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Pressure on for Italy and England
(FIFA.com) Friday 7 September 2007
The European season may still be in its infancy, but with no fewer than 20 matches on the card, this weekend's round of qualifying matches for UEFA EURO 2008 should go some way to sorting out the men from the boys in the various groups. And with some major contenders facing injury crises, it would be unwise to make any predictions.
There is little doubt that the eyes of the football world will be fixed on the San Siro, where the latest chapter in a long-running rivalry between Latin cousins will unfold. First place in Group B is at stake as Italy and France take each other on in Milan, but with Scotland and Ukraine breathing down their necks, the big two can take nothing for granted.
The Azzurri, who face a severe test away to the Ukrainians next week, cannot afford to drop any more points at home having slipped up against lowly Lithuania in the opening round of games. Coach Roberto Donadoni should be able to call on star striker Luca Toni, but his main concern is the identity of his central defensive pairing following an injury to Marco Materazzi and Alessandro Nesta's retirement, absences that could pave the way for a surprise recall for Christian Panucci. Yet as veteran frontman Filippo Inzaghi, still hopeful of a starting place, pointed out, "Italy are at their strongest when times are tough."
The French, 3-1 winners in the first group meeting between the sides, are under far less pressure, although boss Raymond Domenech still has to decide which of his high-class striking quartet of Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet, Nicolas Anelka and the 19-year-old Karim Benzema will get the nod. Eagerly awaiting news of the clash of the titans will be the resurgent Scots, who entertain Lithuania, and fourth-placed Ukraine, who travel to Georgia.
Another potentially decisive evening is in store in Group A, with a brace of games featuring the top four sides in the pool. Leaders Poland face a daunting trip away to third-placed Portugal, while Finland, currently in second place, visit Serbia. To round off a vital few days of action the Portuguese and the Serbians, who both have a game in hand on the frontrunners, then face off on Wednesday evening.
No margin for error
As far as Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is concerned, the alarm bells are ringing for his side despite the welcome returns of Petit, Nani, Maniche and Hugo Almeida. "We've already dropped some very important points along the way, and we simply cannot afford to lose," he warned, August's 1-1 draw with Armenia no doubt still fresh in his mind.
Poland's last outing was an even more disappointing 1-0 defeat in Yerevan, and coach Leo Beenhakker will be hoping the experienced group that downed the Portuguese 2-1 in Chorzow last October can repeat the trick on Saturday. As for the flying Finns, buoyed by victories over Belgium and Kazakhstan in their last two outings, a point from their trip to Belgrade will certainly come in handy, particularly after Serbia inflicted a 2-0 defeat on them at home earlier in the group.
Over in Group C, reigning European champions and unbeaten group leaders Greece have a day off but could see rivals Turkey draw to within two points of the pace if they win in Malta. The Greeks are also sure to be keeping a close eye on developments in the match that sees second-placed Bosnia-Herzegovina travel to Hungary, where the hosts will be intent on following up their notable 3-1 win over Italy in a recent friendly.
Germany are strolling to qualification from Group D. Five points clear of the pack and boasting a handsome goal difference of +25 after six wins and a draw, the Germans' only September commitment is this weekend's trip to Wales. The battle for second place is far from over, however, with the main contenders Czech Republic and the Republic of Ireland facing away days in San Marino and Slovakia respectively.
Anxious four days for England
England, who lie fourth in Group E, three points adrift of Croatia and Israel and one behind Russia, are bracing themselves for a vital four days that will see them take on Israel and then Russia at Wembley. English preparations have been hampered by injury doubts hanging over the indispensable Steven Gerrard, although Steve McClaren is very confident the influential Liverpool midfielder will be fully fit.
"He wants to play, I want him to play, his team-mates want him to play and the whole country wants him to play," commented the England boss. "It's a very important match and we need him." The Gerrard injury saga began when he broke a toe against in a UEFA Champions League third qualifying round match against Toulouse in the middle of August.
