Group E- Straight Forward for France?

Wow! What a day of football we had yesterday. The quadruple header which gave us a look at both group C and D was absolutely thrilling for the footballing world. We started off with the match between Colombia and Greece. Many had expected this to be a tight affair, but Pablo Armero gave Colombia the lead after 5 minutes. The Greeks created very few chances in between the 5th minute goal from the ex-West Ham left back and Gutierrez's goal for the Colombians on the 58th minute. Greece, who looked devastated by the end of this match, couldn't hold out James Rodriguez in stoppage time and the Colombian Key Player from my Group C preview added a 3rd goal to embarrass the flat and edge less Greek team. They'll really need to up their performance for the 2nd match or else they'll suffer the fate I had predicted (4th in the group). We got a look at the Uruguayan side straight after the Colombians and well, I'm not sure anybody expected the Uruguayan defence to perform so poorly. I'd always claimed in the build up to this tournament (On Twitter) that Uruguay have been overestimated by the English media and my Tweet about Costa Rica which regarded them as the "Team to watch out for at the World Cup", this result was less of a surprise to me than most, but I was still left gobsmacked. This result just showed the beautiful side to our game. Costa Rica- who only managed a draw against Ireland, beat the Copa America holders by 3 goals to 1. Costa Rica's Olympiakos star from last season, who now returns to Arsenal following his loan spell, Joel Campbell, gave the Uruguayan defence nightmares. Defender Duarte, who added to Campbell's equaliser for Costa Rica, looked shaky defensively last night, but he took his goal incredibly well. Substitute Urena, who scored a minute after coming onto the pitch, made it 3-1 and Maxi Pereira lost his discipline and had a wild swipe at Campbell. This showing of frustration at the end of the match conveyed Uruguay's desperate need for their star Luis Suarez to return for the next 2 games. England vs Italy followed that crazy match and well, the very reason I avoided my Group D preview was Steven Gerrard. I didn't want to seem biased against him or any other of the Liverpool contingency present in the English squad, but last night, Gerrard was taught a midfield lesson by Juventus' Andrea Pirlo. England's lack of a 3rd midfielder in the side alongside Henderson and Gerrard meant that Pirlo roamed further forward than expected and left Verratti lying deep in the Italian midfield. And didn't Pirlo's new role work a treat? There was a clear plan to have Sterling tracking the wizard around midfield, but he never got a chance to even get close to the bearded Italian. Pirlo managed to complete a whopping 108 passes, he set up a chance for Balotelli, did a delectable dummy in the build up to the Italian goal and hit a free kick off the bar in the final moments that was so good it left Hart in amazement. The influence exerted on the game by the 35 year old is made more impressive when you account for the energy-sapping heat that existed last night. If Pirlo manages to play like this for the whole tournament, you can expect him to be the Player of the Tournament by the end. The Italian goals came from Marchisio and Balotelli, which ended up being the winner and England's goal came from Sturridge who really deserved the goal for his first half display. Room to be positive for England after last night's disappointment? Yes, of course. But, do they need to up their performance levels for second halves of games? Definitely. The number who went down or were struck with cramp was alarming for Hodgson and physio Gary Lewin (who injured his ankle celebrating Sturridge's goal- in an almost comical occurrence). The 2 a.m kick off between Japan and Ivory Coast was one that was worth staying up for. Keisuke Honda, who tipped the Japanese to win the World Cup, gave his side the lead, but Japan's confidence was torn away with a 2 minute double from Gervinho and Bony which gave Ivory Coast a victory which I certainly didn't predict. Serge Aurier impressed during this game and looks an ideal replacement for new Man City player Bacary Sagna at Arsenal. Are we ready for tonight's triple header? Well, I hope you are because it's going to be another brilliant night.

Switzerland

Key Player: Xherdan Shaqiri

When you think of Switzerland, it's hard not to have this Bayern Munich star in mind. Xherdan Shaqiri, who didn't manage to feature for Bayern Munich in even half of their league games this season, feels somewhat wasted at the German champions however. As a Manchester United fan, it feels strange that last season Ashley Young was more likely to start in a Champions League quarter final than this wing wizard. After 11 years at Basel, Xherdan Shaqiri gained huge respect around the world as he turned in fine displays for the club, even in Europe. Sometimes people forget that he's still only 22 and that's because his breakthrough was so emphatic into the Swiss club scene. Shaqiri's scored 9 goals in his 32 international caps and will be aiming to break into double figures at least with Switzerland being drawn into a very manageable group. I fancy him to garner a lot of attention from top European clubs and I sincerely hope Manchester United are one of those chasing this player.

Midfield Maestro: Gokhan Inler 

Gokhan Inler, 29, is another Swiss star who began his professional career in Basel. At 29, Inler, who is renowned for being a box to box player will be looking forward to making another mark at a World Cup this summer. "Another?" you ask, well the Swiss star was captain for the game in the last World Cup in which Switzerland managed to cause a huge upset and beat eventual winners of the competition, Spain. Inler played his 3rd season for Napoli this year and always impresses me hugely when I watch him, particularly in Europe where he managed a goal in both the Europa League and Champions League this season. Inler's time in Italy has been extremely impressive, but if Napoli continue their outrageous spending this summer, I see this maybe being Inler's last season for the Italian giants. Should he want to send a message to coach Rafa Benitez (which I presume he doesn't have to just yet), this World Cup would be an ideal stage for him to do so.

