Steve Foster
Well-known member
So here we go, the game that we have all waited for - well since the last World Cup.
ENGLAND
Prospects
For once England arrive at a major tournament not weighed down by too much expectation, as the home of football takes the beautiful game to its modern day mecca. What was once perceived as being a free hit for Roy Hodgson and his squad has now turned into the quadrennial romantic notion of "what if?" A tough group will test England, as will the hot and sticky conditions.
Led by Roy Hodgson, the first English coach to lead England in a World Cup for 16 years, there is pressure on the Three Lions to at least continue proud traditions. Only twice before have they failed to make it out the group stage of a World Cup, in 1950 and 1958, the former of which was held in Brazil.
Wayne Rooney has scored just one goal for England in a tournament since his breakthrough Euro 2004 campaign
Key player
This will be Wayne Rooney's third World Cup and he admits the previous two have been far from successful. Nonetheless, seven goals in six qualifiers helped him nudge ever closer to Sir Bobby Charlton's England record of 49. England will need him at the top of his game - and to keep his cool - in Brazil.
One to watch
Leighton Baines is under pressure to perform in Brazil having seen off Ashley Cole, England's most-capped full-back, during qualifying but with 18-year-old Luke Shaw waiting in the wings. No one made more assists in qualifying for England than Baines (three) but he can not afford any defensive slips.
The boss
Roy Hodgson, 66, lost just one of his first 22 matches in charge prior to friendly defeats by Chile and Germany. This is the fourth national side he has managed after Switzerland, who he took to the last 16 at the 1994 World Cup, Finland and the United Arab Emirates. England's 13th permanent manager was appointed in May 2012. Hodgson is the first English manager with previous World Cup experience since Sir Bobby Robson in 1990.
How they qualified
England finished their qualifying campaign unbeaten and conceded just four goals. However, they left it to the last game to secure their ticket to Brazil, despite their opposition not being the strongest. Laboured draws against Ukraine, Poland and Montenegro were a tough watch.
World Cup record
Since victory in 1966, England have reached just one semi-final - in 1990. Their capitulation against Germany in 2010 was symptomatic of their struggles when pitted against top-class teams. And don't talk about penalties…
Fifa ranking: 10
Squad
Possible starting XI
Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Celtic), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Hart (Manchester City).
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, Jordan Henderson (both Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).
Forwards: Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United).
ITALY
Prospects
Cesare Prandelli's Italy know how to make it to the latter stages of tournaments; runners-up at Euro 2012, third-place at the Confederations Cup. TThey might not be seeded but they are certainly contenders.
A possession-based team, Prandelli has selected an array of strikers to win games for him off the bench. The Azzurri's defence is based around Juventus's mean back-line, with the majestic pass-master Andrea Pirlo pulling the strings just in front of them. There is also a smattering of youth for the future.
Key player
Andrea Pirlo is still making Italy tick despite now being 35-years-of-age. Time may be passing but the master passer remains timeless. It is often said that if you stop Pirlo you stop Italy, easier said than done, especially with a team built to protect him. Pirlo (nine) played more in qualifying than any other team-mate. That says it all.
One to watch
AC Milan forward Mario Balotelli, 23, heads to the World Cup as a maturing performer. He inspired Italy to the Euro 2012 final, scoring twice in the semi-final against Germany, and top scored in qualifying with five goals. Balotelli has managed 12 goals in 30 appearances - and Italy have never lost when he has scored.
Play mediaJump media playerMedia player helpOut of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.World Cup 2014 team profile: Italy
The boss
Cesare Prandelli is well respected by all in Italian football. Tactically astute, he has hard-line views on behaviour, both on and off the pitch. However, he has relaxed the rules on social media for the World Cup: "to allow the players maximum freedom to express themselves".
He signed a new two-year contract in March and if he sees out the contract would become the longest-serving Italian coach since Enzo Bearzot (1975-86), the man who led the Azzurri to 1982 World Cup glory. The Italian Football Federation has faith that Prandelli can repeat the feat.
How they qualified
Arguably too easily. Italy qualified with two matches to spare, along with the Netherlands becoming the first European nation to book their place. Prandelli experimented for the final two matches - both games were drawn, crucial ranking points were dropped, and Italy's seeding hopes dashed.
World Cup record
Italy are four-time world champions (1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006); only Brazil (five wins) have won more. The two-time runnersup have reached eight semi-finals in 19 previous World Cups. However, the Azzurri went home without a win to their name when defending champions four years ago.
Record v England
Italy have taken the spoils when it's mattered most in tournament football, winning their Euro 2012 quarter-final on penalties and the third-place play-off at the 1990 World Cup. The overall record is tight from 24 previous meetings, Italy ahead by nine wins to eight.
Fifa ranking: 9
Squad
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris St-Germain), Mattia Perin (Genoa).
Defenders: Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorigo Chiellini (all Juventus), Gabriel Paletta (Parma), Ignazio Abate, Mattia De Sciglio (both AC Milan), Matteo Darmian (Torino).
Midfielders: Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio (both Juventus), Thiago Motta, Marco Verratti (both Paris St-Germain), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Marco Parolo (Parma), Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina).
Forwards: Mario Balotelli (AC Milan), Antonio Cassano (Parma), Alessio Cerci (Torino), Ciro Immobile (Torino), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli).
