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Back of the Net: England vs Germany in friendly.

Jake Davies
Football

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By Jake Davies

  • England face Germany in build up match for Euro 2016
  • Sterling out for 8 weeks through injury
  • Dutch Legend Johan Cruyff passes away with cancer
  • Wales and Northen Ireland lock horns in an international friendly

Britwatch Football:

England vs Germany Preview

England challenge World Champions Germany in one of the matches to watch over the International Break, where many players will be looking to put their names forward for a place in the Euro 2016 squad this summer. It’ll be an intriguing contest, as England aim to test their very best stars against some of the great footballers of world football. In the lead up to the Euro 2016, it’s pivotal for England to translate positive international friendly results into good performances in the competitive international tournament ahead- something Germany are renowned for doing themselves.

Wayne Rooney will be out of Saturday’s match as he continues to recover from injury. His absence from the England Squad has left an empty space for the likes of Jamie Vardy and Theo Walcott to take advantage of when given the chance. England have a plethora of striking talent with Vardy and Harry Kane getting 40 goals between them in the league this season. It’s just a question of whether these players sparkling in the league can convert the same form and precise finishing in one of the biggest international tournaments of them all.

Several Tottenham Hotspur players will be given the opportunity to start against Germany, as Eric Dier, Danny Rose, Dele Ali and Kane are rewarded for their performances at domestic level with another call up to the England Squad.

 

Raheem Sterling out for up to eight weeks

Manchester City midfielder Raheem Sterling will be ruled out of the upcoming friendlies against Germany and Netherlands. Also he may be a doubt for the upcoming Euro 2016, as he’s likely not to play competitive domestic football for the rest of the season. Roy Hodgson has expressed in previous encounters with the media, that he’d be hesitant to bring any player to an international tournament without weeks of competitive football under their belt.

Johan Cruyff passes away from lung cancer

On the eve of Netherlands vs France in the famous Amsterdam Arena this Friday, the Dutch footballing icon Johan Cruyff has passed away after a short battle with lung cancer, but not without writing his name into football folklore as one of the greatest footballers of his generation. He had announced his illness in October of last year, and died peacefully in his home in Barcelona after a short battle from lung cancer.

 

Wales vs Northern Ireland meet in Cardiff

Wales’s biggest attractions in Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey are both absent ahead of the match in Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday. Further absentees include Newcastle fullback Paul Dummett and centre-back James Collins, who also will not be making the journey. Wales will still field as strong a line up as they can- regular Premier League centre-back Ashley Williams starts as a regular in this Welsh side and Sam Vokes will lead the line instead of Gareth Bale. Northern Ireland’s are without Chris Brunt due to a chronic knee problem that will see him miss the European Competition in the summer.

This is a valuable, integral match for both teams, who are searching for momentum ahead of their first qualification in the European Championships.

The International Friendlies take place between Thursday and Sunday.