A weekend of friendlies got underway last night as Russia and Croatia took to the field against Uruguay and Estonia respectively. Dick Advocaat’s side were held at home by the Luis Suarez-inspired visitors, while Slaven Bilic saw his team cruise past Estonia, despite a handful of their main men being rested:
Russia 1 Uruguay 1
With Fantasy managers hoping to gain some insight into each national managers’ first-team plans, Dick Advocaat sprung a couple of surprises for the home game against Uruguay. The likes of Aleksandr Kerzhakov was a second half sub, with Pavel Pogrebnyak handed the chance as a lone forward, while popular Fantasy picks such as Alan Dzagoev and Igor Akinfeev failed to feature at all – the Uefa website claiming the former is injured.
Russia went behind to a Luis Suarez goal after some shoddy defending, before Kerzhakov grabbed a somewhat fortuitous equaliser as a poor game frittered out to a draw.
Russia Starting XI: Malafeev, Ignashevich, Berezutsky (Sharonov 46), Aniukov, Zhirkov (Kombarov 69), Zurianov (Glushakov 77), Denisov, Shirokov, Izmailov (Kokorin 77), Arshavin, Pogrebnyak (Kerzakhov 46)
Croatia 3 Estonia 1
While Croatia’s starting XI for the 3-1 win against Estonia was filled with plenty squad players, Slaven Bilic at least gave a pre-match indication of his thinking, going on to say:
Definitely, there will be surprises in the first XI. It will not be the team which will go out against Ireland in the first match in Poznan. Tomorrow we will play guys who still need to earn a spot in the team. I will give them a chance.
Both Darijo Srna and Luka Modric were given the night off, though the dilemma for Fantasy managers up front still remains, with Nikica Jelavic and Ivica Olic also playing no part in the proceedings. The quartet’s abence failed to stop Croatia racking up the goals, with Vedran Corluka, Ognjen Vukojevic and Nikola Kalinic all finding the net.
Croatia Starting XI: Subacic; Corluka (Vrsalijko 80), Schildenfeld (Simunic 46), Vida, Strinic, Ilicevic (Rakitic 60), Perisic (Perisic 46), Dujmovic (Vukojevic 46) , Badelj, Eduardo (Mandzukic 60), Kalinic
Other News
Damien Perquis remains a doubt for co-hosts Poland as the opener edges nearer. The centre-half fractured an elbow back in March and the Polish fitness staff admitted they “are not 100%” convinced over his fitness. Perquis is likely to be given a run-out against Slovakia today in order to be assessed, with the final squad to be revealed the following day.
Tomas Rosicky has stepped up his recovery from a calf problem. Owned by 22% of Fantasy managers in the McDonald’s game, the Czech midfielder has been limited to gym work this week but joined his team mate for a spot of running yesterday, though today’s friendly with Israel may come too soon.
Italy began their preparations with a 70-minute game against Serie D side Virtus Vecomp Verona. While the 6-1 win was hardly a surprise, it was intriguing to see Cesare Prandelli trial a 4-3-2-1 formation with Sebastian Giovinco and Antonio Cassano fielded behind Antonio Di Natale. The trio all found the net in the first half and, with subs Antonio Nocerino and Fabio Borini also grabbing goals, the options up front could prove tricky for Fantasy managers, with Prandelli admitting:
All our strikers are proving themselves worthy of a call-up and I could take them all. We could always leave an extra defender out.
Giovanni Trapattoni has already rolled out his lineup to play Bosnia later today. The Republic of Ireland boss has rested Shay Given and John O’Shea as both are carrying minor injuries, while Darron Gibson and James McClean have been handed the chance to impress, with Keith Andrews and Aiden McGeady dropping to the bench:
Republic of Ireland Starting XI: Westwood; McShane, St Ledger, Dunne, Ward; Duff, Gibson, Whelan, McClean; Keane, Doyle.
Roy Hodgson has also given some indication as to who will feature for England this evening. The former West Brom boss admitted that Steven Gerrard, Andy Carroll, Scott Parker and Robert Green will all start against Norway. Hodgson will be without Glen Johnson, as the right-back is currently nursing an infected toe, while Danny Welbeck training for a small time on his time yesterday as he continues to recover from an ankle problem.
