Rodgers dismisses talk of Suarez exit

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says that there is no agreement with Luis Suarez that would allow him to leave the club if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.

The Uruguayan striker said he was unhappy at Liverpool during the close season and the Merseyside club had to fend off interest from Premier League rivals Arsenal before persuading him to stay put.

He has rewarded them with some fine performances since completing a 10-game ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic, and moved to the top of the scoring charts with a sensational four-goal haul in Wednesday's 5-1 thrashing of Norwich City.

Liverpool's resolve to hold onto the controversy-prone striker would be sternly tested if they failed to qualify for next season's Champions League, but Rodgers says there is no pact that would allow him to leave the club in such circumstances.

"There never was that before and there never was that this summer," the Liverpool manager said, in comments reported by several British newspapers on Friday.

"I didn't sit in on the conversations, but as I understand it there is no agreement of any kind.

"The contract was what it was. We want him to stay and with his contract running for two and a half years, I am sure there will be something between now and the end of the season to keep him here.

"There will be a number of dependencies on that, but the most important thing is that the player is happy.

Kagawa happy with left-wing role

Manchester United attacking midfielder Shinji Kagawa says he is prepared to play on the left flank in order to nail down a place in manager David Moyes's first team.

The Japan star was a peripheral figure in the early weeks of the season, but he has started seven of their last 10 games, typically on the left-hand side of the attack in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

While the 24-year-old's preferred position is as a number 10 behind a lone striker – a role he has adopted in the absence through injury of Robin van Persie – he says he is happy to fill in wherever he is needed.

"I played behind the main striker at (Borussia) Dortmund, but I usually play on the left with Japan," Kagawa told the United match programme, United Review.

"I should be flexible enough to play in a number of roles, so I am a more attractive player to the team and can contribute even more.

"Every day I am learning how to trouble my opponents on the left, how best to cause them problems with my movement. But I would still like to be capable of taking up more positions."

United host Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday, having fallen 12 points behind leaders Arsenal following their 1-0 loss at home to Everton on Wednesday.

City seek more away day success

Manchester City will look to continue the improvements in their away form when they travel to Southampton for a Premier League fixture at St Mary's on Saturday.

Last month City manager Manuel Pellegrini admitted his team had to resolve their issues on the road if they were to stand a chance of winning the title.

After losing four and drawing one of their six previous away games in the league, Wednesday's 3-2 win at West Bromwich Albion was a step in the right direction.

But, even with Vincent Kompany back after almost two months out with a thigh injury, Pellegrini will still be concerned by City conceding two goals at the Hawthorns.

That made it 12 goals conceded in seven away matches but Kompany's return is sure to add some stability at the back for Pellegrini.

Kompany claims City have changed their 'away' mindset and an upturn in their results beyond the club's Eastlands base will be critical during a few key weeks.

After the trip to St Mary's they head to Bayern Munich, although both sides have already qualified for the Champions League knockout phase.

Following a home game with leaders Arsenal, City travel to Leicester in the League Cup and head to Fulham before Christmas.

"The games keep ticking away," said Kompany. "If we beat Southampton we've got a lot of things in our hands again. That's the mission and everyone knows it.

"It hasn't been a mental block. We're trying to have the attitude now that every game is a home game, irrespective of which part of the world we're in.

"This league is very hard and we're taking it step by step. There are a lot of games to go before we can compare ourselves to the team that won the league."

Pellegrini has been forced to field five different centre-backs – who are from five different countries – in the Premier League this season, using a host of combinations.

Kompany insisted there were no language issues.

"I don't even know what language I speak on the pitch anymore. Football is a universal language and you just know, all of the defenders talk and when you talk it makes you better and makes the other players better as well."

Defender Matija Nastasic is set to be out for another two weeks with a calf problem but David Silva and Stevan Jovetic are likely to be available for the trip to Bayern after similar calf injuries.

Southampton's impressive start to the season has come to an abrupt halt, with three successive defeats dropping the south coast club to eighth place.

That has raised fears Saints are beginning to feel the strain although the results don't tell the whole story with Southampton performing well despite losing at Arsenal and Chelsea before Wednesday's home defeat by Aston Villa.

Statistically, Southampton overwhelmed Paul Lambert's side, enjoying 77 percent possession, completing six times as many passes as their opponents and conjuring 21 shots while the visitors scored from their three efforts on target.

That has helped prevent Mauricio Pochettino's team becoming too disheartened at suffering another loss.

"It's not that we're not playing well. We are playing well," said Saints captain Adam Lallana.

"We've got to prepare and get everyone as fit as we can. It is a big month. We've proved we can beat Man City. We did last season, so let's do it again."

Victor Wanyama is struggling to recover from a knock suffered against Villa while fellow midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin is expected to miss out with a groin problem.

Cahill has faith in Chelsea resolve

Gary Cahill reckons Chelsea are showing the character required to pull off a second successive away victory at Stoke City on Saturday and so increase the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Jose Mourinho's side came from behind at Sunderland on Wednesday to pull off a 4-3 victory that kept them in second place, four points behind London rivals Arsenal.

With Arsene Wenger's side due to face in-form Everton at home 24 hours after Chelsea have visited the Britannia Stadium, the clash with Stoke presents an opportunity for the Blues to close the gap, however temporarily.

And after struggling on the road at times this season, centre-back Cahill believes his side is now showing the resilience to pull off the away victories that could determine the destiny of the title.

"It's something that we have spoken about before and it's something that we have looked to address," said the England defender.

"Our home form has been so good and if we can do the same away as we have done at home then it will be great.

"We went behind against Sunderland early on and it's not ideal, but again we showed character. It was a tough game, especially after (playing Southampton on) Sunday, but it's all about trying to win games and we did that in the end, so we're pleased."

Cahill knows the battle to be champions could go all the way this season and he believes the title-winning experience of manager Jose Mourinho and senior players including Frank Lampard, John Terry and Petr Cech will be invaluable to Chelsea.

"It's very tight at the top. All we can do is keep trying to win. We did that against Southampton and at Sunderland we went away from home to a team that is fighting and made it very hard for us, but again we got the win.

"Jose's experience will definitely help us this season. I've won cup competitions but I've never won the league, and it's one of my goals that I'm aiming to achieve.

