When a gritty, experienced Uruguay side boasting the year's best attacker faces off against an England team perpetually on the cusp of realizing their attacking potential, an entertaining end-to-end encounter is probable.
TABAREZ MUST STEER CLEAR OF THE TACTICAL BACKWATER
The two South American teams stuck in the toughest groups were a study in contrast in their first games. While both teams fielded two strikers, Uruguay coach Tabarez stranded Forlan and Cavani atop a static 4-4-2 without someone creative behind to feed them passes at their feet. Instead, their service primarily came in from the wings, but because there was little threat up the middle except Forlan dropping into the hole, Costa Rica was able to defend their aerial threat concertedly.
Against Spain, Chile coach Sampaoli sat Vidal just behind Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas to provide consistent service and to allow the three to press together. It was not a surprise that their first goal came as a result of their high pressure, and barely a surprise that all aforementioned attackers touched the ball in the rapid build-up to a great goal.
Obviously, Uruguay's attack will become more dynamic when the game's most dynamic striker is fielded, but will Suarez receive service in dangerous parts of the pitch, or will he be harried towards the sidelines by the English holders because he's fielded in a lineup that forfeits the middle of the pitch?
Against Costa Rica, Tabarez' drab 4-4-2 was also defensively deficient. Costa Rica lined up in a 5-2-2-1, with the advanced '2' of Bryan Ruiz and Cristian Bolanos not only able to get between Uruguay's lines, but also able to smoothly maintain possession until their teammates joined them up-field to create overload situations that begged wild tackles of the Uruguayans.
The only important aspect of that stunning loss that cannot be blamed on Tabarez' formation was Uruguay's stodgy set piece defense.
Uruguay will most likely line-up in their more customary 4-3-3 against England, with or without Forlan. They'll be more comfortable going forward like this and it's important to remember that they have been one of the best counterattacking national sides for the last half a decade.
Lugano and Pereira's absences means Godin will need to lead and get things sorted out in the back on set pieces and otherwise. He was badly beat on Costa Rica's third goal, and will need to rebound in order to lead a depleted line against a team that boasts pace.
Uruguay's experience could be a factor, but Suarez's actual level of fitness looms over this must-win face-off.
ENGLAND'S PERPETUAL IDENTITY CRISIS
It seems the decade long Gerard/Lampard crisis has shifted up-field and is now a bit of a Rooney/Sturridge quandry:
Who gets the keys to the team?
With Lampard and Gerard this problem got the better of numerous coaches, but Roy Hodgson should certainly have figured out the best way forward after the Italy loss.
At Liverpool, Sturridge is effective on either wing and seems particularly adept at finishing or scoring from further out at tight angles. He's not the type of player who stays out wide until the touchline, so England will lose some attacking width on that side, but the same is true of Rooney.
Rooney speed is no longer his strength, so keeping him central makes sense and should be expected, as either a #10 behind Sturridge or as a #9 leading the line with Sturridge to the left.
Hodson's next crucial decision seems to be between Lallana and Wellbeck. If Rooney is a #9 flanked by Sturridge and Sterling, Lallana (or perhaps Ross Barkley) could be a nice link between the holders--Gerrard and Henderson--and the front three. If Rooney is in the #10 position, then Wellbeck will likely line up on the left wing, with Sterling to Rooney's right and Sturridge in front.
England did not play poorly versus Italy, but it was also clear that there were tactical kinks that needed further consideration.
TABAREZ MUST STEER CLEAR OF THE TACTICAL BACKWATER
The two South American teams stuck in the toughest groups were a study in contrast in their first games. While both teams fielded two strikers, Uruguay coach Tabarez stranded Forlan and Cavani atop a static 4-4-2 without someone creative behind to feed them passes at their feet. Instead, their service primarily came in from the wings, but because there was little threat up the middle except Forlan dropping into the hole, Costa Rica was able to defend their aerial threat concertedly.
Against Spain, Chile coach Sampaoli sat Vidal just behind Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas to provide consistent service and to allow the three to press together. It was not a surprise that their first goal came as a result of their high pressure, and barely a surprise that all aforementioned attackers touched the ball in the rapid build-up to a great goal.
Obviously, Uruguay's attack will become more dynamic when the game's most dynamic striker is fielded, but will Suarez receive service in dangerous parts of the pitch, or will he be harried towards the sidelines by the English holders because he's fielded in a lineup that forfeits the middle of the pitch?
Against Costa Rica, Tabarez' drab 4-4-2 was also defensively deficient. Costa Rica lined up in a 5-2-2-1, with the advanced '2' of Bryan Ruiz and Cristian Bolanos not only able to get between Uruguay's lines, but also able to smoothly maintain possession until their teammates joined them up-field to create overload situations that begged wild tackles of the Uruguayans.
The only important aspect of that stunning loss that cannot be blamed on Tabarez' formation was Uruguay's stodgy set piece defense.
Uruguay will most likely line-up in their more customary 4-3-3 against England, with or without Forlan. They'll be more comfortable going forward like this and it's important to remember that they have been one of the best counterattacking national sides for the last half a decade.
Lugano and Pereira's absences means Godin will need to lead and get things sorted out in the back on set pieces and otherwise. He was badly beat on Costa Rica's third goal, and will need to rebound in order to lead a depleted line against a team that boasts pace.
Uruguay's experience could be a factor, but Suarez's actual level of fitness looms over this must-win face-off.
ENGLAND'S PERPETUAL IDENTITY CRISIS
It seems the decade long Gerard/Lampard crisis has shifted up-field and is now a bit of a Rooney/Sturridge quandry:
Who gets the keys to the team?
With Lampard and Gerard this problem got the better of numerous coaches, but Roy Hodgson should certainly have figured out the best way forward after the Italy loss.
At Liverpool, Sturridge is effective on either wing and seems particularly adept at finishing or scoring from further out at tight angles. He's not the type of player who stays out wide until the touchline, so England will lose some attacking width on that side, but the same is true of Rooney.
Rooney speed is no longer his strength, so keeping him central makes sense and should be expected, as either a #10 behind Sturridge or as a #9 leading the line with Sturridge to the left.
Hodson's next crucial decision seems to be between Lallana and Wellbeck. If Rooney is a #9 flanked by Sturridge and Sterling, Lallana (or perhaps Ross Barkley) could be a nice link between the holders--Gerrard and Henderson--and the front three. If Rooney is in the #10 position, then Wellbeck will likely line up on the left wing, with Sterling to Rooney's right and Sturridge in front.
England did not play poorly versus Italy, but it was also clear that there were tactical kinks that needed further consideration.