Holders Spain face a tricky trip to Belarus in World Cup 2014 qualifying today, when a host of top European sides take on unheralded nations as they bid to avoid sizeable shocks en route to Brazil.
The Spanish know only too well that their Group I game in Minsk is far from a foregone conclusion after midfielder Javi Martinez’s club side Bayern Munich lost 3-1 against Belarusian champions BATE Borisov in the Champions League last week.
A late 1-0 win in Georgia for the world and European champions in their group opener last month was also a reminder of the tiresome cliche that there are “no easy games,” even if the Netherlands and England do have simple-looking matches.
Photo : AFP
The Dutch, the 2010 runners-up, host tiny Andorra in Group D, while England, who drew 1-1 at home with Ukraine in a lackluster second Group H game, welcome a San Marino side joint bottom of the FIFA rankings before a tougher test in Poland on Tuesday.
Steven Gerrard is suspended after a red card against Ukraine last month, so Frank Lampard is set to take the armband with Chelsea club mate Ashley Cole also hoping to play, despite a controversial tweet against the English Football Association.
Martinez warned not just his Spain side, but the whole of Europe of potential banana skins, with six BATE players likely to start for Belarus.
Photo: Reuters
“Because they have so many BATE players in the squad, probably they will play in a similar way,” Martinez told a news conference. “BATE are a team that look to play on the counter attack, they are physically very strong and they don’t give you many scoring chances.”
Italy and Germany also have matches they should win, but that could provide a bolt from the blue.
The Germans travel to injury-hit Ireland looking to make it three wins from three in Group C and Italy visit Armenia in Group B.
Germany’s Mario Goetze and Lukas Podolski are nursing minor knocks, but will be fit for the Dublin clash. However, defender Mats Hummels is out and captain Philipp Lahm is suspended.
“Even despite the missing players, we can handle any absence because of our team’s strength,” said assistant coach Hansi Flick, whose outfit host Sweden on Tuesday.
One player expected to be fit for arguably the juiciest-looking clash today is Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who is in line to face Russia away in Group F having almost recovered from a shoulder injury.
Defender Pepe is a doubt for Portugal, with a thigh problem.
In another intriguing encounter, Belgium — many pundits’ outside tip to shine when the soccer carnival rolls into Brazil in two years’ time — go to Serbia in Group A, but midfielder Marouane Fellaini is injured.
Among other matches in European qualification today, Group B rivals Bulgaria and Denmark clash, while the Czech Republic are at home to Malta.
Sweden go to fellow Scandinavians the Faroe Islands looking for bags of goals in Group C.
Wales and Scotland do battle in Cardiff in Group A hoping to gain the upper hand and put themselves in an improved position for Tuesday’s bumper round of matches.
The standout game next week is Spain hosting France, who face Japan in a friendly at the Stade de France today.
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