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| International matches: 10 things to look out for over the coming week | International matches: 10 things to look out for over the coming week |
| (2 months later) | |
| Strachan’s defensive headache | Strachan’s defensive headache |
| As the first side to take on Germany since their Argentina double-header – one of which was slightly more important than the other – Gordon Strachan’s team could not have had a harder start to their European Championship qualification campaign. The first-choice left-back, Andrew Robertson, had to withdraw. With Christophe Berra also out injured, the 27-year-old debutant Mark Reynolds has been called up. The Aberdeen centre-back will not start but if called upon he will not have faced forwards with such attacking dynamism before. Avoiding defeat would be a boon to Scotland but without their first-choice defence it could be a long evening in goal for Allan McGregor. Toby Moses | As the first side to take on Germany since their Argentina double-header – one of which was slightly more important than the other – Gordon Strachan’s team could not have had a harder start to their European Championship qualification campaign. The first-choice left-back, Andrew Robertson, had to withdraw. With Christophe Berra also out injured, the 27-year-old debutant Mark Reynolds has been called up. The Aberdeen centre-back will not start but if called upon he will not have faced forwards with such attacking dynamism before. Avoiding defeat would be a boon to Scotland but without their first-choice defence it could be a long evening in goal for Allan McGregor. Toby Moses |
| Germany v Scotland, Sunday 7.45pm | Germany v Scotland, Sunday 7.45pm |
| Hello De Gea (goodbye Casillas) | Hello De Gea (goodbye Casillas) |
| To avoid handing their illegal haul of alcohol over to the police, Homer – playing the role of the beer baron – and Bart – his able assistant – take a detour through a cemetery. Gravestones are knocked over and the police are lost but Homer’s car comes home a wreck. “What happened to you, Homer?” asks Marge “And what have you done to the car? … I don’t think it had broken axles before.” An indignant Homer replies: “Before, before! You’re living in the past, Marge! Quit living in the past!” Vicente del Bosque would do well to heed this advice, especially when it comes to selecting his goalkeeper. If we learned anything from the World Cup, it is that Iker Casillas is well and truly past his best. It is time for Casillas to go and it is time he is replaced by David de Gea. After a rough start and despite playing behind a mediocre Manchester United defence, De Gea has blossomed into one of United’s most consistent players. Unlike the Real Madrid man, he commands his box, he reacts with the speed and alertness required of a keeper at this level and he has time on his side. Spain are at the start of a new cycle and they should begin that journey with De Gea in goal. Ian McCourt | To avoid handing their illegal haul of alcohol over to the police, Homer – playing the role of the beer baron – and Bart – his able assistant – take a detour through a cemetery. Gravestones are knocked over and the police are lost but Homer’s car comes home a wreck. “What happened to you, Homer?” asks Marge “And what have you done to the car? … I don’t think it had broken axles before.” An indignant Homer replies: “Before, before! You’re living in the past, Marge! Quit living in the past!” Vicente del Bosque would do well to heed this advice, especially when it comes to selecting his goalkeeper. If we learned anything from the World Cup, it is that Iker Casillas is well and truly past his best. It is time for Casillas to go and it is time he is replaced by David de Gea. After a rough start and despite playing behind a mediocre Manchester United defence, De Gea has blossomed into one of United’s most consistent players. Unlike the Real Madrid man, he commands his box, he reacts with the speed and alertness required of a keeper at this level and he has time on his side. Spain are at the start of a new cycle and they should begin that journey with De Gea in goal. Ian McCourt |
| Spain v Macedonia, Monday 7.45pm | Spain v Macedonia, Monday 7.45pm |
| Conte has much to prove | Conte has much to prove |
