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 Bilicโs 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 eveningโs match against Italy. The former Arsenal man, classified as a midfielder in the McDonaldโs game and priced at 8.5, rewarded his managerโs 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 sideโs main goal threat, firing five attempts, while David Silva begun on the opposite flank and provided the assist for Fabregasโ goal just minutes after his side went behind. Up next for Del Bosqueโs 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 Spainโs 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 โ who is classified as a defender in the McDonaldโs game โ started on the right of the midfield five. Elsewhere in midfield, Prandelli handed Emanuele Giacherrini (priced at 5.5 in the McDonaldโs 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, Balotelliโs starting role for Thursdayโs 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 Azzurriโs 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 Trapattoniโs side had chalked up 11 clean sheets in their previous 14 matches prior to last nightโs 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 sideโs 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 McDonaldโs game, with six recovered balls also boosting his score. Aiden McGeadyโs 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 Bilicโs starting lineup prior to last nightโs 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. Srnaโs 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 McDonaldโs 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 โ 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 McDonaldโs 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 McDonaldโs game with over 34% ownership but, with those Spain and Italy clashes to follow, he – like Mandzukic – may struggle to replicate his returns.
