football test

It’s the international games week, the last warm up before the world cup next summer. Some interesting games will take place and worth commenting on.

South Korea Vs Ivory Coast

The interesting thing about this game is that it fits the needs of both teams while preparing for the world cup. While South Korea plays in group B that includes Nigeria, Ivory Coast will need a win against Korea DPR (PRK) in Group G if they want to have any hope to qualify to the knock out stages.
Adding to that, it will be an opportunity for Ivory Coast to show their true quality after a very disappointing performance at the ACN. They are still the pending surprise in my books for next summer.

Germany Vs Argentina

Maradona presence is more than enough to make this game interesting. He earned lot of critic for his performance as a coach so far. I still believe he will end up punching someone during a game sooner or later, but for being a follower of the Argentinean national team since Maradona was a player, I can only cross fingers hoping for some kind of supernatural miracles in the following World Cup. Only Maradona knows what kind of selection and tactics we will see tonight. I am mostly interesting to see if Messi will play in offense or in midfield for this game. Against Malaga, Pep used Messi more in the midfield, and we all know that Maradona copies Pep, or he tries.

Germany is always a team to take notes about. In the previous world cup they exceeded all expectations. Will they win this one, or they will only reach the final, as the myth says.

Italy Vs Cameroon

Cameroon is another team that African nations are putting their bets on to keep the world cup in the continent. They were not that impressive in Angola. They need a lot to be labeled as world cup contenders. It will be a good start to bench Geremi and Rigobert Song.


The Italians... I really like Lippi as a coach. But there is one thing I don’t like about coaches in Italy generally speaking: They are not adventurous enough. The likes of Cannavaro, Gattuso, Toni (who is not called for this game) and Di Natale will win you no world cups anymore. Put more youth even if it means sacrificing one tournament (you will not win anyway) to build a squad for the coming years. The players called for this game are interesting though. For the best of Italy, players like Maggio, Criscito, Montolivo, Marchisio, Quagliarella are a must, beside the likes of Chiellini, Pepe, De Rossi, Borriello and Pazzini. Pirlo can still help the team as well if he plays in a less physically demanding position than the holding midfielder, behind two strikers may be. Of course the mentioned names may not start all together, but they must be considered as the core of the team.

England Vs Egypt

Another good game between the crowned champions of Africa and the three lions (Four if you count Capello). All the spotlights will be on the English team. England had never been a team I bet my money on in a big competition, but the moment they hired Capello it felt that if they will ever have a chance, this is their moment to seize. During the qualifications they proved their readiness for the big times. Yet, since the Tom and Jerry tale of Terry , Ashley Cole dilemma, Bridge international retirement, etc… The English camp is not as stable as it has to be and the final hundred meters may prove being a difficult uphill for them to climb. What I am mostly interested to see in this game is: Who will play as a left back? The lack of quality left-footed wing in the English team forced Capello to count on his left fullback to create width with the midfielders playing more centered. Without Cole and Bridge we need to see how will Capello cross that bridge? Besides, how will changing the captain of the team affect the team as a whole, and Terry-Ferdinand performance in the heart of the defense in specific.

France Vs Spain

I was hoping to see a Spain Vs Spain friendly before the world cup. It will be interesting to see the Spanish squad being split in two teams for a friendly game. We all can bet it will be a very strong battle between two complete teams. It didn’t happen. This is a game between a team that is generating all the praise at the moment, and the team that is doomed to disappoint next summer. Though, the world cup favorites showed in the confederation cup that they are not invisible, and the French have no doubt all what they need (Beside coaching?) to oppose all predictions and win the cup.

Last night: Ireland Vs Brazil

A very solid game from the South Americans. They showed the signs of a team that is dressed as champions’ contenders. One interesting point was using Alves and Micon in the same selection, something I criticized Dunga for NOT doing especially for the game against Bolivia where he preferred to use Elano in the midfield. This Micon-Alves partnership is a must for the Brazilians to create a solid team for the world cup. Ronaldinho was not there, and as much as it pains me to admit, he is not an option for the national team next summer.