Robespierre wrote:

ExtremistEnigma wrote:

rwo power wrote:Well, I would be all for Italy getting eliminated in the groups. Italy would be the team that worries me most if we run into them somehow. ^^

The only team Germany needs to worry about is themselves.

no  rwo agrees .

There are 3 certaines in football : Benfica  loses an European final , Tony Pulis doesn't relegate , Germany doesn't win against Italy

  

and England lose on penalties

ITALY 1 - 1 ENGLAND
URUG 2 - 2 COSTA RICA

ITALY 0 - 0 COSTA RICA
ENGLAND 2 - 2 URUGUAY

ITALY 1 - 1 URUGUAY
ENGLAND 2 - 2 COSTA RICA



Best group out there.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:

Motogp69 wrote:I watched the majority of CONMEBOL qualifying and I literally have no idea outside of Cavani and Suarez why Uruguay are so well thought of as a team.

I have England winning the group only because Italy doesn't always storm out of the gates in tournaments.

I completely agree

Then again, Uruguay were 5th last time around in qualifiers and made it to semis (albeit with a favorable draw)

alfred, I think they are worse now than last year. The very same players but four years of tiredness added to their legs. The silver lining is Suarez of course if he is fit, Cavani who has become a regular recently and Godin who had an excellent season. The only way they can match last time's achievements is if Suarez were to play the Forlan role from last time which is asking too much even from him.

Forza wrote:

Casciavit wrote:Balotelli:

“I don’t look at England as a team that can win the World Cup.''

“They have some good players, but they are no real rivals for Italy.

“I am not saying that Italy are favourites, but we have the mentality and experienced players to surprise people — I don’t think England have that.

“We have players who have won the World Cup, I don’t think England have a player who knows what it is like to play past the quarter-final.”

Brutal

Brutal yes but spot on at the same time.

De Sciglio ruled out of match against England, due to a muscle strain in his left thigh.

That seems like a big hit for them.. How are they likely to line up defensively without him?

I smell Chiellini at LB

Darmian probably lol


Abate RB darmian LB

I suspect Chiellini too and 4-1-3-2.

I must be honest though, I know next to nothing about Darmian other than he plays for Torino. Wiki says hes RB preferred.

He's average, not sure how he'll cope

I really don't trust abate right now, if it were up to me, it'd be De Sciglio LB , Darmian RB
now with this injury, I actually do hope Chiellini shifts left, and Darmian on the right. it'd only be for a match. I think we'll be okay.

Blame lay on Cesare for not calling up literally our best full-back in Criscito, in all predictability we'll see Cheillini at that position who is slow and awkward there.

Darmian is comfortable with his left yet not used to attacking the left flank.

Should have taken Criscito

I'm baffled as to why he took 2 RB's and 1 person who can play on both flanks. It should be 1 LB, 1 RB and 1 person who can play on both flanks

tbf Darmian had a better season than the eternal injured De Sciglio  , he is improved this year but he is not so good defensively . on the other hand he played in 3-5-2 . he was not a fulback in defence to 4 this year . I suppose Prandelli would have called D'Ambrosio instead than Darmian if he remained to Torino , considering his hype during the period to Torino and  he was playing better than Darmian . both developed by Ventura.

anyway Darmian will be on bench.
We will play to 4 , with Chiellini as fullback (the best solution probably) and Paletta preferred to Bonucci , according rumours

Prandelli in a defence with 4 men prefers Paletta to Bonucci on the other hand Bonucci is enough scrub  in that system.
Conte knows it too.

It's tough analyzing results from Cesare's Italy since he seems to change his philosophy, formations and starting 11's on a daily basis.For example, I don't think he ever played with the formation he will be lining up vs England, with Veratti-De Rossi-Pirlo

BREAKING: #Tabarez confirms that #Suarez will not start tomorrow's game, even if all goes well in training this evening.

RealGunner wrote:BREAKING: #Tabarez confirms that #Suarez will not start tomorrow's game, even if all goes well in training this evening.

Expected this. They will want him at 100% against Italy and England.

Sam Wallace ‏@SamWallaceIndy
Same end of the pitch at Arena da Amazônias in Manaus yesterday (top) & today. They must have painted the grass ...

According to German newspapers, they indeed painted the Manaus pitch. I think we will see it better as soon as some of the players are rolling over the "grass" after a foul...

Are you ready ?

Maybe not even Buffon will play

Seems like England have already got there excuse ready once they get raped by Italy.

IT WAS THE PITCH FFS!!!

Italy ain't beating England. They'd be lucky to salvage a draw.

Mattia De Sciglio, Gigi Buffon and Salvatore Sirigu all ruled out versus England.

That leaves Mattia Perin to have his Italia debut versus England tonight.

The latter two goalkeepers are world class and vital yet I have 100% confidence in Perin as it's not often you'll me hear me say that when Gigi is out. Would have been beneficial if Perin had experience pre-World Cup yet this will not be another Marchetti disaster.