Word Cup friendlies: It’s Spain v Italy
With the big kick-off at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil fast approaching, the 32 qualified teams are gearing up for a full dress rehearsal in a range of friendlies today -- which come 99 days before Brazil open the tournament in Sao Paulo.
Nine matches will feature a pair of World Cup hopefuls locking horns, including three games in Europe, while there are several other matches, involving World Cup teams.
Current holders Spain are set to take on 2006 world champions Italy in the most eagerly anticipated encounter.
Diego Costa's inclusion in Vicente Del Bosque's Spain squad has led to a genuine shake-up in La Roja's forward line, with Juan Mata and David Villa – the country's all-time leading scorer with 56 goals – both left on the sidelines. Along with Diego Costa, Pedro and Alvaro Negredo are the only other forwards in a squad featuring ten midfielders, which suggests the Atletico Madrid striker is now set for a decisive role, less than a year on from contesting two friendlies for Brazil and five months after cutting his ties with A Seleção.
Further back, Del Bosque has omitted Carles Puyol due to concerns about the Barcelona defender's ongoing fitness problems, but he has kept faith with Iker Casillas, back-up goalkeeper to Diego Lopez at Real Madrid.
For Italy, meanwhile, Cesare Prandelli has called up a pair of newcomers in Torino forward Ciro Immobile and Parma's Argentinian-born defender Gabriel Paletta. Mario Balotelli misses the game through injury, however, and Daniele De Rossi has fallen foul of La Nazionale's code of ethics following an altercation in Roma's meeting with Inter Milan last Saturday.
France will entertain the Netherlands with coach Didier Deschamps seemingly close to knowing his final squad for Brazil.
The World Cup winner has nonetheless brought two new players on board, giving in-form Real Sociedad winger Antoine Griezmann a chance to shine as he searches for a wide man capable of operating on either flank. Promising young Paris Saint-Germain left-back Lucas Digne has also received a maiden call-up, while Eric Abidal and Samir Nasri have both been left out.
"Interpret that how you will," said Deschamps, whose opposite number Louis van Gaal has named four debutants in his squad.
Feyenoord's Jean-Paul Boetius, PSV Eindhoven's Karim Rekik, Davy Klaassen of Ajax and Twente winger Quincy Promes have all entered the Oranje fold for the first time, while Rafael van der Vaart has paid the price for a difficult recent spell on the pitch.
In Switzerland, coach Ottmar Hitzfeld is enjoying the luxury of a full squad for the visit of Croatia. The veteran German tactician thus welcomes back Xherdan Shaqiri, Johan Djourou, Pirmin Schwegler and Stephan Lichtsteiner following injuries for each player.
As for Portugal, Paulo Bento has included a pair of newcomers for his team's test against Cameroon, with forward duo Ivan Cavaleiro of Benfica and Braga's Rafa hoping to make a quick impression at senior level. In contrast, Rui Patricio, Bruno Alves, Nani and Helder Postiga have all missed the cut this time around.
