Gnu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Rio doing a critique on Hummels - gies a break Rio.

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    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Rio was one of the finest CBs in the world.

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      1. Jimbo123
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        This

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  3. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    i didnt know rio was a sea captain 😯

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    1. funny money
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      that tie is a shocker

      but not as bad as that suit

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    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Who's rio?

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      1. Bubz
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        ...

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      2. Malcolm Tucker for England …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        Some bird dancing on the sand

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        1. VougieDipond
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          beat me to it lol

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          1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 4 months ago

            🙂

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    3. I.A.P
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      He likes the seamen so he does..

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    4. VougieDipond
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      he has always had a dodgy boat

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  4. tm245
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Must say I love the opening of the half tunnel shots, watching them hang out while they wait to take the field.

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    1. tm245
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Ooh, there is Sergio!

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  5. Twitter-Twello
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone here getting prizes from McD (or expecting it?).

    A Sony phone for Top 10 is great. I needed that, but too far from the elites.

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  6. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Aguero on

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  7. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    right come on bbc fairs fair.......... now zoom in on some guys crotch

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    1. Bartowski
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      To be fair the entire rest of the coverage is filming men...

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  8. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Aguerooooooo

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      *aguerooooooouchhhhhh

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      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        follwed by missing 6 games of the new season

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  9. Zasa
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Different Germany side w/ Schurrle up front. Really liking this gameso far, wasn't expecting Argentina to leave it all on the field. Next to score guys?

    Klose for me, all those crosses from Muller have been imminent threats

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Messi to score the winner and be proclaimed GOAT. It's written in the stars.

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  10. Twitter-Twello
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Aguero at the expense of Lavezzi?

    Not convincing.

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  11. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Higuain still on...

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  12. t4thomas
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    I have Aguero (C) as a McD mini-league differential. Should be interesting!

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  13. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Lavezzi off 😯

    Harsh, it should have been Higuain

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    1. Billy Gilmore
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Indeed.

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    2. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Or Messi. Lavezzi been their best attacker.

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    3. Zasa
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      That was an awkward move, Lavezzi has been the biggest threat w/ his sheer pace so far.

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  14. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    ooooo

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  15. Twitter-Twello
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Mascherano successful delivery. 😀

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  16. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Brave bringing Aguero on for Lavezzi.

    C'mon Argentina!!!!

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  17. tm245
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    So close!

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  18. Malcolm Tucker for England …
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Higuain has never met a linesmans flag he didn't like

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  19. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Arghhhhh so closeeee 🙁

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  20. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    I celebrated then 🙂

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  21. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    ok what have the argies taken at half time?

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    1. I.A.P
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Columbian marching powder

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  22. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Maradona would have scored that 😉

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      He's no Aguero

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  23. I.A.P
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Messi bottled it

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      and has been drinking it clearly

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  24. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    People criticised Higuain

    Let's criticise messi for that because that was shite

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    1. MJ6987
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      The difference is, he gets 10 chances like that most games for Barca.

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    2. Malcolm Tucker for England …
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Ok.

      Messi, that was shite. It was like watching Higuain

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    3. Poseidon. Not arrogant, jus…
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Higuain isn't the best player on the planet.

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  25. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Messi off

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  26. Declan
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    HALF-TIME North Korea 2 Portugal 0 😀

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      😆

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  27. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    What a picture 😎

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      stunning

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    2. Djerbil
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      yes that statue of Ozil with the halo at the background , WOW

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  28. Bubz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Higuain is a joke

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  29. The Missing Link
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 4 months ago

    Messi shouldn't get any awards if he doesnt score through the entire knockout phase....

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    1. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Not really his fault when he's being triple marked by the opposition, he's only one man at the end of the day

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        So what are the two free men up to?

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        1. Bøwstring The Carp
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 4 months ago

          Staying in offside positions 😛

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      2. The Missing Link
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        He's had a fair share of chances!

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    2. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      He's not been great against the top teams.

      Mind you, he's used to playing in La Liga... 😛

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      1. Twitter-Twello
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 4 months ago

        +1

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    3. Mr Sarcastic
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 4 months ago

      Argentina wins, but no magic from Messi => Macherano should win it.
      Won't happen tough.
      Argentina wins, Messi wins.

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