*** Official Match Thread England v Italy ***

[Blackadder]

i worry that on the same wing as an off form Johnson, that makes us rather weak on the right. i like Sterling, but Lallana is a better allround player i think more suited to the discipline and tactics required for internationals. Sterling would be better unleashed for the last 20-30 minutes.

Can't argue with that.

 

[crookie]

i worry that on the same wing as an off form Johnson, that makes us rather weak on the right. i like Sterling, but Lallana is a better allround player i think more suited to the discipline and tactics required for internationals. Sterling would be better unleashed for the last 20-30 minutes.

Agree also. But hopefully Sterling pushes them back so much Johnson's frailties don't exposed so much

 

[Blackadder]

Following the Uruguay result, I have just put a cheeky little fiver on our game being a draw tonight (A score I thought we might have anyway).

The England and Italy management will be desperate not to lose this game. A point each and both teams progressing is looking good.

 

[Spun Cuppa]

England should do to Italy what Costa Rica have just done to Uruguay. Let Italy do possession and be ponderous, and England just turn on the afterburners, ping it about, and unload the PACE!!!

 

[Meade's Ball]

I wonder if we'll be in a country full of incredibly small lip-hugging moustaches if Sturridge bags a couple tonight. I might grow an almost invisible one if he scores 4, one less than a millimeter thick and dyed to be the exact colour of my upper lip, making people constantly unsure whether it is or isn't. Phantomic.

 

[The Wizard]

Official lineup:

 

[shaolinpunk]

Anyone got the official lineup? Want to get some goalscorer bets on

Hart, Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines, Gerrard, Henderson, Rooney, Sterling, Welbeck, Sturridge

Happy with that - would have liked Barkley to start but with the Ox unavailable we need a quick difference-maker available from the bench

 

[sydney]

Think there is a great chance with or without Buffon, key for us has to be pace.

key forus willbe not getting sucked in by ballottelli's antics......you know what the itii's are like , he is a game changer for all the wrong reasons.

 

[Washie]

Not sure how i feel about that line-up.

 

[Sussax]

England/Brighton flag on BBC News.

 

[Beach Hut]

Oh We will be hunting him down Wizard, we will be hunting him down!!

Now. Where are those flaming torches and cudgels.

Come and have a go if you think you're hard enough........

 

[shaolinpunk]

Italy are starting Darmian and Paletta who have one and two caps respectively. Get at them early and put them under pressure - see if they handle it.

 

[Spun Cuppa]

I feel more optimistic about this line-up compared with the dead men walking of the game against Italy two years ago. Youngsters have been brought in, blooded, and are hopefully up to the job. Let's hope everyone keeps it together, and makes each England fan proud

 

[The Wizard]

Italy are starting Darmian and Paletta who have one and two caps respectively. Get at them early and put them under pressure - see if they handle it.

This also Chiellini at LB, great CB but he's not the greatest LB, get Sterling running at him.

 

[Marxo]

I wish that I wasn't so bleedin' nervous!

 

[Blackadder]

Come and have a go if you think you're hard enough........

 

[Acker79]

This competition is due a dull 0-0...

 

[CorgiRegisteredFriend]

This competition is due a dull 0-0...

Would take that happily.

 

[Blackadder]

This competition is due a dull 0-0...

I'm quite surprised that there hasn't been a draw yet.

 

[Marxo]

This season The Albion seemed to get an opposing keeper playing a blinder every other game, I hope this Sirigu bloke doesn't!