| Italy are coming off the back of a World Cup campaign only slightly less disappointing than England’s, while Norway are ready to embark on a new era, removing the shackles of the “Egil Olsen paradigm”. The defeat to England will not help Norwegian confidence – while the Italians at least have a highly successful coach taking over. Antonio Conte won three consecutive league titles with Juventus, but could not help the Old Lady to regain their footing in the Champions League – so he has yet to prove that he can thrive in a more cut-throat, competitive environment than the much-diminished Serie A. Getting out of a group containing Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Croatia and Malta should not be too tricky – second place is enough to make it to the expanded Euro 2016 – but the challenge for Conte isn’t qualification, it’s preparing the squad to put in a sustained challenge in two years’ time. TM | |
| Norway v Italy, Tuesday 7.45pm | Norway v Italy, Tuesday 7.45pm |
| Doyle provides O’Neill with a striking conundrum | Doyle provides O’Neill with a striking conundrum |
| When Robbie Brady’s scuffed corner landed at the foot of Alex Pearce, who subsequently poked the ball past Ali al-Habsi in the Oman net, Martin O’Neill could breathe a sigh of relief. The friendly had been won and for the first time since his first game in charge, his side had managed to break the one-goal barrier. Republic of Ireland’s opening effort on Wednesday night also came via a set piece from Brady but it was Kevin Doyle who added the finishing touch that time with a well-taken header. That goal, as well as his return to the Premier League with Crystal Palace, will surely boost Doyle’s confidence and provides O’Neill with a striking conundrum for the game against Georgia. Robbie Keane will start, no doubt, but who does the manager pair him with should he opt for a two-pronged approach up front. Does he go for the hard-working and fleet-of-foot Shane Long who gets in good positions but often fails to capitalise on them? Or does he opt for the slower, more experienced and better finishing of Doyle? The choice is yours, Martin. IMC | When Robbie Brady’s scuffed corner landed at the foot of Alex Pearce, who subsequently poked the ball past Ali al-Habsi in the Oman net, Martin O’Neill could breathe a sigh of relief. The friendly had been won and for the first time since his first game in charge, his side had managed to break the one-goal barrier. Republic of Ireland’s opening effort on Wednesday night also came via a set piece from Brady but it was Kevin Doyle who added the finishing touch that time with a well-taken header. That goal, as well as his return to the Premier League with Crystal Palace, will surely boost Doyle’s confidence and provides O’Neill with a striking conundrum for the game against Georgia. Robbie Keane will start, no doubt, but who does the manager pair him with should he opt for a two-pronged approach up front. Does he go for the hard-working and fleet-of-foot Shane Long who gets in good positions but often fails to capitalise on them? Or does he opt for the slower, more experienced and better finishing of Doyle? The choice is yours, Martin. IMC |
| Georgia v Republic of Ireland, Sunday 5pm | Georgia v Republic of Ireland, Sunday 5pm |
| Time to move on from Gerrard and Lampard | Time to move on from Gerrard and Lampard |
| Has an England qualification campaign ever begun with such apathy? After the listless World Cup showing, and the promotion of fan-favourite Wayne Rooney to the captaincy, Roy Hodgson’s squad have a lot of work to do to turn around the feelings of a nation. Even topping this group won’t do much to convince the naysayers – so it is probably no bad thing they get away from the hostile Wembley crowd. Switzerland will be their main competitors for top spot and a win against the team ranked ninth in the world would be a big boost to their fragile confidence. It’s been over a decade since someone other than Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard was able to stake a claim to be England’s main man in midfield – so the time is ripe for Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson to show that there’s life after the golden generation. Both play for teams that favour a slick passing game, prioritising possession and quick counterattacks to break down the opposition. If they can build a rapport and transfer club form on to the international stage England might finally have a central midfield partnership capable of challenging the top teams. TM | Has an England qualification campaign ever begun with such apathy? After the listless World Cup showing, and the promotion of fan-favourite Wayne Rooney to the captaincy, Roy Hodgson’s squad have a lot of work to do to turn around the feelings of a nation. Even topping this group won’t do much to convince the naysayers – so it is probably no bad thing they get away from