"We've got players that have won the league a few times. They've got a lot of experience to give the younger players like Eden Hazard, and we can all take confidence from them."

On paper, Chelsea should secure three point at Stoke but City midfielder Charlie Adam insists his side have the quality to upset Chelsea despite their miserable run of form.

Wednesday's goalless draw with Cardiff meant the Potters have still claimed just one Premier League win since August.

Mark Hughes's team spurned a host of chances against the Welsh club –much to the frustration of their manager, who wants a new striker in January.

Although the draw moved Stoke up to 14th, Hughes will be concerned with his team having triumphed in just one of their last 11 matches in the league – leaving them four points above the drop zone.

"We have to keep doing what we are doing and the breaks will come," Adam said. We have good enough players.

"We have a tough game against Chelsea coming at the weekend but we will make it difficult for them.

"If we just keep working hard the penny will drop for us. The commitment is always there.

"On Saturday we got beat by a better team on the day in Everton (in the 4-0 loss) but against Cardiff we showed we want to fight for the jersey.

Pirates look to end cup heartbreak

Orlando Pirates coach Roger de Sa says he is looking to make it third-time lucky, when the Buccaneers take on Platinum Stars in the final of the Telkom Knockout on Saturday.

"It's always great for the fans and for the players to be in a final," De Sa said as the Sea Robbers conclude their preparations ahead of the game.

"You have to get to a final to win the final. We haven't been training this whole week because we're thinking of losing."

De Sa will be under pressure to deliver the goods when the teams meet at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, after they were beaten by Stars in the final of the MTN8, before losing out to Egyptian outfit Al Ahly in the Caf Champions League last month.

The former goalkeeper, however, felt that Pirates deserved praise for reaching every final available to them so far this season.

"In both of our finals, we didn't play badly. We just hope that we can polish up here and there," De Sa said.

"It's important to take the positives (from pervious final defeats) and work with those positives."

Stars lifted the MTN8 title after 120 minutes failed to separate the teams, with the scores locked at 1-1. But Stars would go on to edge De Sa's team 3-1 on penalties.

De Sa added that the Soweto giants had put plenty of work into anticipation of another shootout, insisting though, that he hoped the game would not go that far.

"I hope it doesn't have to go that far, but if it does, I hope that we've done enough preparation to overcome that.

"It's not that we want to go to penalties. I don't think anyone takes out car insurance because they want to crash their car or have it stolen. You take out insurance in case... and we do the same. We practise penalties, we do it all the time."

De Sa shrugged off any suggestions that he and his team were feeling the heat from their supporters, who have seemingly grown tired of finishing second in major knockout competitions.

"Because we've had a full week of training without any games, we've been able to prepare properly. The pressure that we put on ourselves is greater than supporters, media, directors and whatever else.

"We know we can't just pitch up. We have a job to do."

In a week filled with denials of being favourites from both sets of players, Dikwena coach Allan Freese refused to deviate from the pattern, calling Stars "a little team" who had no right to be called favourites.

"Platinum Stars are a small team, how can we be favourites?" Freese said jokingly.

"Pirates have participated in bigger tournaments than we have. Saturday will be a new ball game. Yes we beat them in the last game, but to say we're going to go out there and beat them won't work.

"I'm going to say that we'll go out there and give it our best."

The Premier Soccer League announced on Thursday that the winner of the Knockout tournament would be awarded R4 million in prize money, while the runners-up would receive R1.5m.

Pirates look to end cup heartbreak

Orlando Pirates coach Roger de Sa says he is looking to make it third-time lucky, when the Buccaneers take on Platinum Stars in the final of the Telkom Knockout on Saturday.

"It's always great for the fans and for the players to be in a final," De Sa said as the Sea Robbers conclude their preparations ahead of the game.

"You have to get to a final to win the final. We haven't been training this whole week because we're thinking of losing."

De Sa will be under pressure to deliver the goods when the teams meet at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, after they were beaten by Stars in the final of the MTN8, before losing out to Egyptian outfit Al Ahly in the Caf Champions League last month.

The former goalkeeper, however, felt that Pirates deserved praise for reaching every final available to them so far this season.

"In both of our finals, we didn't play badly. We just hope that we can polish up here and there," De Sa said.

"It's important to take the positives (from pervious final defeats) and work with those positives."

Stars lifted the MTN8 title after 120 minutes failed to separate the teams, with the scores locked at 1-1. But Stars would go on to edge De Sa's team 3-1 on penalties.

De Sa added that the Soweto giants had put plenty of work into anticipation of another shootout, insisting though, that he hoped the game would not go that far.

"I hope it doesn't have to go that far, but if it does, I hope that we've done enough preparation to overcome that.

"It's not that we want to go to penalties. I don't think anyone takes out car insurance because they want to crash their car or have it stolen. You take out insurance in case... and we do the same. We practise penalties, we do it all the time."

De Sa shrugged off any suggestions that he and his team were feeling the heat from their supporters, who have seemingly grown tired of finishing second in major knockout competitions.

"Because we've had a full week of training without any games, we've been able to prepare properly. The pressure that we put on ourselves is greater than supporters, media, directors and whatever else.

"We know we can't just pitch up. We have a job to do."

In a week filled with denials of being favourites from both sets of players, Dikwena coach Allan Freese refused to deviate from the pattern, calling Stars "a little team" who had no right to be called favourites.

"Platinum Stars are a small team, how can we be favourites?" Freese said jokingly.

"Pirates have participated in bigger tournaments than we have. Saturday will be a new ball game. Yes we beat them in the last game, but to say we're going to go out there and beat them won't work.

"I'm going to say that we'll go out there and give it our best."

The Premier Soccer League announced on Thursday that the winner of the Knockout tournament would be awarded R4 million in prize money, while the runners-up would receive R1.5m.

Pirates look to end cup heartbreak

Orlando Pirates coach Roger de Sa says he is looking to make it third-time lucky, when the Buccaneers take on Platinum Stars in the final of the Telkom Knockout on Saturday.

"It's always great for the fans and for the players to be in a final," De Sa said as the Sea Robbers conclude their preparations ahead of the game.

"You have to get to a final to win the final. We haven't been training this whole week because we're thinking of losing."

