Scout Notes – Euro 2012 Friendlies

David Silva spares Spain’s blushes with a late winner against China. Cesare Prandelli is considering changes to Italy’s defence in light of the 3-0 loss to Russia, Giovanni Trapattoni has decided on his starting XI to face Croatia next Sunday, while Johan Elmander hands Sweden a boost by returning to training:

Spain 1 China 0

Vicente Del Bosque started with Raul Albiol alongside Sergio Ramos in the heart of defence last night as Spain scrambled to a 1-0 win. Alvaro Arbeloa and Jordi Alba were the full-backs and the latter, priced at 6.5 in the McDonald’s game, looks the cheapest route into a backline that has now conceded just a single goal in their last four matches.

Up front, Alvaro Negredo was handed the central role before making way for Fernando Torres at the break, while David Silva and Santi Cazorla started on the flanks. Cazorla has now begun all three of Spain’s friendlies over the last couple of weeks and looks an intriguing prospect for those willing to take a punt – classified as a midfielder, he comes in at just 7.0 and has a mere 0.6% ownership.

Andres Iniesta made his first appearance over the recent friendlies and climbed off the bench to set up Silva for the only goal of the game, as the defending champions warmed up for their opener with Italy next Sunday by chalking up their fourth straight victory.

Spain Starting XI: Casillas (Valdes 46); Arbeloa, Ramos (Pique 56), Albiol, Alba; Xavi (Navas 46), Busquets (Iniesta 46), Alonso; Silva, Negredo (Torres 46), Cazorla (Mata 68).

Other News

Italy boss Cesare Prandelli has hinted he is prepared to make changes to his defensive set-up after the 3-0 friendly humiliation at the hands of Russia. Italy had the most resilient defence of any side in qualification and conceded just two goals but their manager clearly has no qualms reassessing his options at the back, with the Spain clash just six days away:

You could see the fragility of the team when we went behind and I was surprised by the defence. I am forced to try something, even if i haven’t got much time, to give some security at the back. After conceding the opener, it was as if we collapsed. We’ve got to figure out if this is a psychological or physical issue. When Russia had the ball wide, we were under serious pressure.

Further press reports suggest a move to a 3-5-2 formation could be on the cards, with four of Juventus’ title-winning defence featuring: Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini could line up in front of Gianluigi Buffon in goal. Christian Maggio may move to the right of midfield, while Federico Balzaretti and Emanuele Giaccherini could battle it out for a role on the opposite flank– Maggio and Balzaretti would go up in our Fantasy reckoning if this proves to be the case, with both classified as defenders in the McDonald’s game.

Giovanni Trapattoni has revealed his starting XI for tonight’s game with Hungary will also start the Republic of Ireland’s opener with Croatia next Sunday. With Shay Given and John O’Shea both fit and available, Trapattoni admitted that, unless there were “strange circumstances” he will keep to the same line-up:

Why should I announce this team now? It is an easy answer. It is the team that allowed us to achieve qualification, they are in good form and we shouldn’t change. We can play with our eyes closed. If we need to change, the other players can play the same way, but I couldn’t change because all of these players are doing very well.

Johan Elmander participated in a group warm-up for the first time since having the plaster removed from a fractured foot. The former Bolton man has failed to feature in Sweden’s friendlies thus far, with Markus Rosenberg – priced 4.5 in the McDonald’s game – leading the line in the recent 3-2 win over Iceland. Elmander also took part in some jogging and ball work, though will perhaps need to prove his fitness in Tuesday’s friendly against Serbia to be in the running for the opener against Ukraine in a week’s time.