Talk is cheap: What they said ahead of England v Uruguay

Jamie Clark

17/06/14

Uruguay v England - World Cup

England and Uruguay both suffered defeat in their Group D openers at the Brazil finals, so once again Coral help punters to narrow their focus on another must-win match for Roy Hodgson’s side.

The Three Lions are 6/5 favourites to beat La Celeste, with a draw priced at 23/10 and Oscar Tabarez’s team 5/2 for victory.

In a light-hearted take on this crunch clash, we take a look at several sound-bites from from both camps.
England striker Daniel Sturridge:

“I’m prepared to do anything to win this next game. It’s do or die. It’s a World Cup.”
Anything, Daniel?

“I’m not saying I’m going to dive or do anything that’s not within the laws of the game, but I will do anything – like my teammates – to win this game.”

So, not quite anything. Sturridge’s part is scoring goals, and he is 6/4 to build on doing that just that in his last outing and net anytime against Uruguay.

Uruguay captain Diego Lugano:
“It’s life or death on Thursday. We’re up against two of the best in the world now [England and Italy]. It’s an enormous challenge.”

Wait, didn’t Sturridge say the same thing, Diego?

“The English players are fast and strong. That demands a lot of the defenders. We were annoyed, furious, disappointed [after losing to Costa Rica], but you have to be mature and understand this is football, mistakes cost you hard.

“Now we’re united again. Our faith is intact. We mustn’t lose our heads, [or] lose our way.”
La Celeste will be without experienced right back Maxi Pereria because of suspension, after his sending off against Costa Rica. In his absence, ageing paceless wonder Lugano and the rest of the Uruguayan defence are 3/1 to keep a clean sheet.

England forward Danny Welbeck on teammate Wayne Rooney:
“You say he is playing out of position but he has played there [on the left wing] plenty of time for Manchester United as well.

“He has not just played there in the Premier League but the Champions League semi-final and final, so he is accustomed to that position and can play it well.

“Wayne was on the left in the first game and in the second or third game he could be in a different position. All the forward players have the flexibility to move in and round, interchanging positions.”

Rooney assisted Sturridge’s strike in the Italy match, and is 15/8 to break his World Cup duck at long last against Uruguay.

Uruguay and Liverpool striker Luis Suarez:
“I know all the players in the England squad because they are teammates or rivals. They have defensive deficiencies and we can take advantage of them.

“I haven’t missed a day of recovery time and I’m 100% fit… I never thought I was going to lose out on playing in the World Cup because of injury.”