De Sa will be under pressure to deliver the goods when the teams meet at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, after they were beaten by Stars in the final of the MTN8, before losing out to Egyptian outfit Al Ahly in the Caf Champions League last month.

The former goalkeeper, however, felt that Pirates deserved praise for reaching every final available to them so far this season.

"In both of our finals, we didn't play badly. We just hope that we can polish up here and there," De Sa said.

"It's important to take the positives (from pervious final defeats) and work with those positives."

Stars lifted the MTN8 title after 120 minutes failed to separate the teams, with the scores locked at 1-1. But Stars would go on to edge De Sa's team 3-1 on penalties.

De Sa added that the Soweto giants had put plenty of work into anticipation of another shootout, insisting though, that he hoped the game would not go that far.

"I hope it doesn't have to go that far, but if it does, I hope that we've done enough preparation to overcome that.

"It's not that we want to go to penalties. I don't think anyone takes out car insurance because they want to crash their car or have it stolen. You take out insurance in case... and we do the same. We practise penalties, we do it all the time."

De Sa shrugged off any suggestions that he and his team were feeling the heat from their supporters, who have seemingly grown tired of finishing second in major knockout competitions.

"Because we've had a full week of training without any games, we've been able to prepare properly. The pressure that we put on ourselves is greater than supporters, media, directors and whatever else.

"We know we can't just pitch up. We have a job to do."

In a week filled with denials of being favourites from both sets of players, Dikwena coach Allan Freese refused to deviate from the pattern, calling Stars "a little team" who had no right to be called favourites.

"Platinum Stars are a small team, how can we be favourites?" Freese said jokingly.

"Pirates have participated in bigger tournaments than we have. Saturday will be a new ball game. Yes we beat them in the last game, but to say we're going to go out there and beat them won't work.

"I'm going to say that we'll go out there and give it our best."

The Premier Soccer League announced on Thursday that the winner of the Knockout tournament would be awarded R4 million in prize money, while the runners-up would receive R1.5m.

Teams await World Cup draw fate

Thirty-two teams will learn their World Cup fate when the draw for Brazil's problem-plagued 2014 showpiece takes place on Friday as governing body Fifa plays down concerns over stadium delays.

Friday's draw will follow a ceremony starting at 6pm (Build-up starts at 5pm on SS3) and will involve some complex juggling to separate as far as possible teams from the same continent.

But some of the eight groups will have to contain two European sides, with the Old Continent having 13 of the 32 qualifiers.

The presence of all eight former champions – only surprise package Bosnia will be making their debut – could produce some ultra-tough groups.

Brazil could theoretically face two European former champions in the shape of, for example, France and Italy.

England coach Roy Hodgson, meanwhile, indicated where a team plays could be more important than whom they face as the team drawn second in Brazil's group faces a marathon travel schedule and having to play in sweltering heat in the north.

Those considerations mean European teams are likely to struggle while a South American side is likely to triumph, England legend Geoff Hurst predicted.

"There has to be some realism for the European team," said Hurst, who scored a hat-trick in the 1966 final win over Germany and will assist in Friday's draw.

"Brazil must be looked upon as favourites. Anyone wanting to win will have to beat Brazil to do it."

Despite fears over stadium delays, a host of stars insist Brazil will rise to the challenge.

"Everyone wants to come to the World Cup, where they will see the passion of Brazilians for football," said Ronaldo, who scored both goals in Brazil's 2002 final win over Germany.

"A month's delay won't jeopardise things. There is no chance an arena won't be ready – all will be ready for the World Cup."

Ronaldo also admitted the draw will be crucial.

"I think the rankings tell us who's the best right now. Being a traditional powerhouse doesn't mean to say you're going to win the World Cup," said the man who scored 15 goals in World Cup finals.

"You have to play good football and have a bit of luck too. Some of the big names aren't seeded and that's because they haven't performed that well over the last couple of years."

Last week's fatal accident at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo, in which two workers died, forced organisers to put back the stadium's completion date.

But Fifa president Sepp Blatter insisted he was confident the venue would still be able to host the opening match on June 12.

That would mean the stadium will have to undergo testing less than two months before the kick-off of the game which will feature the hosts and five-time world champions.

"We have received information it should be ready in mid-April," Blatter told reporters at the draw venue in Costa do Sauipe, north-eastern Brazil, in a final briefing before the eight groups are drawn.

"For the time being there is no Plan B," Blatter added, though secretary general Jerome Valcke later urged caution ahead of April's tests.

Aside from Sao Paulo, Curitiba is also running behind schedule and set for February completion while Cuiaba is on course for a late January finish, forcing Fifa to drop an initial firm December deadline for the completion of all 12 venues.

"All Fifa can do now is ask God, Allah, whoever, that no more accidents shall arise in connection with the World Cup. That is all we can do and we hope the reconstruction can start as soon as possible," said Blatter.

The Arena Corinthians stadium's fatal accident was the third to occur at World Cup venues in Brazil.

Valcke told AFP that Fifa had resolved to look at the overall glass as half full over venue delays, particularly in the context of Sao Paulo.

"The fact (a stadium) is not ready on December 31 but on January 15 is not fundamentally a problem," said Valcke.

"But if it's not January but March 15 it's more of a problem. That gives you less time to be sure things are working."

Brazil last hosted the World Cup in 1950 but in those days there were only 13 teams and none of the mass media coverage which accompanies the modern game.

The stadium delays and a price tag of an estimated $11bn have fomented public unrest and pressure groups have called for public protest of the kind which accompanied last June's Confederations Cup rehearsal.

Luis Fernandes, Brazil's deputy minister of sport, told AFP that "given the delay we shall have to accelerate preparations. It is too early to say how this will affect (Sao Paulo).

"Before the accident it was 97 percent complete. According to the information we have there was no significant damage to the structure."

Fernandes added that relations with Fifa had improved since Valcke caused a storm by suggesting on an early visit that Brazil needed a "kick up the backside".

He explained Brazil did not wish to be "ordered about – but at the same time recognises society's interest in celebrating the World Cup.

"Once Fifa recognised the importance of the Brazilian government for the event's success relations vastly improved.

Moyes demands response from United

David Moyes has demanded Manchester United stop their season from spiralling out of control when the struggling champions face Newcastle on Saturday.