So, can ........... will England beat Italy? As always use your head. You decide ..................
ENGLAND
Prospects
For once England arrive at a major tournament not weighed down by too much expectation, as the home of football takes the beautiful game to its modern day mecca. What was once perceived as being a free hit for Roy Hodgson and his squad has now turned into the quadrennial romantic notion of "what if?" A tough group will test England, as will the hot and sticky conditions.
Led by Roy Hodgson, the first English coach to lead England in a World Cup for 16 years, there is pressure on the Three Lions to at least continue proud traditions. Only twice before have they failed to make it out the group stage of a World Cup, in 1950 and 1958, the former of which was held in Brazil.
Wayne Rooney has scored just one goal for England in a tournament since his breakthrough Euro 2004 campaign
Key player
This will be Wayne Rooney's third World Cup and he admits the previous two have been far from successful. Nonetheless, seven goals in six qualifiers helped him nudge ever closer to Sir Bobby Charlton's England record of 49. England will need him at the top of his game - and to keep his cool - in Brazil.
One to watch
Leighton Baines is under pressure to perform in Brazil having seen off Ashley Cole, England's most-capped full-back, during qualifying but with 18-year-old Luke Shaw waiting in the wings. No one made more assists in qualifying for England than Baines (three) but he can not afford any defensive slips.
The boss
Roy Hodgson, 66, lost just one of his first 22 matches in charge prior to friendly defeats by Chile and Germany. This is the fourth national side he has managed after Switzerland, who he took to the last 16 at the 1994 World Cup, Finland and the United Arab Emirates. England's 13th permanent manager was appointed in May 2012. Hodgson is the first English manager with previous World Cup experience since Sir Bobby Robson in 1990.
How they qualified
England finished their qualifying campaign unbeaten and conceded just four goals. However, they left it to the last game to secure their ticket to Brazil, despite their opposition not being the strongest. Laboured draws against Ukraine, Poland and Montenegro were a tough watch.
World Cup record
Since victory in 1966, England have reached just one semi-final - in 1990. Their capitulation against Germany in 2010 was symptomatic of their struggles when pitted against top-class teams. And don't talk about penalties…
Fifa ranking: 10
Squad
Possible starting XI
Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Celtic), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Hart (Manchester City).
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, Jordan Henderson (both Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).
Forwards: Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United).
ITALY
Prospects
Cesare Prandelli's Italy know how to make it to the latter stages of tournaments; runners-up at Euro 2012, third-place at the Confederations Cup. TThey might not be seeded but they are certainly contenders.
A possession-based team, Prandelli has selected an array of strikers to win games for him off the bench. The Azzurri's defence is based around Juventus's mean back-line, with the majestic pass-master Andrea Pirlo pulling the strings just in front of them. There is also a smattering of youth for the future.
Key player
Andrea Pirlo is still making Italy tick despite now being 35-years-of-age. Time may be passing but the master passer remains timeless. It is often said that if you stop Pirlo you stop Italy, easier said than done, especially with a team built to protect him. Pirlo (nine) played more in qualifying than any other team-mate. That says it all.
One to watch
AC Milan forward Mario Balotelli, 23, heads to the World Cup as a maturing performer. He inspired Italy to the Euro 2012 final, scoring twice in the semi-final against Germany, and top scored in qualifying with five goals. Balotelli has managed 12 goals in 30 appearances - and Italy have never lost when he has scored.
Play mediaJump media playerMedia player helpOut of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.World Cup 2014 team profile: Italy
The boss
Cesare Prandelli is well respected by all in Italian football. Tactically astute, he has hard-line views on behaviour, both on and off the pitch. However, he has relaxed the rules on social media for the World Cup: "to allow the players maximum freedom to express themselves".
He signed a new two-year contract in March and if he sees out the contract would become the longest-serving Italian coach since Enzo Bearzot (1975-86), the man who led the Azzurri to 1982 World Cup glory. The Italian Football Federation has faith that Prandelli can repeat the feat.
How they qualified
Arguably too easily. Italy qualified with two matches to spare, along with the Netherlands becoming the first European nation to book their place. Prandelli experimented for the final two matches - both games were drawn, crucial ranking points were dropped, and Italy's seeding hopes dashed.
World Cup record
Italy are four-time world champions (1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006); only Brazil (five wins) have won more. The two-time runnersup have reached eight semi-finals in 19 previous World Cups. However, the Azzurri went home without a win to their name when defending champions four years ago.
Record v England
Italy have taken the spoils when it's mattered most in tournament football, winning their Euro 2012 quarter-final on penalties and the third-place play-off at the 1990 World Cup. The overall record is tight from 24 previous meetings, Italy ahead by nine wins to eight.
Fifa ranking: 9
Squad
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris St-Germain), Mattia Perin (Genoa).
Defenders: Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorigo Chiellini (all Juventus), Gabriel Paletta (Parma), Ignazio Abate, Mattia De Sciglio (both AC Milan), Matteo Darmian (Torino).
Midfielders: Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio (both Juventus), Thiago Motta, Marco Verratti (both Paris St-Germain), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Marco Parolo (Parma), Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina).
Forwards: Mario Balotelli (AC Milan), Antonio Cassano (Parma), Alessio Cerci (Torino), Ciro Immobile (Torino), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli).
So, can ........... will England beat Italy? As always use your head. You decide ..................
