After another batch of pointless international friendlies, one must question the timing and the need at this point in the soccer calendar, especially when it comes at a critical point in the domestic league for most nations.
I can understand the honour that comes with playing for your country, but with the amount of matches already being played in a year, players cannot be expected to maintain the same levels without picking up an injury along the way.
Ask Sir Alex Ferguson or his counterpart Huub Stevens of Schalke how they felt watching the nasty mid-air head-to head collision between Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Chris Smalling. Even Liverpool and Chelsea saw players limp off through suspected injuries, with the health of Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge now coming into question
Naturally, managers are well aware of how their regulars cope under the spotlight of an international match, so the only positives found in having to play these ridiculous friendlies are few and far between. They do provide an outlet for players on the fringes to make a statement of intent and show their manager what they have to offer. Looking at some of the squad lists before kick off on Wednesday, it was a trend that was being duplicated around the globe.
I focused on a select few that had some interesting talking points before and after the final whistle
To read more click on the link below...
http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2012/02/29/michalakos_soccer_friendlies/
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