United manager Moyes endured a dispiriting evening at Old Trafford on Wednesday as his former club Everton stole a 1-0 victory thanks to a late goal from Bryan Oviedo.

The shock defeat left Moyes' men languishing in ninth place in the Premier League and trailing leaders Arsenal by 12 points.

It was the latest setback in a troubled start to Moyes' reign following his appointment as Alex Ferguson's successor and left their hopes of retaining the title hanging by a slender thread.

United have already lost four times in the league this term after losing just five matches in the entire 38-game campaign last season, prompting some critics to claim the Scot is out of his depth at Old Trafford.

But Moyes remains convinced United can salvage a traumatic campaign if they get back on track quickly.

"I am really disappointed, but we go again, keep going and move on to the next game," Moyes told MUTV.

"That is the good thing here, there are always more games. We just didn't reach the standards we would have hoped to (against Everton), but we have a chance to go again."

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew believes Moyes will get it right eventually, but he knows the intense pressure on United could help the Magpies when they visit Manchester on Saturday.

"I think everybody knew that the first person to follow Alex, it was going to be very, very difficult," Pardew said.

"But he's a strong man and I think he can handle it, and there's a long, long way to go.

"There's going to be a little bit of pressure on them and we have got to try to capitalise on that and make it difficult for them."

United's struggles have added to the growing sense that Arsenal's surge to the top of the table could be the prelude to a first English title for the Gunners since 2004.

Arsene Wenger's side, 2-0 winners over Hull in midweek, are four points clear of second placed Chelsea.

They face a tough test against United's conquerers Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, but Arsenal's Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta is confident the Gunners' superb run of form has given them the belief they can last the pace.

"The difference to previous years is we are top of the league when by now we would be 10 or 12 points behind whoever was first before," he said.

"The confidence and atmosphere is different and we want to maintain that.

"Does it matter we don't have the experience of winning the title before? No - as long as you have the quality, the ambition and togetherness that we have, I think we are in a good position to do it."

Chelsea travel to Stoke, with Frank Lampard warning his teammates not to get complacent after back to back victories over Southampton and Sunderland.

Lampard, a scorer in the 4-3 midweek win at Sunderland, is pleased with Chelsea's improvement after a rocky patch but he said: "A lot of that is attitude and focus. We have got the squad, we have got the players, but we have to get ourselves up for every game.

"If we go up to Stoke with the wrong attitude we won't win, so it's up to us."

Manchester City, six points behind Arsenal in third place, travel to Southampton, who have slipped to eighth after three successive defeats.

City captain Vincent Kompany is hopeful a win at St Mary's will signal the start of a charge for the title from the 2012 champions.

"Now we go to Southampton and if we beat them then all of a sudden we've a lot of things in our hands again," Kompany said.

Fourth placed Liverpool, who host West Ham, look a strong contender to qualify for the Champions League after demolishing Norwich 5-1 in midweek and Reds midfielder Joe Allen admits the scintillating form of Luis Suarez holds the key to their challenge.

Uruguay forward Suarez scored four times against Norwich and Allen said: "That was a masterclass. There are not many teams in the world who would be able to cope with that kind of performance."

Fixtures

Saturday 
Crystal Palace v Cardiff
Liverpool v West Ham
Manchester United v Newcastle
Southampton v Manchester City
Stoke v Chelsea
Sunderland v Tottenham
West Brom v Norwich

Sunday
Arsenal v Everton
Fulham v Aston Villa

Monday
Swansea v Hull

'Madiba Magic' cast spell of success

It was on his inauguration day in 1994 that the concept of 'Madiba Magic' was born - the winning influence that Nelson Mandela engendered whenever he went to watch a South African sports team.

A soccer international against Zambia had been organised at Ellis Park in Johannesburg to celebrate the transition of power on May 10, 1994 but the South Africans were outplayed by their guests through a goalless first half in front of a 50,000 strong crowd on a day of celebration.

The ceremonies marking the handover of power had overrun at the Union Buildings in nearby Pretoria, meaning he missed the kick off but a massive roar was heard when his helicopter was seen overhead and Mandela emerged on the pitch at half-time.

Both teams were asked to line up again, as they had done in the pre-match formalities, and the break ran well over the standard 15 minutes as the new president was introduced to players and officials.

The effect was immediately both inspiring and intimidatory.

"The half-time was probably closer to 30 minutes than 15 but his presence electrified the stadium and energised the players," recalled goalkeeper Steve Crowley in an interview with Reuters on Friday, just hours after Mandela's death aged 95.

South Africa scored two goals within two minutes of the restart and went on to record their first ever win over an opponent who had previously held the upper hand over them.

"It was our most significant game then in international competition," Crowley added.

The mesmerising impact was quickly dubbed 'Madiba Magic' by the South African media. Madiba was Mandela's clan name and often used as a honorific to hail him or refer to him.

The power of the magic was no better exemplified than one year later at the same venue when South Africa beat New Zealand with a iconic extra-time drop goal to win the Rugby World Cup.

CROWD SEDUCED

Mandela's arrival on the field in a Springbok jersey before the match stunned the crowd, mostly made up of whites, some of whom still antagonistically waving the flag of the old Apartheid regime from the stands.

Within minutes his name was being chanted by a crowd seduced by the symbolism of a black president in the controversial colours of a team previously reserved for whites only.

Mandela took to wearing sporting uniforms frequently after that and for South Africa's only major football success he was clad in the country's colours as they won the 1996 African Nations Cup finals.

'Madiba Magic' was also used to seduce the members of Fifa's executive committee to help South Africa secure the rights to host the 2010 World Cup.

A beaming Mandela, by then no longer president, clasped his hands above his head like a prize fighter and then cradled the trophy like baby after South Africa was awarded the contest in Zurich 11 years ago.

It was hoped his last ever public appearance ahead of the opening game of the 2010 World Cup at Johannesburg's Soccer City would create the same effect. He looked frail as he waved to the crowd from the back of a golf cart.

South Africa's Siphiwe Tshabalala then scored with a stunning left-footed drive to give Bafana Bafana the lead but after Mandela left the stadium early to return home on a bitterly cold night, Mexico grabbed a late equaliser.

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Pirlo-less Juve ready for crucial week

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has called for focus as the champions prepare for life without key midfielder Andrea Pirlo ahead of crucial trips to Bologna and Galatasaray.

