There will be major absences in the Germany vs Italy and Netherlands vs Austria international friendly matches, as Mario Gomez and Van Persie are both set to miss their countries’ challenges.
Arsenal’s Van Persie pulled out of the Holland squad ahead of their game on Wednesday, after he caught with flu. Luckily for the Netherlands’ coach Bert van Marwijk, he has found a replacement for his striker which comes in the name of FC Twente’s Luuk de Jong.
Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart and Manchester City player Nigel de Jong also pulled out at the weekend, following recently-sustained injuries. This toughens the situation for the World Cup finalists, who are nevertheless forced to find quick solutions for their own benefits.
On their side, Germany also appear to have their problems prior to their friendly against Italy in Dortmund. Playmaker and Bundesliga top scorer Mario Gomez has been declared unfit to face the 2006 world champions following a knee injury; but this is not good news for Manager Joachim Loew, who is already close to missing midfielder Sami Khedira to a leg injury.
Germany will look to bounce back from an unsatisfying goalless draw with Sweden back in November last year, when they face Italy on February 9. The Netherlands were victorious in their last friendly against Turkey, but they will still need to put in a convincing performance against Austria, if ever they are willing to keep their good form which has kept them unbeaten since the 2010 World Cup in 6 matches.
Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart and Manchester City player Nigel de Jong also pulled out at the weekend, following recently-sustained injuries. This toughens the situation for the World Cup finalists, who are nevertheless forced to find quick solutions for their own benefits.
On their side, Germany also appear to have their problems prior to their friendly against Italy in Dortmund. Playmaker and Bundesliga top scorer Mario Gomez has been declared unfit to face the 2006 world champions following a knee injury; but this is not good news for Manager Joachim Loew, who is already close to missing midfielder Sami Khedira to a leg injury.
Germany will look to bounce back from an unsatisfying goalless draw with Sweden back in November last year, when they face Italy on February 9. The Netherlands were victorious in their last friendly against Turkey, but they will still need to put in a convincing performance against Austria, if ever they are willing to keep their good form which has kept them unbeaten since the 2010 World Cup in 6 matches.
