Sergio Aguero‘s (£11.8m) chances of significant pitch-time in Double Gameweek 32 continues to be boosted by Gabriel Jesus‘ (£9.9m) exploits with Brazil.
The Argentinian is enjoying a rest over the international break while his direct competition is involved with his country.
Meanwhile, Raúl Jiménez’s (£6.8m) role in Mexico’s latest win means we should be tracking his minutes on Wednesday.
In this Scout Notes article, we take a look at the international friendlies and African Cup of Nations qualifying matches from Saturday.
International friendlies
Brazil 1-1 Panama
- Ederson (£5.6m) – 90 minutes
- Richarlison (£6.5m) – 90 minutes
- Roberto Firmino (£9.2m) – 60 minutes
- Gabriel Jesus (£9.9m) – 30 minutes
- Felipe Anderson (£7.2m) – 18 minutes
- Alisson (£6.0m) – 0 minutes
- Danilo (£5.0m) – 0 minutes
- Fabinho (£5.5m) – 0 minutes
Aguero has enjoyed an international break off, team-mate Jesus recorded 30 minutes in a friendly with Panama. The game took place in Portugal so there should be no jetlag issues for the striker when he returns but he is likely to play a bigger role against the Czech Republic on Tuesday.
Roberto Firmino (£9.2m) was the man who led Brazil’s line for the first 60 minutes before Jesus replaced him. Richarlison (£6.5m) played the whole 90 minutes on the right flank of a front three. Felipe Anderson (£7.2m) joined the fray in the 72nd minute for his first cap since 2015.
Ederson (£5.6m) was handed the nod between the sticks while Alisson (£6.0m), Danilo (£5.0m) and Fabinho (£5.5m) were unused substitutes.
Mexico 3-1 Chile
- Raúl Jiménez (£6.8m) – 75 minutes
- Javier ‘Hernandez’ Chicharito (£6.1m) – 15 minutes
Wolves striker Jiménez played 75 minutes for Mexico on Saturday to cause some concern for his owners ahead of Double Gameweek 32.
There are already suggestions that Nuno Espirito Santo could rotate his side in the next round of fixtures to prepare for the FA Cup semi-final against Watford.
Furthermore, Mexico are playing both of their matches in California during this international break, which means their Premier League players will have to readjust once they have played in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Jiménez did manage to get some penalty practice in, scoring a spot-kick against Chile, but his owners will be hoping it’s Javier ‘Hernandez’ Chicharito (£6.1m) who starts against Paraguay, so the Wolves man can get some rest.
The West Ham forward was the one to replace Jiménez against Chile, getting 15 minutes of pitch-time.
AFCON 2019 qualifying
Senegal 2-0 Madagascar
- Idrissa Gana Gueye (£4.7m) – 90 minutes
- Sadio Mané (£10.0m) – 90 minutes
- Cheikhou Kouyaté (£4.7m) – 0 minutes
With qualification for AFCON 2019 already wrapped up, it was a routine 2-0 win for Senegal over Madagascar on Saturday.
Sadio Mané (£10.0m) and Idrissa Gana Gueye (£4.7m) started the match while Cheikhou Kouyaté (£4.7m) was an unused substitute.
Senegal now have a friendly against Mali on Tuesday.
Cameroon 3-0 Comoros
- André-Franck Zambo Anguissa (£4.4m) – 90 minutes
- Gaëtan Bong (£4.4m) – 0 minutes
Having returned to the Fulham starting XI against Liverpool in Blank Gameweek 31, André-Franck Zambo Anguissa (£4.4m) played 90 minutes for Cameroon as they beat Comoros 3-0 on Saturday.
Brighton full-back Gaëtan Bong (£4.4m) remained on the bench for his country’s only match of the international break. Both he and Zambo Anguissa are set to return to their clubs now.
Burundi 1-1 Gabon
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m) – 90 minutes
- Bruno Ecuele Manga (£4.4m) – 90 minutes
Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m) could not help his country book a place at this summer’s African Cup of Nations tournament. He played a full 90 minutes but could not find the net, which meant Gabon only drew with Burundi, when they needed to win.
Cardiff centre-back Bruno Ecuele Manga (£4.4m) also lasted the whole night in defence.
This was Gabon’s only match of the international break, so both players should be back with their clubs shortly.
Ghana 1-0 Kenya
- Christian Atsu (£5.1m) – 90 minutes
- Victor Wanyama (£4.9m) – 90 minutes
- Jordan Ayew (£5.7m) – 75 minutes
- Jeffrey Schlupp (£4.5m) – 0 minutes
Those considering Crystal Palace man Jeffrey Schlupp (£4.5m) for their Double Gameweek 32 Free Hit squad will be encouraged by his lack of involvement for Ghana against Kenya.
Christian Atsu (£5.1m) played the whole game, while compatriot Jordan Ayew (£5.7m) lasted 75 minutes before being replaced by Ernest Asante.
Victor Wanyama (£4.9m) played 90 minutes for Kenya.
Ivory Coast 3-0 Rwanda
- Eric Bailly (£5.0m) – 80 minutes
- Serge Aurier (£5.7m) – 30 minutes
- Wilfried Zaha (£6.9m) – 0 minutes
- Jean Michael Seri (£4.9m) – 0 minutes
Wilfried Zaha (£6.9m) watched from the sidelines Ivory Coast wrapped up AFCON 2019 qualifying with a 3-0 win over Rwanda. He was assessed by his country’s medical staff for a hamstring injury upon arrival and was not risked. Zaha has now returned to Crystal Palace as he hopes to fit for two Premier League matches in one Gameweek.
The chances of Kieran Trippier (£6.0m) getting significant game-time in Double Gameweek 32 were boosted by an injury to Serge Aurier (£5.7m). The Spurs right-back was substituted after 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, Eric Bailly (£5.0m) was another Premier League defender to suffer from a nasty clash of heads. After scoring his country’s second goal, he was substituted in the 80th minute as a precaution. As there are no more matches for Ivory Coast in the international break he should be back at Manchester United soon where we might hear more about whether he has to be put through concussion protocol ahead of Double Gameweek 32.
Jean Michael Seri (£4.9m) was an unused substitute.
Niger 1-1 Egypt
Mohamed Elneny (£4.2m) – 0 minutes
Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny (£4.2m) was an unused substitute for Egypt in their 1-1 draw with Niger, while Mohamed Salah (£13.3m) was not involved with the squad for this international break.
CONCACAF Nations League qualification
Antigua and Barbuda 2-1 Curaçao
Leandro Bacuna (£4.4m) – 90 minutes
Cardiff City man Leandro Bacuna (£4.4m) played 90 minutes in midfield as Curaçao lost 2-1 to Antigua and Barbuda.
5 years, 1 month agoAnybody else got Chuck Norris on the bench?