Given that injuries have already ruled out Wayne Rooney, David Beckham and Wayne Bridge, and with Frank Lampard almost certain to miss the game and Peter Crouch serving a suspension, his presence seems essential in a team that cannot afford to drop any more points at home. Worryingly for McClaren and his men, the Israelis welcome back six players for the trip to London, where Gerrard's club colleague Yossi Benayoun is sure to play a key role for the visitors.
Spain face a similarly obstacle-strewn path to EURO 2008 in Group F, and nothing less than three points will do from their trip to Iceland if they are to remain in the leading trio. The game of the night is undoubtedly the Scandinavian derby between leaders Sweden, who will be hoping Zlatan Ibrahimovic can continue his rich vein of form, and neighbours Denmark, who have no room for error. Elsewhere, group revelations Northern Ireland, safely tucked into second place, travel to the Baltics to take on struggling Latvia.
Things are even tighter at the top of Group G, where the three leading sides have yet to taste defeat. Pacesetters Romania should stay out in front when they travel to Belarus, while in the big game of the day, third-placed Netherlands receive a visit from Bulgaria, the team immediately above them. Following the recent 2-1 friendly defeat by Switzerland, Dutch coach Marco van Basten has bolstered his squad with the addition of five new faces, including Ajax standout Klaas Jan Huntelaar.
UEFA EURO 2008: Weekend fixtures
Group A
Serbia - Finland
Portugal - Poland
Group B
Italy - France
Scotland - Lithuania
Georgia - Ukraine
Group C
Hungary - Bosnia-Herzegovina
Malta - Turkey
Moldova - Norway
Group D
Wales - Germany
San Marino - Czech Republic
Slovakia - Rep of Ireland
Group E
England - Israel
Russia - Macedonia
Croatia - Estonia
Group F
Latvia - Northern Ireland
Iceland - Spain
Sweden - Denmark
Group G
Luxembourg - Slovenia
Belarus - Romania
Netherlands - Bulgaria
(FIFA.com) Friday 7 September 2007
The European season may still be in its infancy, but with no fewer than 20 matches on the card, this weekend's round of qualifying matches for UEFA EURO 2008 should go some way to sorting out the men from the boys in the various groups. And with some major contenders facing injury crises, it would be unwise to make any predictions.
There is little doubt that the eyes of the football world will be fixed on the San Siro, where the latest chapter in a long-running rivalry between Latin cousins will unfold. First place in Group B is at stake as Italy and France take each other on in Milan, but with Scotland and Ukraine breathing down their necks, the big two can take nothing for granted.
The Azzurri, who face a severe test away to the Ukrainians next week, cannot afford to drop any more points at home having slipped up against lowly Lithuania in the opening round of games. Coach Roberto Donadoni should be able to call on star striker Luca Toni, but his main concern is the identity of his central defensive pairing following an injury to Marco Materazzi and Alessandro Nesta's retirement, absences that could pave the way for a surprise recall for Christian Panucci. Yet as veteran frontman Filippo Inzaghi, still hopeful of a starting place, pointed out, "Italy are at their strongest when times are tough."
The French, 3-1 winners in the first group meeting between the sides, are under far less pressure, although boss Raymond Domenech still has to decide which of his high-class striking quartet of Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet, Nicolas Anelka and the 19-year-old Karim Benzema will get the nod. Eagerly awaiting news of the clash of the titans will be the resurgent Scots, who entertain Lithuania, and fourth-placed Ukraine, who travel to Georgia.
Another potentially decisive evening is in store in Group A, with a brace of games featuring the top four sides in the pool. Leaders Poland face a daunting trip away to third-placed Portugal, while Finland, currently in second place, visit Serbia. To round off a vital few days of action the Portuguese and the Serbians, who both have a game in hand on the frontrunners, then face off on Wednesday evening.
