MATCH THREAD - Italy 0 vs Costa Rica 1 - Group D - 5PM KO (UK Time) - Friday 20th June

ijjysmith · June 20, 2014

Vs

Italy pair Gianluigi Buffon and Mattia De Sciglio are back in training but a late decision will be made on their availability.

Andrea Barzagli and Daniele De Rossi picked up minor knocks earlier in the week and will be assessed.

Costa Rica look set to continue with the 5-4-1 formation that served them so well in a3-1 win over Uruguay.

Joel Campbell is again expected to lead the line, with Bryan Ruiz breaking from an advanced right position.

England's slim chances of progressing from Group D rest on Italy beating Costa Rica.

Roy Hodgson's side will be eliminated if Costa Rica draw or beat the Italians in Recife.

Should Italy win and also beat Uruguay next Tuesday, then England can qualify for the last 16 by beating Costa Rica.

SMITHY'S PREDICTION - Italy 1 Costa Rica 0

bluemangroup · June 20, 2014

Thirst.

Chang Elephant · June 20, 2014

Tenth

pbeyer · June 20, 2014

Watched the last one in a random basement in Torino with about 120 Italians. Great fun.

Taking to the piazzas of Genova for this one. High expectations.

obc · June 20, 2014

Like Italy. Wonderful place. The people were great. But rooting for mi hermanos de CONCACAF, the Costa Rica Fightin' Oviedos.

bluelife · June 20, 2014

I honestly can't get my head around why Gerrard isn't being blamed for this in the BBC recap. Phil Neville: 'A lack of concentration at the back'...He was miles offside before it was headed perfectly back to him? It is ENTIRELY Gerrard's fault and noone is saying a thing!

Garrick · June 20, 2014

I'll cheer for CONCACAF. And chaos.

COME ONNNNNNNNNNN LOS TICOS.

Arteta2391 · June 20, 2014

If they win this WE RIOT

bluelife · June 20, 2014

Will make Tuesday pretty exciting if Italy do this.

ijjysmith · June 20, 2014

Oh Christ what do I want here?!

Costa Rica my team in the work sweepstake and shocked me against Uruguay.

Or the England connotation, but feeling very disillusioned with them.

RaleighBlue · June 20, 2014

ijjysmith said:
Oh Christ what do I want here?!

Costa Rica my team in the work sweepstake and shocked me against Uruguay.

Or the England connotation, but feeling very disillusioned with them.

Gotta root for Italy, right?

The could save England after those bad Evertonians lost the game for you last night.

bluemangroup · June 20, 2014

ijjysmith said:
Oh Christ what do I want here?!

Costa Rica my team in the work sweepstake and shocked me against Uruguay.

Or the England connotation, but feeling very disillusioned with them.

England always deserve a third chance surely?

bluelife · June 20, 2014

ijjysmith said:
Oh Christ what do I want here?!

Costa Rica my team in the work sweepstake and shocked me against Uruguay.

Or the England connotation, but feeling very disillusioned with them.

Got to admit the Gerrard situation has reduced my level of support for England by a lot

Dithering Dougie · June 20, 2014

Been a lively start, Costa Rica look threatening again, unfortunately.

ste d' indica · June 20, 2014

ijjysmith said:
Oh Christ what do I want here?!

Costa Rica my team in the work sweepstake and shocked me against Uruguay.

Or the England connotation, but feeling very disillusioned with them.

That's a barrel yer over and no mistakin!!

I'm genuinely in two minds over this, if Italy properly beat Costa Rica then fair enough and we've got a slim chance, but if there was nothing riding on this I'd defo be behind Costa Rica.