Venue: Vasil Levski Stadium, Sofia (Bulgaria)
Kick Off: 19.15 BST (Sky Sports)
The next test for Capello in his not-so-noble quest for his bonus, I mean Qualifying England for Euro 2012, comes in the shape of a rugged Bulgaria team led by balding balkans with a glare that could kill. Capello's team of lionhearts and cub's go into this favourites but as we have seen in his tenure it's never an easy fixture when England is involved. Bulgaria have made their intentions quite clear, stay tight at the back and compact in the midfield in hope that England will become frustrated and do the old English trick of 'kick and run' at the linesman. Lothar Matthaus has already stated this is one of his biggest managerial tests, surprisingly the test of telling Martin Petrov ''Bald spot? Nah, it's fine'' wasn't ranked up there.
Make no mockery of this Bulgarian team though, it boasts such big names as Tsonkov and Bozhilov so take that millionaires! The most surprisingly omission from the Bulgaria squad was ex Manchester City reserve Valeri Bojinov who Matthaus deemed too 'injured' to play despite Valeri claiming himself, via song no doubt, that he was fighting fit.
England meanwhile have concerns of their own as Capello's hand is forced by injury and subsequently he is expected to play Bent up front with Rooney in the typical 4-4-2 - What? Bents injured? Well, now we're buggered - however due to his sudden brainwave many suspect he will go with the much more 'modern' Barcelona 4-3-3 with Wilshere CB in the Mascherano role and due to his recent goal scoring exploits Young as a central striker in the Messi role. Wilshere? Really? Him as well? ****, well now it's time for you're big chance to sign Cleverley.
In all seriousness many expect to see England lineup like this -
Make no mockery of this Bulgarian team though, it boasts such big names as Tsonkov and Bozhilov so take that millionaires! The most surprisingly omission from the Bulgaria squad was ex Manchester City reserve Valeri Bojinov who Matthaus deemed too 'injured' to play despite Valeri claiming himself, via song no doubt, that he was fighting fit.
England meanwhile have concerns of their own as Capello's hand is forced by injury and subsequently he is expected to play Bent up front with Rooney in the typical 4-4-2 - What? Bents injured? Well, now we're buggered - however due to his sudden brainwave many suspect he will go with the much more 'modern' Barcelona 4-3-3 with Wilshere CB in the Mascherano role and due to his recent goal scoring exploits Young as a central striker in the Messi role. Wilshere? Really? Him as well? ****, well now it's time for you're big chance to sign Cleverley.
In all seriousness many expect to see England lineup like this -
Hart
Smalling Jones Terry Cole
Parker
Milner Lampard
Young Rooney Downing
Prediction: 0-2 England
Smalling Jones Terry Cole
Parker
Milner Lampard
Young Rooney Downing
Prediction: 0-2 England
I just feel England will get through this despite all the Bulgarian big names. Not expecting a resounding display because England aren't capable of such things especially since the departure of the main striker, Heskey, but the same can be said for Bulgaria who's star striker is preferring to spend his nights sitting on the Old Trafford bench. Anyone in the Old Trafford area may want to check out the bench, word is Berbatov is still there from the Sunday game he got so used to it he was too _____ to get up.
What are your thoughts/lineups/predictions on the game?
What are your thoughts/lineups/predictions on the game?
Last edited:
) in the team.