France

Key Player: Paul Pogba

Easily one of the hottest properties in world football at the moment, Juventus star Paul Pogba, who left Manchester United following Sir Alex Ferguson's refusal to be bullied into playing the youngster and paying him excessive wages, has a lot to live up to in this tournament. Pogba who's reputation is highest of the latest crop of talented French youngsters who won the U20 World Cup last summer- which includes names like Geoffrey Kondogbia, Lucas Digne, Yaya Sanogo, Kurt Zouma and Florian Thauvin- has been linked with moves to Real Madrid and as Yaya Toure's replacement at Manchester City, but no matter who this man ends up at, one thing's for sure: He's got the footballing world at his feet. I was at a Manchester United match vs Stoke previously and I was amazed by how huge he actually was (coming from a 6'6 17 year old) in comparison to the Stoke giants. His technique is amazing and he's very comparable to Patrick Vieira in certain ways, but is much more of an attacking threat too. The perfect midfielder.

Ready To Replace Ribery? Antoine Griezmann

Yes, okay, I know you'll say "Well, would Griezmann not have started even if Ribery was fit?" and yes, you're right, but, since the injury to Ribery, France have been left in an unusual situation where they've got few to zero "stars" in attack. Samir Nasri's exclusion from the French squad by manager Deschamps caused uproar in the English media and from Nasri's girlfriend, but it's clear that the French manager feels he has a trump card in his hand. That trump card, in my opinion, is Real Sociedad's Antoine Griezmann. Having watched lots of Real Sociedad this season, after they were drawn in Manchester United's Champions League group, every week 2 players really stood out to me each week: Former West Brom and Arsenal player Carlos Vela and the French star that is Griezmann. With the ability to play on either flank, Griezmann often leaves defenders dazzled with mazy dribbles. His goalscoring record for the Spanish side is extremely impressive also. I'll admit- it wouldn't take a genius to say Griezmann is a top player- but I truly think he'll be more than capable of replacing Franck Ribery in this tournament. 

Ecuador

Key Player: Antonio Valencia

Following two very tough seasons at Manchester United, lightning fast right winger Antonio Valencia, enters this competition with the hopes of a nation resting on his shoulders. Valencia came in for a lot of criticism in the build up to this tournament from the English media, following an "overreaction" after Raheem Sterling made a ridiculous tackle on him in the nation's warm up matches, but I felt that the reaction was justified as the Englishman forgot the "friendly" nature of the match when he jumped in for the challenge. Valencia, who formerly wore number 7 at United but switched back to 25 due to an inability to cope with the pressure behind the number, is not a man I'd want to have as the main hope going into a competition, but if he hits top form, there's not many better right wingers in football. I see Ecuador progressing as a very unlikely event though.

Tribute to "Chucho" Benitez

I would've found it very difficult to do an Ecuadorian preview without mentioning Christian Benitez who passed away this year. Benitez, who passed away last July from "heart failure" will be in the mind of every single football fan as Ecuador take to the pitch this summer. Having spent a season on loan at Birmingham where he got 4 goals, it was expected that Benitez would take Brazil by a storm this summer. A truly great professional on the pitch and supposed to be one of the nicest footballers off it, Ecuador will truly miss this national hero. Some things are more important than a World Cup and the loss of a great like Christian Benitez is a huge dampener on Ecuador's World Cup. Rest in Peace. 

Honduras

Key Player: Maynor Figueroa

Figueroa completed a move to Hull this season, following Wigan's relegation to the Championship. He came to the Premier League a few years ago and was an unknown gem that Wigan had been lucky enough to keep for a few seasons. He started as a left back when he first arrived in the Premier League but has been implemented as a Centre Back, especially in a 3/5 at the back system. I expect the Honduran manager to utilise this versatility as he will more than likely field a 5 at the back against both of the giants in these groups, but may look to be more expansive vs Ecuador and may field a 4 at the back. Figueroa's a very disciplined and technically strong centre back. He could be unable to stop this Honduran team conceding lots of goals though. 

Tidy Midfield: Wilson Palacios and Roger Espinoza

After another very eye catching season with Wigan this year, Roger Espinoza enters this tournament in very good form and would be the player I'd keep a very close eye on, should Honduras play well at this tournament. With lots of energy and extremely good technique on the ball, Espinoza will more than likely be involved in Honduras' goals, should they manage to get many in this very tough group for the them. Wilson Palacios enters this tournament off the back of another extremely frustrating season for him. Surely, after another year where the hard-tackling Honduran didn't break the 20 appearance mark in the Premier League for Stoke, he'll look to put himself in the minds of many managers around Europe with good performances at this competition. Undoubtedly a very good player when he's fully focused, Palacios will be a very good partner in the centre of midfield for Espinoza and this is probably Honduras' strongest area on the pitch. They'll face tough opponents in some midfielders listed above though so they'll need to be on top of their game.

Prediction:

I fancy France to put together a much stronger performance in this World Cup than in their last exploit on the world stage. Switzerland are no slouches however and with Ottmar Hitzfeld in charge, do not expect the French progression from this group to be as straight forward as they'd like. Ecuador would love to progress in honour of Benitez, but unfortunately, I do not see that happening. Honduras will play a tough, high tempo game and will be hard to beat, especially in their first 2 games of the group stages. Ecuador and Honduras could very well play out a draw. I'd guess France will finish top- just with Switzerland 2nd and Ecuador and Honduras only managing a point each. 

GROUP F IS ON THE WAY SHORTLY!!!!