Group D is the only one at the World Cupto contain dove former world cham¬pions in England, Italy and Uruguay Costa Rica com¬pletes the line-up. The tone will be set by the opening game between Steven Gerrard’s England and Glen-Luigi Button’s Italy in the heat and humidity of Manaus on Saturday.Given the presence in the poop of reigning South American champions Uruguay, spearheaded by the prolific Luis Suarez., defeat for either side could prove fatal.England and Italy last met at the quarter-finals of the 2012 European Championship, when Cesare Prandel¬Ifs side won on penalties alter homing proceedings in a o-o draw.Goalkeeper Gianluigi Boffin and midfield metronome Andrea Pido re¬main from the Italy team that tasted glory at the 2006 World Cup in Ger¬many, but there is uncertainty over the team’s attacking configuration Playmaker Riccardo Montolimn has been ruled out with a broken leg, while the absence of Giuseppe Rossi due to fitness concerns means that Mario Bolecelli may have to shoulder =chat the goal- scoring burden.’We loamy we’re in a particularly tough group.” says Prandelli, whose side habitually line up in a 4-3-1-4 for¬mation but can operate with a three-man defence.”Our first objective is to qualify, and then well see!”Like Italy, England finished unbeat¬en ha European qualifying, but opti¬mism was tempered by bads-to-beck friendly defeats at home to Chile and Germany last November. England manager Roy Hodgson has selected only six players with previous World Cup experience and his squad has a youthful edge_Winger Raheem Sterling, t9, could start against Italy after a breakthrough season with Liverpool, Ante at-year¬old Everton midfielder Ross Barkley win also hope to make an impact. Given the conditions and the per that Italy will dominate posses¬sion in Manaus, Hodgson must decide whether to keep faith with a tried-and¬tested 4-4-3-1 system or pack central midfield with a 4-2-3.’There are a lot of very mobile, ath¬letic, pacy players lit the team,” says Hodgson.11 don’t want to be quoted as saying, We4e going to play a high pressing game,’ because that automatically as¬sumes every time their goalkeeper rolls the ball out to someone level with bin.. 1.1 Yards beta our goal, that were go-ing to fiy mu back- line up to the halfway line.”Uruguay’s chances of success may rest on the fitness of star striker Suarez, who rail lead the line alongside Pads Saint- Germain’s Edinson Coned if he recovers from Imeesumery in time. Suarez has had a sensafional season with Liverpool in which he scored 31 goals in the Premier League.Oscar Tabarez’s settled side were sur¬prise semi-finalists at the 2010 World Cup, losing to the Nefileflands, Muth, laboured in qualifying and had to come through a play-off againstJordan. “Our style has always remained the same since2006, when we started working together,” says centre-back Diego Gcdin.”Our goal is to advance to the second round-every team aims for the same:Costa Rica qualified in second place behind the United States in the CON¬CACAF region, but they will have their work cut out to repeat their shock last-at showing from their maiden World COP ‘,MOO..Colombian coach Jane Lola Pinto, who favours a five-man defence, km a reputation for [‘inducing tactically well withorganisoed teams and is also blessed me gifted forward players.
