The three lions. A name synonymous with tradition, passion and pride. Strangely though, not many give the English much of a chance at this tournament, with a high percentage of fans not expecting them to get past the round of sixteen. The English setup however, has undergone a real transition, with much of the deadwood cut away, and younger, fresher legs being introduced. There is real, vital threat in this England side, with the terrifying pace of Raheem Sterling, the trickery of Adam Lallana, the inventiveness of Ross Barkley, the clinical finishing of Daniel Sturridge, and not forgetting a small percentage of the England old guard in the form of Gerrard, Rooney and Lampard, left there to keep young heads level and focused in what is sure to be a highly intense and high-octane event.
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The Italians have history in this tournament having won the World Cup before. Strangely though, 17 of the Italy squad are brand new to the tournament, exactly the same as England. The game changers for Italy are expected to be Matteo Darmian, a debutant through AC Milan’s youth system, Gabriel Paletta of Parma and midfielder Marco Verratti of French championship winning Paris St. Germain. Verratti is touted as a game changer with real, tangible talent and is set to become one of the main forces in Europe alongside names like Steven Gerrard and Lionel Messi.
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The tiny Lorenzo Insigne is expected to start on the wing tonight, his pace easily a match for most players present on the pitch (which has been painted green due to sun damage and poor condition) tonight. On England’s books are an array of versatile talent complete with aggression, toughness and self belief. Wayne Rooney is expected to start in behind the lethal Daniel Sturridge, whose electrifying form saw him bag 20 goals in the English Premier League last season, second only in the league to club mate Luis Suarez who ended on 30 (and that was after missing 6 games due to suspension carried over from last season).
Southampton’s Luke Shaw may make a start this evening, his youth and pace, as well as a solid frame making him an ideal candidate for a defender who can play out from the back. Lallana will be in front of him, combining his trickery and pace with Gerrard’s experience and accuracy to feed Rooney, Sturridge and Welbeck at the front.
Another revelation for the England squad, and indeed for his own domestic club, Everton, has been Ross Barkley. Barkley has been setting the English Premier league on fire, making devastating solo runs and scoring some unforgettable goals in the process. All of the new England players are generally considered as revelations in themselves and that’s probably why this game is expected to be the most bet-upon game in the history of the World Cup.
Both teams are expected to set up to attack, and with any luck viewers will be treated to a spectacle of fast, pacey, box-to-box action and with further luck a flurry of goals to complement the occasion.
POSSIBLE LINE UPS
England (4-2-3-1): Hart; Johnson, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines; Gerrard, Henderson; Welbeck, Lallana, Rooney; Sturridge
Italy (4-3-2-1): Buffon; Abate, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Pirlo, Marchisio, De Rossi; Verratti, Cassano, Balotelli