Injuries aren’t a problem; they’re an opportunity. Today’s team news prior to the last eight ties may have robbed us Fantasy Managers of Elano and Uruguay’s Godin but, on the flipside, their absence has opened the way for a number of new names to force their way into our lineups…
The day started with the news that Brazil will go into their lip-smacking clash with Holland without the twinkling toes of Elano in their midfield. The former City man is ruled out with the ankle injury sustained against the Ivory Coast on Tuesday and there are fears that he may have kicked his last ball in the tournament. Certainly the prognosis from Brazil’s medical staff doesn’t sound encouraging. According to team doctor Jose Luiz Runco…
“He can walk and run without changing direction. The problem is the impact, when he puts weight on it…The bone is swollen inside. He could be better in a few days, a week or a month. We still hope he can play next week but I can’t say that categorically. He is working intensely so we have to see if nature can give a helping hand.”
Elano’s absence is a bitter pill for both Brazil and his many Fantasy owners. Two goals in the group stages saw Elano emerge as a key target in midfield but he is now on the verge of a McFIFA price drop having seen over seven thousand sales in the round. Dani Alves will likely continue to deputise in Elano’s absence and, with the prospects of keeping his place should Brazil progress, he is now rapidly emerging as a Fantasy target for the next round and beyond. Alves is classified as a defender in the McFIFA game but has brought in 5 attacking bonus points in his last two matches in his role in midfield. He is also a considerable threat from direct free-kicks.
In Friday’s other last eight tie, Uruguay have lost the services of Villareal defender Diego Godin for the clash with Ghana. Godin suffered a thigh injury in the second round tie with South Korea and was duly subbed at half-time. The South American’s coach Oscar Tabarez admitted that Godin would not be 100% fit and will therefore turn to Mauricio Victorino to deputise. This hands us Fantasy Managers a new budget defensive option for the next round with Victorino available for just 3.2 in the McFIFA game. In addition Tabarez revealed that he will make one tactical change to his midfield with budget fantasy favourite Alvaro Pereira making way for Alvaro Fernandez. Pereira has been a popular fantasy signing, he is the top scorer in the Uruguay midfield and boasts 18% ownership. Fernandez now comes in as an option with a price tag of just 3.8.
Finally, opponents Ghana are set to be boosted by the availability of both Kevin-Prince Boateng and striker Asamoah Gyan. There were plenty of stories suggesting that Boateng would make Friday’s match earlier this week while Gyan has stated that he expects to be in contention.