The Three Lions came to Brazil with an all-round, well-balanced side of players who enjoyed a strong season in the Barclay’s Premier League. Under the experienced guidance of Roy Hodgson and Captain Steven Gerrard, the boys in white looked set to score a crucial win against four-time World Cup champions Italy.
They didn’t know that Italy’s two lethal weapons, versatile midfielder Andrea Pirlo and dangerous forward Mario Balotelli would ruin their welcome party. England lost their opening encounter by one goal that came via a smashing Balotelli header.
Unfortunately, England find themselves part of the ‘Group of Death’ with opposition of similar strength. Even the so-called minnows Costa Rica can’t be taken for granted. Despite being ranked 28th in the world by FIFA, they delivered an upsetting defeat to seventh-ranked Uruguay in their opening match.
Both Uruguay and England go into tonight’s game knowing a defeat could send them packing. Uruguay boast the likes of formidable Paris Saint Germain striker Edinson Cavani and the experienced Diego Forlan.
They now also have the services of Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, who sat out their debut game with a knee injury. The English know Suarez can be a serious threat especially if you allow him to get one-on-one with the keeper.
It will be most interesting to see how Suarez fares against his Liverpool Captain Steven Gerrard and teammates Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Glen Johnson, who are all-too familiar with his playing style. But they are also aware that he will give Uruguay the much-needed firepower they lacked against Costa Rica.
It should make for an exciting encounter as England look for solace in the fact that Uruguay suffered a defeat from a weaker opposition in their opening game. They will have also learnt a valuable lesson from their Italy loss and Hodgson is reportedly planning to go on the attack playing some of his key men in their favored roles like Wayne Rooney ‘in the hole’ behind the striker, and Raheem Sterling on the wing. Both of them contributed to Sturridge’s fantastic equalizer against Italy and in their ‘natural playing’ position should make for a helluva threat.
Gerrard has reportedly warned his boys to take the match “very seriously” as defeat in the group stages can be very bitter… So, it’s safe to assume The Three Lions to be roaring tonight!