Juventus pulled clear of the Serie A pack for the first time this season last week when a 1-0 win over Udinese, coupled with Roma's fourth consecutive draw, gave Conte's men a three-point cushion over the Giallorossi.

However that win came at a cost – experienced international Pirlo limping out with knee ligament damage after 15 minutes and now expected to be sidelined at least until January.

Pirlo's absence will perhaps most be felt next Tuesday when Juve face Galatasaray in Istanbul, where a draw would secure the Serie A champions' ticket to the last 16 of the Champions League.

But Conte is not too concerned.

"I've got three eclectic players who could step in and play his position – (Arturo) Vidal, (Paul) Pogba and (Claudio) Marchisio," said Conte.

"Paul can easily slip in because he's a natural in that central role. But depending on the circumstances, I've yet to decide who will play in front of the defence."

Before their trip to Turkey, Juve will be looking for an easy three points which, if Roma concede defeat at Fiorentina, could give the Bianconeri a morale-boosting six-point lead at the top of the table.

With Bologna having won only once at home this season, Conte is expected to ring the changes and rest key players ahead of next week's European challenge.

But he said that didn't mean his side could take their eye off the ball.

"We need to keep focus," added Conte. "I will send out the team that I believe is required."

A win at Bologna could send Juve six points clear if Fiorentina claim all three points against Roma, who started the season with a record-setting 10 opening wins but have since stuttered in the absence of injured captain Francesco Totti.

Fiorentina sit in fifth spot and, having suffered three defeats to Roma last season – twice in the league and once in the Cup – atonement could be on the cards, says Serbian defender Nenad Tomovic.

Only three days after a thrilling 4-3 win over Verona, Tomovic said beating Roma would boost their Champions League hopes.

"It's time to make amends. It's not a decisive game for us, the championship still has a long way to go, but if we take another positive result on Sunday it will give a boost to our objective this season," he said.

Napoli, who sit third three points behind Roma, claimed a precious 4-2 away win over Lazio on Monday when Gonzalo Higuain got back to scoring ways with a brace for the Partenopei.

Rafael Benitez's men host Udinese on Saturday looking to avoid an upset that would threaten their four-point lead on Inter, who host Parma on Sunday with on-form striker Antonio Cassano returning to the San Siro for the first time since his departure last season.

Milan's 3-1 win over Catania last week was their first in six games and, thanks to results elsewhere, helped pushed the struggling Serie A giants up to eighth.

The Rossoneri, however, are still 20 points adrift of Juventus and 14 shy of Napoli in the first Champions League qualifying position.

Massimiliano Allegri's side face their second successive away trip, to struggling Livorno on Saturday, when Kaka has the chance to score his 100th goal for the club.

Catania, meanwhile, travel north to a resurgent Sampdoria with the sounds of angry fans probably still fresh.

The Sicilian side sit bottom of the table and their recent slump has prompted the ire of fans, 1000 or so of whom turned up to and interrupted training on Thursday after launching insults at the squad.

Fixtures

Friday
Bologna v Juventus

Saturday
Livorno v Milan
Napoli v Udinese

Sunday
Roma v Fiorentina
Cagliari v Genoa
Verona v Atalanta
Sampdoria v Catania
Sassuolo v Chievo
Torino v Lazio
Inter v Parma

Sampson named England women's coach

Mark Sampson has been appointed as the new head coach of the England Women's team, the Football Association announced on Friday.

The 31-year-old, who has signed a four-year contract, previously spent five years as manager of Bristol Academy in the Women's Super League.

Sampson succeeds Hope Powell, whose 15-year reign came to an end in August when she was sacked after England fell in the group phase at the European Championship in Sweden.

"Women's football in England is in a fantastic place right now, with the growth and development of the game in the last few years, and I am ready to give everything I have to build a team that every English supporter can be proud of," Sampson said.

Le Roy takes over as Congo coach

Claude Le Roy, who once labelled fellow Frenchmen coaching in Africa "Club Med tourists", will take charge of his eighth different national side after agreeing on a two-year contract with Congo.

French radio reported the 65-year-old, whose last job was in charge of neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, signed the deal with a target of qualifying the country for the 2015 African Nations Cup finals in Morocco.

Le Roy will be based in Brazzaville and replaces Kamel Djabour, who left the post after Congo failed to get past the group stage of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

The Frenchman, a vocal critic of foreigners who fly in and out of the African countries where they coach just for matches, has previously taken charge of Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana in Africa as well as Malaysia, Oman and Syria in Asia.

Falcao's return for Monaco delayed again

Monaco striker Radamel Falcao has not recovered from his thigh problem and will miss Sunday's home Ligue 1 game against second-bottom Ajaccio, the club said on Friday.

Falcao was ruled out of last weekend's match with what the club had called a "minor pain" and was expected to return to action for the midweek trip at Nice where third-placed Monaco won 3-0.

Coach Claudio Ranieri decided to "protect" his leading scorer, hoping to have him back for Sunday's game but Falcao had to cut short his training session on Friday.

"Radamel Falcao continues his rehabilitation from a thigh problem. While his situation is improving, he still feels some pain," Monaco said on their website (www.asm-fc.com).

"As a precaution, the club will let him return to competitive action when the results of clinical tests and further examinations will be normal."

It is not clear when Falcao, who has scored nine goals in 14 league matches, will be fit to return.

The format for the 2014 World Cup draw

A look at the format for the 2014 World Cup draw to be made from 6pm (Build-up starts at 5pm on SS3) on Friday:

Pot 1: (8 seeded teams): Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Switzerland

Pot 2: (7 teams): Algeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Chile, Ecuador

Pot 3: (8 teams): Australia, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, United States

Pot 4 (9 teams): Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, England, France, Greece, Holland, Italy, Portugal, Russia

Format

The draw will produce eight groups of four teams (A to H) for the first round group phase. Each group will consist of one team from each pot.

To draw a team from Pot 4 (the only one with nine teams) and place that nation in Pot 2 to ensure each pot has eight teams each.

The teams in Pot 1 will be placed automatically in position 1 for the groups in which they are drawn. According to Fifa, Brazil will automatically be placed in position 1 in Group A. The position of the other teams in the groups be classified 2, 3, 4 according to the draw.

