The out-of-position midfielders stood out yet again in the third day of Euro 2012 action. Cesc Fabregas notched for Spain in the 1-1 draw with Italy, while Mario Mandzukic bagged a brace for Croatia as Slaven Bilic’s men got their Group C campaign off to the perfect start against Republic of Ireland…

Spain 1 Italy 1
Vicente Del Bosque sprung a major surprise by handing Cesc Fabregas the chance to lead the line and fielding a side without a recognised forward in yesterday evening’s match against Italy. The former Arsenal man, classified as a midfielder in the McDonald’s game and priced at 8.5, rewarded his manager’s faith by notching the equaliser before making way for Fernando Torres. El Nino hardly boosted his chances of a first-team place with another lacklustre display, missing a couple of straightforward chances to grab the three points for the defending champions.

Andres Iniesta started on the left of the front three and was his side’s main goal threat, firing five attempts, while David Silva begun on the opposite flank and provided the assist for Fabregas’ goal just minutes after his side went behind. Up next for Del Bosque’s side is a game against Republic of Ireland on Thursday and, with many Fantasy managers ready to wield their group stage wildcard ahead of Matchday two, plenty will be loading up on Spain’s assets for a match they will be expected to win comfortably. The result also means Spain can ill-afford rest and rotation over their final two games, meaning Del Bosque could well decide not to gamble on many of his fringe players as he looks to clinch a place in the knockout stages.

Cesare Prandelli changed systems after a 3-0 friendly defeat by Russia and rolled out a 3-5-2 formation for the Spanish showdown. Roma midfielder Daniel De Rossi started at the back and was flanked by Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, while Christian Maggio – who is classified as a defender in the McDonald’s game – started on the right of the midfield five. Elsewhere in midfield, Prandelli handed Emanuele Giacherrini (priced at 5.5 in the McDonald’s game) his debut for the national side on the left, while Thiago Motta was the furthest forward of the five.

Mario Balotelli fluffed his lines when handed a gilt-edged chance to score for the Azzurri; with replacement Antonio Di Natale finding the net just three minutes after climbing off the bench, Balotelli’s starting role for Thursday’s showdown with Croatia could well be under threat. Similar to Spain, Fantasy faith in Italy will be strong for their final couple of group games, with 8.0 priced Antonio Cassano perhaps affording the safest route into the Azzurri’s frontline; given that he has just 1.5% ownership, the Milan forward could prove to be a strong differential.

Republic of Ireland 1 Croatia 3
Giovanni Trapattoni’s side had chalked up 11 clean sheets in their previous 14 matches prior to last night’s opener but were no match for a rampant Croatia. The Republic of Ireland boss rolled out his expected starting XI with Kevin Doyle partnering Robbie Keane up top, but it was 4.0 priced Keith Andrews who was his side’s main goal threat, with seven attempts over the 90 minutes. Sean St Ledger grabbed the goal and picked up an eight point return in the McDonald’s game, with six recovered balls also boosting his score. Aiden McGeady’s set-piece duties helped the winger to an assist after St Ledger nodded home his free-kick but with Spain and Italy up next, many Fantasy managers will be shipping out their Irish contingent and looking elsewhere for alternatives.

There were many question marks against Slaven Bilic’s starting lineup prior to last night’s kick-off. In the end, the Croatia boss opted for Darijo Srna and Ivan Strinic at full-back and rolled out a midfield diamond, affording both a chance to bomb forward. Srna’s Fantasy owners will be somewhat frustrated, though; classified as a midfielder and coming in at 7.5, a move back from his usual place on the right of midfield lessens his appeal, though he still managed three shots and, having created two goalscoring opportunities, picked up an assist. Strinic, on the other hand, looks a decent squad-filler as a 4.0 defender option in the McDonald’s game after getting the nod ahead of Danijel Pranjic.

Ivan Rakitic and Ivan Perisic started on the right and left of the diamond respectively, with Luka Modric playing in a more advanced central position. Rakitic had four shots – the most of any Croatia player, while Mario Mandzukic rewarded the 1.3% of Fantasy who snapped up his services by bagging a double and a 13 point return in the McDonald’s game. Classified as a midfielder yet playing up front, Mandzukic proved an outstanding out-of-position candidate and made a mockery of his 6.0 price tag, while Nikica Jelavic also got amongst the goals. Coming in at a mere 5.0, the Everton forward is the second most popular forward in the McDonald’s game with over 34% ownership but, with those Spain and Italy clashes to follow, he – like Mandzukic – may struggle to replicate his returns.