SOCCER EURO 2012:CROATIA MANAGER Slaven Bilic is expected to include injured midfielder Niko Krancjar when he names his preliminary squad for Euro 2012 today. The 27-year-old's season with Spurs had been ended prematurely by a knee problem but he is believed to be recovering well and on course to play at the finals.
Krancjar was Croatia’s top scorer in the qualifiers with four goals in eight group games and he is an important part of Bilic’s midfield so his likely fitness will represent a boost.
The manager is expected to stick very much with the group of players that secured qualification although there is a question over whether he decides to include recently-naturalised Brazilian Jorge Campos Cruz Sammir, a 24-year-old attacking midfielder, who had a very good season with Dinamo Zagreb.
The Sammir issue has divided supporters along club lines with Dinamo fans pushing for his inclusion while supporters of arch-rivals Hajduk Split opposed. More importantly for Bilic, perhaps, there are rumours some of his players are upset at the prospect of another Brazilian – striker Eduardo was born in Rio de Janeiro – being drafted in.
Italy manager Cesare Prandelli, meanwhile, has moved to dampen expectations amongst the team’s supporters, pointing to the loss of striker Giuseppe Rossi and the threat of a reaction to the failures of Real Madrid and Barcelona in the Champions League.
“Our potential has been decreased by 50 per cent,” said the former Fiorentina boss who virtually confirmed Udinese striker Antonio Di Natale will now be in the squad, “but I’m not worried and I’ll have to improvise. Our desire to surprise has to be stronger than our difficulties. We shouldn’t forget you can find some nice surprises in the most difficult moments.
“We have the time to prepare for our first game against Spain. Even if the fact that Barcelona and Real Madrid didn’t make the Champions League final makes Spain more dangerous. Croatia are a tough team too, with a very competitive midfield and attack. They’ll be a hard obstacle to get over. Then there is Giovanni Trapattoni’s Ireland.”
Spain’s Carles Puyol has dismissed suggestions he might retire from international football after all but ruling himself out of the championships due to a knee problem that requires surgery. The 34 year-old will have the operation on Saturday. He insists he will start his recovery the next day but admits to believing it is “impossible” he would be ready to join Vicente del Bosque’s squad.
“It would be very difficult,” he said. “Those who are fittest have to go. It would be unfair to take a player who is not at 100 per cent. My plan is to carry on for many more years. But you have to take it season by season.
“The only thing I am thinking about is getting back to 100 per cent, and then if there is a chance to play the 100th game (he has 99 caps), I would be delighted.”
