Several high-profile European friendlies are set for today but friendly would not be the term to be used with how they have been viewed by hard-pressed club managers.
The 2006 World Cup final rematch of France and victors Italy, Germany taking on old rivals the Netherlands and England playing Sweden would normally have great appeal.
However, the only appeal the schedule seems to have engendered is one from the club managers for a more reasonable approach to the international schedule while the friendlies have also been further weakened with a whole swathe of withdrawals.
Leading the calls for reason to prevail were the usual suspects of Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson who are even more furious because these friendlies don’t even serve a purpose for preparing for 2014 World Cup qualifiers as the next batch are in March.
“Friendly games at this time of year don’t mean a thing to me,” said Ferguson.
Wenger’s main concern is his midfielder Jack Wilshere who was recalled by England manager Roy Hodgson, after only playing three matches since a 17-month lay-off with injury.
“It is as it is. He has played three games now, and of the three games only one was a full game. He has been out 17 months but I think it’s good to have a little break after three games,” Wenger said.
“You know what I think, that it is too early for him,” he added.
Wenger and Ferguson’s criticisms have been the least of Hodgson’s problems as he has to do without several key players including Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Theo Walcott.
The Dutch will also have to do without a Manchester United star in Robin van Persie, who pulled out because of injury despite showing no signs of it in playing the entire match in the 3-2 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.
The Germans – who are seeking to put behind them memories of letting slip a 4-0 lead over the Swedes in their World Cup qualifier last month and being held to a 4-4 draw – will also have to improvise up front as Mario Gomez is still unavailable and veteran striker Miroslav Klose picked up an injury at the weekend.
Joachim Loew is likely to put Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus up front and while club managers may denigrate the worth of the friendlies they will not find German manager Oliver Bierhoff a sympathetic listener.
“We want to end this year in good fashion and win this prestigious duel in the Netherlands,” Bierhoff said.
“It is important to be tested like this. Regarding planning for the season, we intend to face opponents like them often.”
France coach Didier Deschamps has little time for the modern day footballer telling reporters last month they were the ‘Why? generation’.
His conviction will only have been strengthened by comments made by one of the more senior players in his squad for the Italy game, one of their few world class players Franck Ribery.
“Here (at his club of six years Bayern Munich) it is always good, here I am happy and here it’s fun. That is more important for me than the national team.”
Ribery’s remarks will only add grist to Wenger and Ferguson’s mill.
Today’s matches
Albania vs Cameroon - 20.45
Algeria vs Bosnia - 18.00
Andorra vs Iceland - 19.00
Armenia vs Lithuania - 16.00
Austria vs Ivory Coast - 20.30
Bulgaria vs Ukraine - 17.00
Chile vs Serbia - 20.00
Cyprus vs Finland - 18.00
Czech Rep. vs Slovakia - 17.30
Gabon vs Portugal - 20.30
Georgia vs Egypt - 15.00
Holland vs Germany - 20.30
Hungary vs Norway - 20.30
Ireland vs Greece - 20.45
Israel vs Belarus - 19.35
Italy vs France - 20.50
Liechtenstein vs Malta - 19.00
Luxembourg vs Scotland - 20.15
Macedonia vs Slovenia - 18.00
Panama vs Spain - 22.30
Poland vs Uruguay - 20.45
Romania vs Belgium - 20.00
Russia vs United States - 16.00
Saudi Arabia vs Argentina - 18.00
Sweden vs England - 20.30
Tunisia vs Switzerland - 18.15
Turkey vs Denmark - 20.00
UAE vs Estonia - 16.30