GREECE vs. IVORY COAST
Date: June 24, 2014
Time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): N/A
Last Match: N/A
Line: Ivory Coast EVEN
Group C Preview here.
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.
Team Profiles
World Ranking: Greece (12th), Ivory Coast (23rd)
Managers: Fernando Santos (GRE), Sabri Lamouchi (CIV)
Captains: Giorgos Karagounis (GRE), Didier Drogba (CIV)
World Cup Appearances: 3 (GRE), 3 (CIV)
Best Finish: Greece (2x Group Stage, Last in 2010), Ivory Coast (2x Group Stage, Last in 2010)
Qualifying Records: Greece (9-1-2, GF: 16, GA: 6), Ivory Coast (5-0-3, GF: 19, GA: 7)
Previous Game Results
Greece
Ivory Coast
June 15th - Ivory Coast def. Japan 2-1
June 19th - Colombia def. Ivory Coast 2-1
Rosters
Injuries/Discipline
Ivory Coast: Sol Bamba (Yellow Card), Cheick Tiote (Yellow Card), Didier Zokora (Suspended - Card Accumulation)
Overview
Unless Japan can pull an upset in their match, this game will be the decider to see who goes through from Group C along with Colombia. You'd also be hard pressed to find two more contrasting styles of play in this tournament.
The rigid team defence of Greece take on the full-out attack of the Ivory Coast. It's a less than ideal situation for the Greek team who can best be described as inept in the offensive zone and are not built to play in must-win games.
They'll also have their hands full in dealing with an Ivorian team that is full of size and speed, a combination that can overwhelm unsuspecting defensive lines for teams. They don't play a strong tactical game, relying heavily on their individual skill to get by which is a blessing and a curse for opponents. If they're on their game, Ivory Coast are near unstoppable defensively.
Ivory Coast are expected to play their 4-3-3 formation that has been more of a 4-2-4 in practice. There has been talk that they will push Yaya Toure back to a more defensive role so that they can field the best possible 11 in this game. There's also the lingering question of whether or not Didier Drogba will make his debut as a starter, having come off the bench in the first 2 games for Ivory Coast.
Greece call their formation a 4-3-3 and they'll need to play that way to be successful this game. Typically Greece drop the wingers back in to midfield and stack 9 players behind the ball defensively. But they cannot afford to do that against Ivory Coast. This is a team that needs to find some goals facing a team that will bulldoze their way through a passive Greek defence if they get the opportunity..
Personnel
In the Greek Third: Greece locked things down tight against Japan but showed some holes against Colombia. Holebas struggled with speed on the outside and they continually collapsed too far in to their area leaving space at the top of the box for shots. Ivory Coast have all kinds of offensive threats and will surely see potential for goals here. Greece plays team defence better then anyone but will be tested in this contest. Advantage: Even.
In the Midfield: Greece rely on being able to attack as a unit and push their midfielders forward carefully to avoid exposure defensively. That isn't going to fly under the pressure Ivory Coast will put on in this game. Advantage: Ivory Coast
In the Ivorian Third: Ivory Coast have some awareness issues on the field but this is a Greek team that has been shut out in 5 of their last 6 contests. Advantage: Ivory Coast
Goalkeeping: Boubacar Barry has been shaky all tournament while Orestis Karnezis is the only reason Greece have any points in this group. Advantage: Greece.
The rigid team defence of Greece take on the full-out attack of the Ivory Coast. It's a less than ideal situation for the Greek team who can best be described as inept in the offensive zone and are not built to play in must-win games.
They'll also have their hands full in dealing with an Ivorian team that is full of size and speed, a combination that can overwhelm unsuspecting defensive lines for teams. They don't play a strong tactical game, relying heavily on their individual skill to get by which is a blessing and a curse for opponents. If they're on their game, Ivory Coast are near unstoppable defensively.
Ivory Coast are expected to play their 4-3-3 formation that has been more of a 4-2-4 in practice. There has been talk that they will push Yaya Toure back to a more defensive role so that they can field the best possible 11 in this game. There's also the lingering question of whether or not Didier Drogba will make his debut as a starter, having come off the bench in the first 2 games for Ivory Coast.
Greece call their formation a 4-3-3 and they'll need to play that way to be successful this game. Typically Greece drop the wingers back in to midfield and stack 9 players behind the ball defensively. But they cannot afford to do that against Ivory Coast. This is a team that needs to find some goals facing a team that will bulldoze their way through a passive Greek defence if they get the opportunity..
Personnel
In the Greek Third: Greece locked things down tight against Japan but showed some holes against Colombia. Holebas struggled with speed on the outside and they continually collapsed too far in to their area leaving space at the top of the box for shots. Ivory Coast have all kinds of offensive threats and will surely see potential for goals here. Greece plays team defence better then anyone but will be tested in this contest. Advantage: Even.
In the Midfield: Greece rely on being able to attack as a unit and push their midfielders forward carefully to avoid exposure defensively. That isn't going to fly under the pressure Ivory Coast will put on in this game. Advantage: Ivory Coast
In the Ivorian Third: Ivory Coast have some awareness issues on the field but this is a Greek team that has been shut out in 5 of their last 6 contests. Advantage: Ivory Coast
Goalkeeping: Boubacar Barry has been shaky all tournament while Orestis Karnezis is the only reason Greece have any points in this group. Advantage: Greece.
Greece will win if:
Attack and take your chances defensively. Ivory Coast will run and attack and barge straight at you for 90 straight minutes. Greece cannot afford to hang back and wait to counter as they can't match the speed of the Ivorians. Need to utilize their wingers as actual forwards in this game and pressure high up the field to maximize their offensive chances. Yeah, they'll probably regret that choice at some point but then they're right back where they are now. The bottom of the group.
Ivory Coast will win if:
Keep your heads and understand the situation. Ivory Coast can likely get through with a draw and they're facing an opponent that doesn't understand what the concept of goal-scoring is. It's an ideal situation for Ivory Coast to be in. Unfortunately this is a team that is by nature very aggressive and don't always make the best mental decisions. Have to respect Greece's potential for an upset and make sure their own end is secure before the freight train gets going up the field.
Ivory Coast's speed and power too much for Greece to handle. Ivory Coast likely the most shaky defence Greece face but lack of finishing haunts Greece in this game as they take the loss.
Ivory Coast 2-0 Greece
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