With a vital set of European Championship qualifiers to come next month, this midweek’s card of friendly fixtures offers a chance for coaches across the continent to do some fine-tuning.
It may be early in the season, but there are plenty of potentially exciting games today, in particular the visit of reigning World and European champions Spain to Italy.
Vicente Del Bosque’s side have a perfect record in Euro 2012 qualifying Group I, and with their presence at next year’s finals in Poland and Ukraine all but guaranteed, the match in Bari is a chance for some of those on the fringes of the first team to stake a claim for a regular place.
Spain make the journey minus several members of the side that triumphed in South Africa last year, with Carles Puyol, Joan Capdevila, Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Ramos all either injured or short of fitness.
In addition, Xavi Hernandez withdrew on Monday citing a calf injury, but his Barcelona team-mate Thiago Alcantara has been rewarded for a stunning pre-season with a first call-up, and Malaga left-back Nacho Monreal is also named.
Italy, who can themselves seal qualification for the European Championship finals next month, are rebuilding just now, but Giuseppe Rossi insists that they have what it takes to beat the best the world has to offer.
“Of course, we can beat them,” the Villarreal striker said.
“We are a new group, we still have to improve, but we have already shown that we have quality.”
Tipped by many to be Spain’s biggest rivals in Ukraine and Poland, Germany’s promising young side play host to Brazil at a sold-out in Stuttgart.
Joachim Loew’s squad for the match contains eight Bayern Munich players, while Borussia Dortmund summer signing Ilkay Gundogan is poised for his debut against a Brazil side seeking redemption after a poor showing at the Copa America last month.
France also play host to South American opposition, with Chile the visitors to Montpellier.
Coach Laurent Blanc may see the game as something of a homecoming after making his name as a player with Montpellier two decades ago, but this encounter will also enable “Le President” to clear any selection issues ahead of next month’s qualifying double-header away to Albania and Romania.
Russia and Ireland clash in a huge game in qualifying Group B on September 6, but before that Dick Advocaat’s side host Serbia today while Ireland face Croatia in Dublin.
Elsewhere, Greece travel to Bos-nia, Portugal host Liechtenstein, Norway face Czech Republic, Uk-raine meet Sweden and Scotland entertain Denmark at Hampden.
Today’s friendlies
Albania vs Montenegro
Azerbaijan vs Macedonia
Austria vs Slovakia
Belarus vs Bulgaria
Bosnia vs Greece
Cyprus vs Moldova
England vs Netherlands - pp
France vs Chile
Germany vs Brazil
Hungary vs Iceland
Italy vs Spain
Ivory Coast vs Israel
Latvia vs Finland
Liechtenstein vs Switzerland
Lithuania vs Armenia
Malta vs Central African Rep.
Norway vs Czech Republic
Poland vs Georgia
Portugal vs Luxembourg
Rep. of Ireland vs Croatia
Russia vs Serbia
Scotland vs Denmark
Slovenia vs Belgium
Turkey vs Estonia
Ukraine vs Sweden
Wales vs Australia