Step 2: Pot 2 will feature teams from three confederations (Africa, South America and Europe). Fifa wants to separate as far as possible teams from the same continent, though with 13 European sides that will not be entirely possible.

Fifa have therefore warned that during the draw, it could occur that a group will be skipped in order for example of having Chile or Ecuador from Pot 2 drawn in the same group as a seeded South American team from Pot 1.

To avoid a group with three European teams, the Uefa representative randomly drawn into Pot 2 cannot be placed in the group including the four seeded European teams from Pot 1.

At the beginning of the draw, there will be a Pot X with the four South American seeded teams. One of these teams will be drawn into the group in which the European nation from Pot 2 will enter.

This European team will join this group and the other teams from Pot 2 will complete Groups A to H. At the conclusion there will be five groups out of the eight which will include two European teams.

2014 World Cup team-by-team guide

Ahead of Friday's group-stage draw for the 2014 World Cup finals, AFP Sport casts a glance over all 32 qualified nations:

ALGERIA

Coach: Vahid Halilhodzic

Algeria qualified for their fourth World Cup finals after beating Burkina Faso on away goals in a play-off. 'Les Fennecs', who were eliminated at the first hurdle at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, have never previously made it past the group stage at a World Cup and are likely to struggle badly in Brazil. Veteran Bosnian coach Vahid Halilhodzic, who qualified for the 2010 finals with the Ivory Coast but was sacked before the tournament in South Africa, has a team containing few established stars. However, skipper Madjid Bougherra leads from the back and there are talented players further forward, such as Sofiane Feghouli of Valencia and Ishak Belfodil of Inter Milan.

ARGENTINA

Coach: Alejandro Sabella

Argentina cruised through South American qualifying, topping the group by two points from Colombia after losing just twice, including in their final match in Uruguay after qualification had already been secured. World champions the last two times the World Cup was held in Latin America, in 1978 and 1986, Sabella's side must be serious contenders to triumph in the land of their bitter rivals. Their attack, led by Lionel Messi but also featuring world-class talent such as Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria, is as good as any in world football but there are concerns in defence and in goal, where regular first-choice Sergio Romero is currently out of favour at club level.

AUSTRALIA

Coach: Ange Postecoglou

Australia are appearing at their third consecutive World Cup finals and their fourth overall, but the Socceroos head to Brazil with modest expectations. They struggled to convince in Asian qualifying under German coach Holger Osieck, winning just three of eight matches in their final group, and he was fired after a 6-0 friendly defeat to France in October. He has been replaced by Postecoglou, a Greek-born Australian who previously took Brisbane Roar to consecutive A-League titles and who will hope for a respectable showing in Brazil before leading the team in the 2015 Asian Cup on home soil. Veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer recently retired from the international set-up, but Bayer Leverkusen's Robbie Kruse is one to watch from the new crop.

BELGIUM

Coach: Marc Wilmots

Hopes are high that the Red Devils can make a serious impression in what will be their first appearance at a major tournament finals since the 2002 World Cup. Under Marc Wilmots, who played at the 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cups, Belgium cruised through qualifying without losing a game and their squad is full of players starring in Europe's leading leagues, from Thibaut Courtois in goal to Vincent Kompany in central defence, Marouane Fellaini in midfield and the likes of Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Christian Benteke in attack. Belgians are understandably optimistic, but matching their previous best finish of fourth in 1986 is a big ask.

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

Coach: Safet Susic

Just two decades after gaining independence, Bosnia will be the only team in Brazil making their World Cup finals debut. Under Susic, who played for Yugoslavia at the 1982 and 1990 World Cups, Bosnia finally qualified for a major tournament after losing twice to Portugal in play-offs for a place at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. They finished ahead of Greece on goal difference, after netting 30 goals in 10 games, and they boast a fearsome attack, with Manchester City's Edin Dzeko and Stuttgart's Vedad Ibisevic supported by the creative talents of Zvjezdan Misimovic and Miralem Pjanic. Could make an impact with a favourable draw.

BRAZIL

Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari

The pressure on the host nation is immense as they look to go one better than 1950 when they finished as runners-up in the last World Cup to be held on Brazilian soil. Amid concern about performances, Mano Menezes was sacked late last year, with Scolari, the coach of Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning side, returning to the helm. And he led the Selecao to glory at the Confederations Cup on home soil earlier this year, with Brazil destroying reigning world champions Spain 3-0 in the final. The five-time previous winners can call on the likes of Thiago Silva and Neymar, although their squad perhaps lacks the depth of some of their rivals.

CAMEROON

Coach: Volker Finke

Veteran German Volker Finke took over in May and saw the Indomitable Lions through African qualifying, securing their place in Brazil with a 4-1 play-off victory against Tunisia last month. Cameroon have improved under Finke's charge but the current team is unlikely to rival the achievements of the side that reached the quarterfinals in 1990. Samuel Eto'o has come back to captain the team and is very much the talisman, although there is quality elsewhere in younger stars such as Nicolas N'Koulou and Alex Song.

CHILE

Coach: Jorge Sampaoli

Jorge Sampaoli replaced fellow Argentine Claudio Borghi as coach of La Roja and steered them safely through the end of their South American qualifying campaign, five wins and a draw seeing them finish third behind Argentina and Colombia. Sampaoli enjoyed great success at club level with Universidad de Chile before taking the national team job, and his team promise to be one of the best to watch in Brazil, just as Marcelo Bielsa's side was in 2010. Arturo Vidal of Juventus and Alexis Sanchez of Barcelona are the biggest stars in a good squad, and Chile were recently impressive winners in a friendly against England at Wembley.

COLOMBIA

Coach: Jose Pekerman

Colombia qualified comfortably behind Argentina in South American qualifying to reach their first World Cup finals since France 1998. Argentine coach Pekerman has developed an attractive side with Radamel Falcao leading the line but with the likes of Carlos Bacca, James Rodriguez and Jackson Martinez also featuring. Los Cafeteros have never previously made a major impression at a World Cup finals but they are currently ranked fourth in the world and are considered dangerous outsiders by many heading to Brazil. Pekerman coached his home country to the quarterfinals in Germany in 2006.