the hostile Wembley crowd. Switzerland will be their main competitors for top spot and a win against the team ranked ninth in the world would be a big boost to their fragile confidence. It’s been over a decade since someone other than Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard was able to stake a claim to be England’s main man in midfield – so the time is ripe for Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson to show that there’s life after the golden generation. Both play for teams that favour a slick passing game, prioritising possession and quick counterattacks to break down the opposition. If they can build a rapport and transfer club form on to the international stage England might finally have a central midfield partnership capable of challenging the top teams. TM |
| Switzerland v England, Monday 7.45pm | Switzerland v England, Monday 7.45pm |
| Wales’ and Bale’s best chance to reach a tournament | Wales’ and Bale’s best chance to reach a tournament |
| The expansion of the European Championship to 24 teams may render the qualification process an exercise in keeping boredom at bay for the continent’s elite but for the perennial also-rans, optimism is rife. Most of the home nations fall into that category, not least Wales, who kick off their qualification campaign on Andorra’s 3G pitch. Inevitably, thoughts turn to Gareth Bale, the world’s most expensive footballer, who will not get a better chance to play at a major international tournament, but Chris Coleman’s squad is punctuated with talent. Aaron Ramsey is among the standout players in the Premier League when fit, while Joe Allen, Ben Davies and Ashley Williams, whose Swansea side are riding high at present, also feature and Sam Vokes, although currently injured, will be available for most of the campaign. Coleman knows the importance of getting off to a winning start – informing Carlo Ancelotti in no uncertain terms that Bale will face Andorra, regardless of the Real manager’s concerns over the artificial surface – in what the Wales manager hopes will be the start of a campaign that culminates in overdue liberation from the spectre of Paul Bodin, which has haunted the valleys since 1993. Gerard Meagher | The expansion of the European Championship to 24 teams may render the qualification process an exercise in keeping boredom at bay for the continent’s elite but for the perennial also-rans, optimism is rife. Most of the home nations fall into that category, not least Wales, who kick off their qualification campaign on Andorra’s 3G pitch. Inevitably, thoughts turn to Gareth Bale, the world’s most expensive footballer, who will not get a better chance to play at a major international tournament, but Chris Coleman’s squad is punctuated with talent. Aaron Ramsey is among the standout players in the Premier League when fit, while Joe Allen, Ben Davies and Ashley Williams, whose Swansea side are riding high at present, also feature and Sam Vokes, although currently injured, will be available for most of the campaign. Coleman knows the importance of getting off to a winning start – informing Carlo Ancelotti in no uncertain terms that Bale will face Andorra, regardless of the Real manager’s concerns over the artificial surface – in what the Wales manager hopes will be the start of a campaign that culminates in overdue liberation from the spectre of Paul Bodin, which has haunted the valleys since 1993. Gerard Meagher |
| Andorra v Wales, Tuesday 7.45pm | Andorra v Wales, Tuesday 7.45pm |
| Now is a good time for the Czechs to play Holland | Now is a good time for the Czechs to play Holland |
| You could probably take all the money you have squirrelled away, bet it on Holland winning Group A in the Euro 2016 qualifiers and not lose one moment of sleep as you wait for your prediction to reach fruition. The race for second in that group is far muddier however, as Turkey, Czech Republic and Iceland all vie for a summer jaunt in France. The Czechs kick off qualification at home to Holland and while that may sound like an exercise in futility but there is some hope for Pavel Vrba’s side. There will be no Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, no Ron Vlaar, no Rafael van der Vaart, no Jordy Clasie and, very likely, no Arjen Robben. Kevin Strootman is still on the physio’s table and given that Robin van Persie is reported to be struggling with an injury, there could well be no sign of him either. Those are some key players to be missing but as if those disruptions were not enough, Holland are also going to be playing under a new manager who is going to change the side’s