International week roundup for Samp stars

Let’s take a look at how the Blucerchiati players fared on international duty.

After a good display against Paraguay, Luis Muriel featured for 45 minutes against Uruguay, who lead the standings in South America’s World Cup qualifying section. Colombia opened the scoring in Barranquilla courtesy of Aguilar before strikes from Cristian Rodriguez and Luis Suarez turned the game on its head. Yerry Mina’s header however earned Jose Pekerman’s side a solid point in their efforts to reach Russia 2018.

It was a week to remember for Milan Skriniar. After sealing his place at the European Under-21 championships, the Samp defender was then called up to the Slovakia senior side, where he impressed in midfield. The Doria man played the full 90 minutes as his country won 3-0 against Scotland thanks to a brace from Robert Mak and an Adam Nemec strike.

Karol Linetty was an unused substitute as Poland saw off Armenia in Warsaw thanks to an own goal from Mkoyan and a late winner from Robert Lewandowski. They sit top in Group E alongside Montenegro. Patrick Schick meanwhile had to settle for a point, playing 66 minutes of the Czech Republic’s stalemate with Azerbaijan.

It was all smiles for Bruno Fernandes as he captained Portugal Under-21s to a 7-1 rout of Lichtenstein. The Samp star pulled the strings in Vaduz, providing assists and getting his name on the scoresheet – he equalised after Salanovic had given the hosts the advantage. Podence, Guedes (2), Carvalho, Neves and Semedo also found the net for the Selecao who head into next summer’s championships among the favourites.

Two other Samp skippers were left licking their wounds however. Dennis Praet won’t be travelling to Poland next year with Belgium Under-21s. After their defeat in Montenegro, the Red Devils also succumbed to Latvia with a goal from Cernomordijs. Luka Krajnc won’t be involved either after Slovenia Under-21s came unstuck in Serbia. Lotric’s goal proved in vain as Djurdjevic hit a hat-trick.

Contrasting fortunes at Under-19 level. Denis Baumgartner’s Slovakia made it three wins from three against the Republic of Ireland (1-0), Poland (1-0) and Macedonia, securing their spot in the Elite round. The other Samp Primavera man Titas Krapikas, however, suffered a sequence of negative results. Lithuania lost to Azerbaijan (2-0), Austria (3-2) and Bosnia (3-0) and are out of the running.

Pedro Pereira meanwhile got his revenge on Primavera forward Giacomo Vrioni in the Under-19 friendly between Portugal and Italy. The Samp striker’s opener was ultimately useless after goals from Marques and Gedson gave the Portuguese revenge for their 2-1 loss in the sides’ previous meeting.