COSTA RICA

Coach: Jorge Luis Pinto

Costa Rica finished second behind the United States in the final CONCACAF qualifying group to return to the World Cup after missing out on a place in South Africa in 2010. Maverick Fulham forward Bryan Ruiz captains 'Los Ticos', who will do very well to progress beyond the group stage. Coach Pinto is a Colombian, but has close links to the Central American nation, having enjoyed success there at club level in the last decade. He previously took charge of the team for a spell during the qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup.

CROATIA

Coach: Niko Kovac

Croatia, with its population of just over four million, has regularly punched above its weight in international football, finishing third at France '98 and twice reaching the last eight at the European Championship. The current squad boasts the likes of Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic, although the Bayern Munich striker faces a suspension after being sent off in the decisive play-off win against Iceland. Croatia have other problems too, as their erratic form in qualifying indicated. They finished a distant second in their group behind Belgium before German-born former Croatia captain Kovac replaced Igor Stimac to lead them past Iceland.

ECUADOR

Coach: Reinaldo Rueda

Ecuador qualified for their third World Cup finals after finishing ahead of Uruguay on goal difference to take the final automatic berth from South America. However, while Reinaldo Rueda's side were excellent at home, they failed to win any of their qualifiers away from Quito, where the altitude gives them a huge advantage. They were also shaken by the sudden death of striker Chucho Benitez in July, but they will go to Brazil with a squad captained by Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia and featuring powerful forward Felipe Caicedo. Coach Rueda is a Colombian who took Honduras to the 2010 World Cup finals.

ENGLAND

Coach: Roy Hodgson

England came through qualifying unbeaten, scoring 31 goals, but rarely have expectations surrounding the team been lower going into a major tournament finals. The 1966 winners, who have reached at least the last 16 at each of the last four World Cups, have concerns in goal, where first-choice 'keeper Joe Hart has struggled for form recently. And recent friendly defeats to Chile and a Germany team missing a host of established stars suggest that Hodgson's side will struggle when it really matters against top-class opposition in Brazil. There are good players, though, from Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge up front to Arsenal's Jack Wilshere in midfield.

FRANCE

Coach: Didier Deschamps

After coming second behind reigning world and European champions Spain in their qualifying group, France seemed set to miss a major tournament finals for the first time in two decades when they lost 2-0 in Ukraine in the first leg of their play-off. Failure would have been just the latest chapter in a rather gloomy recent history for Les Bleus, but a superb performance in a 3-0 second-leg victory booked their place in Brazil. Deschamps, who captained France to glory at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, must try to develop young talents such as Raphael Varane and Paul Pogba and get the best out of Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema. However, France will settle for a respectable showing as they build towards Euro 2016, which they will host.

GERMANY

Coach: Joachim Loew

Since coming third at the 2006 World Cup on home soil, Germany have continued to fall just short of major tournament glory under Loew. Runners-up at Euro 2008, beaten semifinalists at the 2010 World Cup and at Euro 2012, they are expected to feature prominently again in Brazil. Germany cruised through qualifying, dropping just two points and scoring 36 goals in 10 games. And the three-time world champions have a wealth of attacking options, including Mario Goetze, Marco Reus, Thomas Mueller and Julian Draxler. The defence is more of a concern, although in Manuel Neuer they have one of the world's finest goalkeepers.

GHANA

Coach: Kwesi Appiah

Ghana qualified for their third consecutive World Cup finals by beating Egypt 7-3 on aggregate in the African play-offs. The Black Stars memorably reached the quarterfinals in South Africa before losing on penalties to Uruguay and Appiah will call on some familiar faces for the finals in Brazil. Asamoah Gyan and Michael Essien are still there, while brothers Andre and Jordan Ayew have returned after a spell away from the national team and German-born Kevin-Prince Boateng has come out of international retirement. Doubts surround a team that lost in the semifinals at this year's Africa Cup of Nations, but they could reach the knockout stages with the right draw.

GREECE

Coach: Fernando Santos

The 2004 European champions were characteristically difficult to break down in qualifying as they beat Romania in a play-off after finishing behind Bosnia-Herzegovina on goal difference in their group. They concede few goals, but they don't score many either and rely on the talents in front of goal of Olympiakos striker Kostas Mitroglou. Greece have not made it past the group stage in either of their two previous World Cup finals appearances, so will be hoping to make it third time lucky under their Portuguese coach Santos.

HONDURAS

Coach: Luis Fernando Suarez

Honduras finished four points ahead of Mexico to take the final automatic qualifying berth in the CONCACAF zone after a campaign which featured a win away to the Mexicans at the Azteca stadium. The Central American nation of just over eight million people are through to their third World Cup finals, and second in a row, with Suarez following in the footsteps of his fellow Colombian Reinaldo Rueda, who took 'Los Catrachos' to South Africa in 2010. The squad features a handful of European-based players, such as Celtic left-back Emilio Izaguirre and Wilson Palacios of Stoke City.

IRAN

Coach: Carlos Queiroz

Iran are Asia's top-ranked side and won their final qualifying group ahead of South Korea and Uzbekistan. Under Queiroz, they are through to their fourth World Cup finals and first since Germany in 2006. Queiroz, who took his native Portugal to the last 16 in South Africa in 2010, has a squad made up largely of domestic-based players, led by the captain Javad Nekounam, once of Osasuna in Spain. On an international level, 'Team Melli's' most recognisable name now is probably the Fulham midfielder Ashkan Dejagah. Iran look set to struggle once again to progress beyond the group stage.

ITALY

Coach: Cesare Prandelli

Euro 2012 runners-up Italy cruised through qualifying unbeaten and will feature at a 14th consecutive World Cup finals in Brazil. Prandelli has done a fine job since taking on the team in the wake of their poor showing at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, when they failed to make it out of the group stage. Prandelli maintains a strong Juventus influence in his side, with veteran Andrea Pirlo, who will be 35 come June, still the main source of creativity in the middle. Italy's chances of equalling Brazil's tally of five World Cup crowns might in large part depend on Prandelli's ability to get the best out of Mario Balotelli, although there is hope that Fiorentina striker Giuseppe Rossi can stay fit and make an impact.