tactics – “I had a discussion with the important players and we’ve decided to go back to 4-3-3 [from 5-3-2],” said Guus Hiddink. The Czechs were poor in their defeat to the US on Wednesday – they were wasteful in front of goal and the headline on the Czech daily Sport described the loss as a “Wake-up call”, adding that the side needed “faster running, ideas and more precise passing” – but they still have enough quality in their ranks to earn a point (or more) against the depleted Dutch. Either result would be an early and welcome shot in the arm for their hopes of finishing second. IMC | You could probably take all the money you have squirrelled away, bet it on Holland winning Group A in the Euro 2016 qualifiers and not lose one moment of sleep as you wait for your prediction to reach fruition. The race for second in that group is far muddier however, as Turkey, Czech Republic and Iceland all vie for a summer jaunt in France. The Czechs kick off qualification at home to Holland and while that may sound like an exercise in futility but there is some hope for Pavel Vrba’s side. There will be no Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, no Ron Vlaar, no Rafael van der Vaart, no Jordy Clasie and, very likely, no Arjen Robben. Kevin Strootman is still on the physio’s table and given that Robin van Persie is reported to be struggling with an injury, there could well be no sign of him either. Those are some key players to be missing but as if those disruptions were not enough, Holland are also going to be playing under a new manager who is going to change the side’s tactics – “I had a discussion with the important players and we’ve decided to go back to 4-3-3 [from 5-3-2],” said Guus Hiddink. The Czechs were poor in their defeat to the US on Wednesday – they were wasteful in front of goal and the headline on the Czech daily Sport described the loss as a “Wake-up call”, adding that the side needed “faster running, ideas and more precise passing” – but they still have enough quality in their ranks to earn a point (or more) against the depleted Dutch. Either result would be an early and welcome shot in the arm for their hopes of finishing second. IMC |
| Czech Republic v Holland, Tuesday 7.45pm | Czech Republic v Holland, Tuesday 7.45pm |
| Two teams thankful of a neutral venue | Two teams thankful of a neutral venue |
| Will the knee hold out? Is he worth £16m for one season? Manchester United fans will get a first chance to take a gander at their window-breaking transfer if they are willing to stay up until the early hours. Lining up alongside James Rodríguez, Colombia’s Radamel Falcao should be fit and raring to go after a full pre-season, which included a winning goal against Arsenal, and ready to show what his country were missing at the World Cup. Brazil squeezed past their fellow South Americans in the quarter-final, but with Neymar breaking his back and missing the rest of the tournament after a dangerous challenge from Juan Zúñiga, and Thiago Silva picking up the suspension-inducing yellow card, there are some who will say this was the game that cost them the tournament. That seems slightly ludicrous given the spanking Germany handed out in the semi-final, but that scoreline would be unimaginable with Silva and Neymar both in the team. At least neither the Seleção, nor Zúñiga, will need to face an irate Brazilian crowd – with the Floridian support sure to be much more forgiving of this summer’s misdemeanours. TM | Will the knee hold out? Is he worth £16m for one season? Manchester United fans will get a first chance to take a gander at their window-breaking transfer if they are willing to stay up until the early hours. Lining up alongside James Rodríguez, Colombia’s Radamel Falcao should be fit and raring to go after a full pre-season, which included a winning goal against Arsenal, and ready to show what his country were missing at the World Cup. Brazil squeezed past their fellow South Americans in the quarter-final, but with Neymar breaking his back and missing the rest of the tournament after a dangerous challenge from Juan Zúñiga, and Thiago Silva picking up the suspension-inducing yellow card, there are some who will say this was the game that cost them the tournament. That seems slightly ludicrous given the spanking Germany handed out in the semi-final, but that scoreline would be unimaginable with Silva and Neymar both in the team. At least neither the Seleção, nor Zúñiga, will need to face an irate Brazilian crowd – with the Floridian support sure to be much more forgiving of this summer’s misdemeanours. TM |
