Hey guys. Hope you’re all well! Don’t forget to check out our breakdowns of Groups A, B and C! Now though it’s time to crack on with the group that most of us are probably experts on already; England’s group – Group D.
The Teams:
England, Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica.
The Fixtures:
Uruguay vs Costa Rica – 14/6/2014 8PM (BST), England vs Italy – 14/6/2014 11PM, Uruguay vs England – 19/6/2014 8PM, Italy vs Costa Rica – 20/6/2014 5PM, Costa Rica vs England – 24/6/2014 5PM, Italy vs Uruguay – 24/6/2014 5PM
England:
Strengths:
The press have backed off a bit this year compared to 2010 so there shouldn’t be the usual weight of expectation weighing down on their shoulders. The younger players in the squad such as Barkley, Shaw and Sterling also offer encouragement in that, beyond the immense quality that they possess, they won’t be affected by the side’s previous failings.
Weaknesses:
Too many ifs and buts. If everyone in the squad played as well as they do at club level then England – it pains me to say it being Welsh – could win this tournament but seldom does that happen. Sturridge is yet to form a working partnership with Wayne Rooney and the midfield at times in the past has looked a bit disjointed but should everyone find their feet, England can do exceptionally well.
Key Player:
Despite his poor record in World Cup Finals games – you can correct me on this but I can’t remember him scoring in one? – Wayne Rooney is going to be key to England’s chances. If him and Sturridge develop a good partnership and the midfielders support him as well as their abilities suggest they can, Rooney could take England very far indeed.
Where will they finish in the group?:
It all comes down to that first game against Italy: win it and England should at the very least qualify, lose it and it’ll probably come down to the group’s last fixture between Italy and Uruguay to decide whether England get through or not.
Italy:
Strengths:
Italy are a great all-round side with a wealth of experience at the top level. They have their style of play and they execute it to perfection; they’re always comfortable on the ball, always looking for (and often capable of delivering) the defence-splitting passes but on the flipside are happy to maintain possession which could do wonders for them if it means other teams are going to have to chase the ball down constantly in the searing heat.
Weaknesses:
They don’t react well to being taken out of their comfort zone – you can’t imagine them taking to a more physical approach should another team bully them out of their passing game or trump them with a superior passing game, for instance. Just see the Euro 2012 final for evidence of that!
Key Player:
Perhaps their greatest strength and weakness all rolled into one – Mario Balotelli. When he’s up for it he’s devastating (just ask Germany what happened at the Euros) but when he’s not, well to be fair he’s still devastating, it just usually ends up in some sort of suspension. He’ll want to put Milan’s dire season behind him though so expect him to have a point to prove in Brazil.
Where will they finish in the group?:
Again, it depends on that first game. Recent history would suggest that Italy should have the beating of England and therefore go on to qualify from the group but the England team they’ll be facing this time is different to the ones Italy have faced in the past so what happens is anyone’s guess. I’d still expect Italy to qualify one way or another though.
Uruguay:
Strengths:
Beyond the firepower they have, they have a very strong, very disciplined first XI that have played together for a long time. The likes of Godin and Lugano at the back allow for the forwards to play with real confidence and freedom and with the likes of Suarez and, to an extent, Cavani in exceptional form right now – allowing them to play with freedom could be devastating for any opposition.
Weaknesses:
Lugano is a crucial part of this side but has been shown this season in the Premier League at least to be lacking in pace somewhat and a bit inconsistent when facing players with more pace. He will have a big part to play in Uruguay’s chances in the group and, should they qualify, the knockout rounds.
Key Player:
Luis Suarez. I don’t think any explanation is required is it?
Where will they finish in the group?:
A great side is going to go out from this group unfortunately and it could be any one of them but Uruguay’s occasional lack of pace at the back and Muslera’s inconsistency at times between the sticks could cost them a place in the next round.
Costa Rica:
Strengths:
Being in a group with England, Italy and Uruguay, there is no expectation on them whatsoever. They’ve grabbed a few good results in recent years such as the 1-1 draw against Spain and beating the USA 3-1 last year so their performances could surprise a few people.
Weaknesses:
Around this time last year they were in the middle of a streak that would see them go seven games unbeaten but since then they’ve lost three of their four most recent fixtures against the likes of Australia, Chile and South Korea; with all due respect, much lower calibre opposition than what they have to face in this group – inconsistency could be their biggest problem here then.
Key Player:
Against forwards like Balotelli, Suarez and Rooney, the goalkeeper might be quite busy – it’s a good job then that the man between the sticks for Costa Rica is Keylor Navaz. Easily Levante’s star player this season (check out his performances against Barcelona in particular), the 27-year-old is going to be key to Costa Rica giving a respectable performance in this year’s tournament.
Where will they finish in the group?:
It would take a miracle for them to make the knockout rounds. They could play a key role in how the rest of the group goes though; a good result against one of the other three teams could ruin that team’s chances of qualification.