Allen Hamilton
What: Euro 2012 Qualifiers – Group G
Who: Montenegro (2nd; 11 points) vs England (1st; 17 points)
When: Friday 7th October, 2011, at 20:00 UK time
Where: Stadion Podgorica, Podgorica, Montenegro
An Honourable Showing
The door is not completely closed for Montenegro to topple England at the top of Group G, but the Balkan minnows well understand that their chances are limited. Nevertheless, second place is within the country’s grasp and, after such an honourable qualifying campaign thus far, being pipped to the post by Switzerland, who sit just a win behind, would be a disaster.
And there is much reason for Montenegro to hope for a good result against England: After all, as striker Dejan Damjanovic reminded his team-mates, the side claimed a point from the reverse fixture between the two at Wembley via a 0-0 draw.
"If we could go to London and win a point, why should we not believe now?", said the 30-year-old, who plies his trade in South Korea with FC Seoul.
"I think it will be easier for us than in London, playing in front of our own fans, we’ll be relaxed and not as respectful", added Damjanovic.
Montenegro need to bounce back from a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Wales in their last qualifier, but England should not expect the minnows to wilt so easily on home turf.
Almost There
For Fabio Capello the qualification job is almost complete, with England needing just a draw in Podgorica to ensure progression to next summer’s European Championship in Poland and the Ukraine. Unfortunately for the Italian, chatter has already started to pick up pace over just who his successor might be.
Capello will know that such talk is a distraction his players and himself could well do without, especially when they are so close to booking a finals berth.
England have stuttered at times during their qualification campaign, with the draw against Montenegro last year ample reminder that, no matter who the opposition, a certain level of performance must be reached. The talent is there and Capello’s men have not been truly stretched, something they could well be here without the right attitude. It is a trap striker Danny Welbeck has been adamant that they will not fall into.
"I don’t think it would be right to go to Montenegro and look for a point", said the Manchester United hitman. "Our aim is to go and win every single game that we go into and I don’t see why we can’t do that on Friday."
Recent form
Montenegro:
Montenegro 1-1 Bulgaria
(04/06; Euro 2012 Qualifiers)
Albania 3-2 Montenegro
(10/08; Friendly)
Wales 2-1 Montenegro
(02/09; Euro 2012 Qualifiers)
England:
England 2-2 Switzerland
(04/06; Euro 2012 Qualifiers)
Bulgaria 0-3 England (02/09; Euro 2012 Qualifiers)
England 1-0 Wales (06/09; Euro 2012 Qualifiers)
Players to watch
Montenegro – Stefan Savic: While not too many of the Montenegro squad will have experience of playing against an English style of pace and power, Savic should know his opponents’ game, as well as several of the England squad. The centre back moved to Manchester City in the summer and at 20 years old is one of the big hopes of Montenegro for the future. Savic needs to put in a big performance here.
England – Gary Cahill: England’s forward players may be expected to end up with the headlines at the end of the evening’s work, but Cahill will be desperate to continue to impress if given the chance. The Bolton Wanderers man is beginning to win over Fabio Capello and, following the Italian’s decision to leave Rio Ferdinand out of the squad, could truly cement a Euro 2012 flight ticket.
Match Prediction
Montenegro are no mugs and can be guaranteed to present England with a testing obstacle. However, Capello’s men are clearly more than a few notches above the opposition and, if taking the encounter seriously, can run out comfortable winners as was the case in Bulgaria last month. Montenegro 0-2 England.
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