What promises to be a ‘˜Group Of Death’, a young England Football team open their FIFA World Cup campaign on Saturday against an ageing Italy side who knocked them out of their last major tournament.
What promises to be a ‘Group Of Death’, a young England Football team open their FIFA World Cup campaign on Saturday against an ageing Italy side who knocked them out of their last major tournament. England will be aware of their loss to the Italians back in the UEFA Euro 2012 where the latter advanced further stages on penalties. With a dangerous Uruguay side led by the attacking flair of Luis Suarez taking on Costa Rica earlier in the day, defeat for either England or Italy could cost them dear.
Looking into the newly forged England side, coach Roy Hodgson has waved in a new era of attacking flair and panache to the side. With a number of exciting young talents at his disposal, the English cannot be discounted in this tie. There will be a lot of new faces at helm for England with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain making their debuts in the World Cup. Not to forget Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge as well as Everton talent Ross Barkley could also make his England bow. All eyes will be on marksman Wayne Rooney, as he leads the Three Lions attack at Brazil.
As far as Italy are concerned, coach Cesare Prandelli has a dearth of attacking talent at his disposal. The likes of Lorenzo Insigne, Ciro Immobile and Alessio Cerci could be handed starts in a crucial tie against the English. Italy will highly rely on their midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo, who will be the cog of their midfield machinery. Not to forget controversial striker Mario Balotelli, who will look continue his rich vein of form into the World Cup.
The stakes are higher at Manaus as the temperatures sear up, so will the art of football between these fantastic two teams.
