Top 5 fixtures to watch during the international break

France Portugal
France travel to Portugal to play in an international friendly

All club football action in Europe will come to a standstill for a couple of weeks as the first international break of the 2015/16 season makes its presence felt. After a few laborious and cumbersome weeks in club colours, the stars of football will now have some crucial international duties to perform with tournaments such as the 2016 Euros and the Copa America century cup are set to kick off next summer. As we anxiously await the recommence of the domestic leagues, here are some of the international fixtures you can watch to kill time.

#1 Portugal vs France - International Friendly

France Portugal
France travel to Portugal to play in an international friendly

Venue: Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon

Kickoff: 5 September 2015 – 12:15 AM (IST)

Euro 2016 hosts France resume the last phase of their preparations for the upcoming continental competition on home soil with a trip to Portugal. Having already played the Selecao A back in October last year, Les Bleus now compete in the second leg of the friendly before they entertain Serbia at home three days later.

Since the quarter-final exit at the hands of Germany in the World Cup last year, Didier Deschamps’ men have been on a roll, going unbeaten in all games since, only for the run to be halted stunningly by Albania in their last outing which dates back to June this year. On the other hand, the Portuguese have fared considerably well under manager Fernando Santos, since his appointment in September 2014, winning six of their eight games under him.

Moreover, they stand on the cusp of securing a direct berth in the 24 seats available for the Euro showpiece next year as 4 points is what they all need from the remaining set of qualifiers. This friendly game will test each side’s credibility and measure their preparations.

#2 Argentina vs Mexico - International Friendly

Argentina Mexico
Argentina play their first international match after losing the Copa America final

Venue: AT&T stadium – Arlington, Texas, USA

Kickoff: 9 September 2015 – 9:15 AM (IST)

In the aftermath of the heartbreaking loss to Chile in the finals of Copa America earlier this year, Lionel Messi-led Argentina play in their first official game before they start the 2018 World Cup qualifiers of the CONMEBOL zone. The Albiceleste have endured two near misses in the last two years and would be hoping to break their duck in the international stage next year when Copa America celebrates its century.

But the work towards the glory begins now when they take on familiar rivals in Mexico, who get back in action since conquering the CONCACAF Gold Cup in America. The two sides have met for a total of 31 times in the past, and on 12 of those occasions the Latin-Americans have come out in front.

Although the friendly comes as an inconsequential one to both sides, it comes as an opportunity to experiment new formations, players and tactics. Argentina and Mexico each participate in two international friendlies this week and then hit off on the road to the 2018 World Cup by beginning the qualifiers next month.

#3 USA vs Brazil - International friendly

Dunga Jurgen Klinsmann USA Brazil
Jurgen Klinsmann and Dunga will face off as USA take on Brazil

Venue: Gillette Stadium – Massachusetts, USA

Kickoff: 9 September 2015 – 5:30 AM (IST)

Dunga will be hoping to start a new era in Brazil football as his Selecao take on the Americans in their first international fixture since the embarrassment at the hands of Paraguay in Copa America earlier this year. The former World Cup-winning captain was reappointed at the helm, as a successor to Luiz Felipe Scolari following the debacle on home soil in the FIFA mega event last summer.

He registered an impressive run of 10 victories on the spin, only to be hit with another stumbling block at a major event. The great footballing nation of South America has lost its pride in the eyes of the spectators and has hit an all-time nadir.

For the man who will be in the opposite dugout, it is a question of redemption as Jurgen Klinsmann seeks to get the USMNT back on track following the shock loss at the Gold Cup on home soil. They welcome the Canary Yellows on Tuesday after a date with their neighbours from the north, Peru. They then compete with Mexico for a place in the 2017 Confederations Cup, in a two-legged play-off match next month.

#4 England vs Switzerland - Euro 2016 qualifier

England Switzerland
England beat Switzerland 2-0 the last time they met in the Euro 2016 qualifiers

Venue: Wembley Stadium – London, England

Kickoff: 9 September 2015 – 12:15 AM (IST)

Perennial underachievers, England, have all but secured a qualification in the 2016 Euros next year as a win at San Marino is all they need right now. After winning all of their six qualifying games so far, the Three Lions sit comfortably atop Group E with a massive 6-point advantage over the second best team of the group, Switzerland, whom they host at the Wembley next week.

A Danny Welbeck double last September made the difference at Basel and Roy Hodgson’s men will be looking to continue their impressive qualifying run by pulling off yet another win. As it is, England have won their last seven games at Wembley and their last defeat there came back in February 2014 when Germany prevailed 1-0 over the home side.

Therefore, the odds are certainly stacked heavily in favour of the UK side.

#5 Germany vs Poland - Euro 2016 qualifier

Germany Poland
Poland beat Germany 2-0 in the reverse fixture in 2014

Venue: Commerzbank Arena – Frankfurt, Germany

Date and Time: 5 September 2015 – 12:15 AM (IST)

World champions Germany are out to avenge the shock 2-0 loss at the hands of Poland last year as they finalise their preparations for the crunch reverse fixture at Frankfurt. Die Mannschaft had a tumultuous start to the qualifying campaign but have got themselves up and running with three victories on the bounce.

A fourth one here at home would see them usurp The White Eagles from the summit of group D. Joachim Low’s side were at their rip-roaring best when they took apart a hapless Gibraltar 7-0 back in June and will be hoping to approach the game in the same vein and get the jobe done three days later when they fly to Glasgow to face Scotland.

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Edited by Staff Editor