Injury-hit Spain take on France in key clash
16 Oct 2012 7:23 AM IST
With its defense thinned by injury, Spain will rely on its ability to dominate possession to blunt a France attack led by Karim Benzema and Franck Ribery in a highly anticipated World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
Both European powers have won their first two games in Group I, and Tuesday’s meeting will help determine which team should be considered the favorite to claim first place and the automatic berth in the tournament in Brazil.
Spain is without injured center backs Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol, while Sergio Ramos is doubtful after sitting out Sunday’s practice with muscle problems.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque could be forced tap little-used Raul Albiol to team up with midfielders Sergio Busquets or Javi Martinez in the center of his defense.
‘I am ready, but any one of us can play on Tuesday,’ Albiol said. ‘The important thing is to get the three points that would mean a big step toward our classification for the World Cup in Brazil.’
Germany hopes to extend its perfect record in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup when it faces Sweden, despite the towering presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker has 11 goals in 12 matches this season in all competitions and Sweden, like Germany, is perfect so far in qualifying.
With only group winners qualifying automatically, Germany would like to expand the gap to its toughest rival on Tuesday in Berlin.
Germany coach Joachim Loew is careful to point out that Sweden should not be considered a one-man team.
‘Sweden is not only Zlatan Ibrahimovic.’
MIKEL IS CHELSEA’S UNSUNG HERO: COACH
John Obi Mikel’s value to Chelsea often goes unrecognized by the media and by fans of the European champions but manager Roberto Di Matteo says the Nigeria midfielder is one of the club’s unsung heroes.
Mikel is still waiting to bag his first goal in 135 Premier League appearances for the Londoners.
‘Over the years he has been almost ever-present,’ Di Matteo said on Monday.
‘We all make mistakes in games and I don’t think he gets the credit for the work he does for the team. We all rate him high.’
Both European powers have won their first two games in Group I, and Tuesday’s meeting will help determine which team should be considered the favorite to claim first place and the automatic berth in the tournament in Brazil.
Spain is without injured center backs Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol, while Sergio Ramos is doubtful after sitting out Sunday’s practice with muscle problems.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque could be forced tap little-used Raul Albiol to team up with midfielders Sergio Busquets or Javi Martinez in the center of his defense.
‘I am ready, but any one of us can play on Tuesday,’ Albiol said. ‘The important thing is to get the three points that would mean a big step toward our classification for the World Cup in Brazil.’
Germany hopes to extend its perfect record in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup when it faces Sweden, despite the towering presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker has 11 goals in 12 matches this season in all competitions and Sweden, like Germany, is perfect so far in qualifying.
With only group winners qualifying automatically, Germany would like to expand the gap to its toughest rival on Tuesday in Berlin.
Germany coach Joachim Loew is careful to point out that Sweden should not be considered a one-man team.
‘Sweden is not only Zlatan Ibrahimovic.’
MIKEL IS CHELSEA’S UNSUNG HERO: COACH
John Obi Mikel’s value to Chelsea often goes unrecognized by the media and by fans of the European champions but manager Roberto Di Matteo says the Nigeria midfielder is one of the club’s unsung heroes.
Mikel is still waiting to bag his first goal in 135 Premier League appearances for the Londoners.
‘Over the years he has been almost ever-present,’ Di Matteo said on Monday.
‘We all make mistakes in games and I don’t think he gets the credit for the work he does for the team. We all rate him high.’
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