Group-D - WC 2014

[reza]

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Fraser Forster (Celtic).

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Chris Smalling (Manchester United).

Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).

Attackers: Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Daniel Welbeck (Manchester United).

Standby: John Ruddy (Norwich City), Jon Flanagan (Liverpool), John Stones (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Andy Carroll (West Ham United), Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC).

[Best-Pundit]

This is going to be the fourth consecutive world cup for Steven (slipper) Gerrad .... I am impressed

[Mystik]

Italy's preliminary squad: http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Mondiali/1...1889.shtml

Don't want to post the actual list here because the trend seems to be that we're only posting the final squads in the individual groups?

P.S. I'm surprised we don't have a thread dedicated just to the Azzurri..

[xudong]

so I heard that el Shaarawy is out. Oh well, this kid can rest well and look forward to a great new season for Milan.

[Best-Pundit]

What formations Italy has been using in the recent matches? 3-5-2?

[ACMILAN1983]

Apparently Balotelli has faced racist abuse during the Italy preparations for the World Cup. The thing I find bizarre is Prandelli's response on the issue is claiming he only heard "nice chants", while lots of very high profile figures (including Abete, head of FIGC) condemning the act. Prandelli's a coach I respect, but I must say this comment seemed rather ignorant of him.

Likewise, in his squad selection and his questionable "code of ethics", it seems as though he shot himself in the foot with that idea.

[Best-Pundit]

Speaking of Balloteli, he should not start for Italy if Rossi is fit for the WC. G.Rossi could be the P.Rossi in this world cup. he will be appearing in the WC after a long layoff like P.Rossi, but due to different reasons of-course.

Man I would love the repeat of WC82-Brazil-Italy. A hat-trick against the Brazilians and knocking them out .... hell I would love anyone scoring a hat-trick against Brazil.

[Best-Pundit]

Football World Cup Dream Team

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World Cup Dream Team Subs

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I leave GK choice to U!

[xudong]

Cannavaro could be the weakest link of that lineup. I can't decide on the GK choice either.

[Gabriel426]

Here is mine.

Chilavert as GK
Cafu, Nesta and Beckenbauer, Maldini
Rijkaard and Curiff as CM

Ronaldo(Brazil) Maradona Giggs
Van Basten