IVORY COAST

Coach: Sabri Lamouchi

Former French international Lamouchi has yet to truly convince as coach of the Elephants, who were unbeaten in qualifying but endured some nervy moments in their decisive play-off against Senegal. This will be a third successive World Cup finals for the Ivorians, and they will be hoping to finally get beyond the group stage after being hampered by difficult draws in 2006 and in 2010. It may well be the last chance for the golden generation of Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure, who notably lost the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations final on penalties to Zambia, to impress at a major tournament, although there are talented players coming through, including Serge Aurier and Wilfried Bony.

JAPAN

Coach: Alberto Zaccheroni

Japan will be appearing at their fifth successive World Cup, and will be looking to build on impressive recent performances at major tournaments. They reached the last 16 at the 2010 World Cup and then won the Asian Cup in 2011 and this year's East Asian Cup, and the 'Samurai Blue' eased through qualifying under former AC Milan coach Zaccheroni. They have outstanding quality in midfield, including captain Makoto Hasebe, of Nuremberg, CSKA Moscow's Keisuke Honda and Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa, but are a little short in other areas.

MEXICO

Coach: Miguel Herrera

Mexico will be appearing at their sixth straight finals, although they needed a play-off win against New Zealand to make it to Brazil after enduring a disastrous qualifying campaign. 'El Tri' only won twice and scored just seven goals in their final 10-game CONCACAF group, and there were three changes of coach before Herrera eventually steered the side through. Herrera, who has been in charge of Club America, will now stay in charge of the national team as Mexico, who won Olympic gold at London 2012, aim to reach at least the last 16. Herrera used a squad of domestic-based players for the New Zealand play-off but can also call on foreign-based stars such as Javier Hernandez and Giovani dos Santos. He must also try to convince Real Sociedad's Carlos Vela to join the squad.

NETHERLANDS

Coach: Louis van Gaal

The beaten finalists in 2010 cruised through qualifying, dropping just two points and scoring 34 goals. That was a relief for Van Gaal, who returned for a second spell in charge of the 'Oranje' last year after failing to qualify for the 2002 finals. The Netherlands have passed largely under the radar ahead of Brazil, but there is plenty of quality at Van Gaal's disposal. Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder are still important members of the squad, while others such as Kevin Strootman of Roma emerge.

NIGERIA

Coach: Stephen Keshi

Nigeria may have the best chance of all the African sides heading to Brazil. The Super Eagles won the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year in South Africa and then eased past Ethiopia in a play-off to qualify for the finals. Keshi, who also won the Cup of Nations as a player in 1994, has done a terrific job in difficult circumstances, including not being paid for several months. With a squad featuring Premier League based players John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses, Nigeria will look to match their previous best performance of reaching the last 16 in 1994 and 1998.

PORTUGAL

Coach: Paulo Bento

For the third consecutive major tournament, Portugal needed a play-off to qualify. Bento's side, inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo, beat Sweden over two legs last month to book their spot in Brazil. In Ronaldo, they have arguably the best player in the world just now, but Bento's squad lacks strength in depth and it remains to be seen which Portugal turn up in Brazil. Will it be the side that reached the semifinals of the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2012, or will they perform more like the team that disappointed in South Africa in 2010? That said, Portugal have pushed neighbours Spain close before eventually losing at each of their last two tournament appearances.

RUSSIA

Coach: Fabio Capello

Having qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 2002 by topping their group ahead of Portugal, Capello's side must now try to do what no Russian team has achieved since the break-up of the Soviet Union and reach the knockout stages. Capello, who guided England to the last 16 of the World Cup in South Africa in 2010, has been in negotiations to extend his contract with the Russian team as they build towards the 2018 finals on home soil. This Russia team's success so far has been built around a solid defence, featuring goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev and his CSKA Moscow colleagues Sergei Ignashevich and Aleksei Berezutski.

SPAIN

Coach: Vicente Del Bosque

Spain are the reigning world champions and winners of the last two European Championships, so will head to Brazil with reason to believe they can see off the hosts Brazil and the other contenders to triumph again. They were beaten 3-0 by Brazil in the final of this year's Confederations Cup, though, and key players from recent years, such as Xavi Hernandez, are on the wane. Goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas has lost his place at Real Madrid, but plenty of others are still very much at their peak, including Sergio Ramos, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets. And Del Bosque has thus far proven adapt at integrating new faces into the squad.

SOUTH KOREA

Coach: Hong Myung-Bo

South Korea stumbled through qualifying, but they eventually edged past Uzbekistan on goal difference to reach their eighth consecutive World Cup finals. Hong Myung-Bo, the country's most capped player and winner of the Bronze Ball in the 2002 World Cup as South Korea reached the semifinals on home soil, was appointed as coach in June to replace Choi Kang-Hee. There will be a large contingent of domestic-based players in his squad in Brazil, but the star man is Son Heung-Min of Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. South Korea will do well to match their run to the last 16 in 2010.

SWITZERLAND

Coach: Ottmar Hitzfeld

The Swiss qualified for the finals from probably the weakest European group, finishing top despite being held to draws by Cyprus and Iceland. This will be their second World Cup finals under Hitzfeld - in 2010 in South Africa, they beat Spain in their opening game and yet failed to make it out of their group. With a favourable draw, they will hope to progress this time, with Hitzfeld able to call on the likes of Napoli's Gokhan Inler and Xherdan Shaqiri of Bayern Munich.

UNITED STATES

Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann

The USA turned to Klinsmann, who won the World Cup with West Germany in 1990 and coached his unified country to the semifinals on home soil in 2006, to lead them to a seventh successive finals. They finished top in CONCACAF qualifying and also won this year's Gold Cup but they will do well to match their previous best performance of reaching the quarterfinals in 2002. Klinsmann's team contains established European-based names such as Tim Howard, Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones.

URUGUAY

Coach: Oscar Tabarez

A World Cup in Brazil will be special for Uruguay, who famously beat their neighbours in the decisive game at the Maracana to win the title in 1950. The current team are unlikely to match that remarkable achievement, but Tabarez's side did reach the semifinals in South Africa in 2010 before winning the Copa America in Argentina in 2011. 'La Celeste' struggled in qualifying, though, finishing fifth in South America and needing to beat Jordan in a play-off to go through. Tabarez, who these days walks with a stick, will lean on the world-class quality of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani in attack.