| Brazil v Colombia, Saturday 2am | Brazil v Colombia, Saturday 2am |
| Chance for Denmark to gain some revenge | Chance for Denmark to gain some revenge |
| “If you lose a big fight,” said Muhammad Ali, “it will worry you all your life. It will plague you – until you get your revenge.” Denmark’s World Cup qualifier against Armenia in Copenhagen last year may not have been a big fight but it will most certainly plague them. The Armenians arrived having lost their previous four games but scored twice either side of half-time to leave the Danes humiliated. The manager, Morten Olsen, would later describe the match (among other ill-advised things) as “the worst evening in my football life”. The Danes made up for the defeat somewhat with a 1-0 win in Armenia three months later but the home team will almost certainly enter into this game with revenge still on their mind. Olsen’s side looked good in the first half of their friendly against Turkey – the defence kept the opposition at bay and the midfield controlled the game and created plenty of opportunities. However, a raft of half-time substitutions disrupted their flow and a very late and very good strike from Ozan Tufan meant they left without a win. But should Denmark play as they did in those opening 45 minutes against Turkey, they will have to worry no more. IMC | “If you lose a big fight,” said Muhammad Ali, “it will worry you all your life. It will plague you – until you get your revenge.” Denmark’s World Cup qualifier against Armenia in Copenhagen last year may not have been a big fight but it will most certainly plague them. The Armenians arrived having lost their previous four games but scored twice either side of half-time to leave the Danes humiliated. The manager, Morten Olsen, would later describe the match (among other ill-advised things) as “the worst evening in my football life”. The Danes made up for the defeat somewhat with a 1-0 win in Armenia three months later but the home team will almost certainly enter into this game with revenge still on their mind. Olsen’s side looked good in the first half of their friendly against Turkey – the defence kept the opposition at bay and the midfield controlled the game and created plenty of opportunities. However, a raft of half-time substitutions disrupted their flow and a very late and very good strike from Ozan Tufan meant they left without a win. But should Denmark play as they did in those opening 45 minutes against Turkey, they will have to worry no more. IMC |
| Denmark v Armenia, Sunday 5pm | Denmark v Armenia, Sunday 5pm |
| The Rock gets a chance to roll into Euro 2016 | The Rock gets a chance to roll into Euro 2016 |
| After nearly 100 years of football on the tiny island, Gibraltar finally play their first competitive fixture. Scott Wiseman, the Preston defender, is probably the most familiar name now that the team is shorn of their only star, Danny Higginbotham, following his retirement. Higginbotham’s uncle, Allen Bula, has managed the team since 2010 and said after their friendly victory against Malta that he believes his side has a chance of reaching the Euros in France. “We know that the Germans are the favourites,” said Bula. “But, after the Germans, every other team is going to start nicking points off one another. So, if we can get a good run in the first half of the qualifiers, I genuinely think we can make it to the play-offs.” To do that they will need to finish third in a group which also contains Scotland and Ireland. With a population just 5% the size of Glasgow – 30,000 – that would be some achievement. TM | After nearly 100 years of football on the tiny island, Gibraltar finally play their first competitive fixture. Scott Wiseman, the Preston defender, is probably the most familiar name now that the team is shorn of their only star, Danny Higginbotham, following his retirement. Higginbotham’s uncle, Allen Bula, has managed the team since 2010 and said after their friendly victory against Malta that he believes his side has a chance of reaching the Euros in France. “We know that the Germans are the favourites,” said Bula. “But, after the Germans, every other team is going to start nicking points off one another. So, if we can get a good run in the first half of the qualifiers, I genuinely think we can make it to the play-offs.” To do that they will need to finish third in a group which also contains Scotland and Ireland. With a population just 5% the size of Glasgow – 30,000 – that would be some achievement. TM |
| Gibraltar v Poland, Sunday 7.45pm | Gibraltar v Poland, Sunday 7.45pm |
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