No margin for error
As far as Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is concerned, the alarm bells are ringing for his side despite the welcome returns of Petit, Nani, Maniche and Hugo Almeida. "We've already dropped some very important points along the way, and we simply cannot afford to lose," he warned, August's 1-1 draw with Armenia no doubt still fresh in his mind.
Poland's last outing was an even more disappointing 1-0 defeat in Yerevan, and coach Leo Beenhakker will be hoping the experienced group that downed the Portuguese 2-1 in Chorzow last October can repeat the trick on Saturday. As for the flying Finns, buoyed by victories over Belgium and Kazakhstan in their last two outings, a point from their trip to Belgrade will certainly come in handy, particularly after Serbia inflicted a 2-0 defeat on them at home earlier in the group.
Over in Group C, reigning European champions and unbeaten group leaders Greece have a day off but could see rivals Turkey draw to within two points of the pace if they win in Malta. The Greeks are also sure to be keeping a close eye on developments in the match that sees second-placed Bosnia-Herzegovina travel to Hungary, where the hosts will be intent on following up their notable 3-1 win over Italy in a recent friendly.
Germany are strolling to qualification from Group D. Five points clear of the pack and boasting a handsome goal difference of +25 after six wins and a draw, the Germans' only September commitment is this weekend's trip to Wales. The battle for second place is far from over, however, with the main contenders Czech Republic and the Republic of Ireland facing away days in San Marino and Slovakia respectively.
Anxious four days for England
England, who lie fourth in Group E, three points adrift of Croatia and Israel and one behind Russia, are bracing themselves for a vital four days that will see them take on Israel and then Russia at Wembley. English preparations have been hampered by injury doubts hanging over the indispensable Steven Gerrard, although Steve McClaren is very confident the influential Liverpool midfielder will be fully fit.
"He wants to play, I want him to play, his team-mates want him to play and the whole country wants him to play," commented the England boss. "It's a very important match and we need him." The Gerrard injury saga began when he broke a toe against in a UEFA Champions League third qualifying round match against Toulouse in the middle of August.
Given that injuries have already ruled out Wayne Rooney, David Beckham and Wayne Bridge, and with Frank Lampard almost certain to miss the game and Peter Crouch serving a suspension, his presence seems essential in a team that cannot afford to drop any more points at home. Worryingly for McClaren and his men, the Israelis welcome back six players for the trip to London, where Gerrard's club colleague Yossi Benayoun is sure to play a key role for the visitors.
Spain face a similarly obstacle-strewn path to EURO 2008 in Group F, and nothing less than three points will do from their trip to Iceland if they are to remain in the leading trio. The game of the night is undoubtedly the Scandinavian derby between leaders Sweden, who will be hoping Zlatan Ibrahimovic can continue his rich vein of form, and neighbours Denmark, who have no room for error. Elsewhere, group revelations Northern Ireland, safely tucked into second place, travel to the Baltics to take on struggling Latvia.
Things are even tighter at the top of Group G, where the three leading sides have yet to taste defeat. Pacesetters Romania should stay out in front when they travel to Belarus, while in the big game of the day, third-placed Netherlands receive a visit from Bulgaria, the team immediately above them. Following the recent 2-1 friendly defeat by Switzerland, Dutch coach Marco van Basten has bolstered his squad with the addition of five new faces, including Ajax standout Klaas Jan Huntelaar.
UEFA EURO 2008: Weekend fixtures
Group A
Serbia - Finland
Portugal - Poland
Group B
Italy - France
Scotland - Lithuania
Georgia - Ukraine
Group C
Hungary - Bosnia-Herzegovina
Malta - Turkey
Moldova - Norway
Group D
Wales - Germany
San Marino - Czech Republic
Slovakia - Rep of Ireland
Group E
England - Israel
Russia - Macedonia
Croatia - Estonia
Group F
Latvia - Northern Ireland
Iceland - Spain
Sweden - Denmark
Group G
Luxembourg - Slovenia
Belarus - Romania
Netherlands - Bulgaria
Heskey has scored five goals in 43 international appearances
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