Blucerchiati international round-up

The international break has thrown up mixed fortunes for the Sampdoria players away with their respective countries.

It was a week to forget for Luis Muriel. The Colombia striker came home early after sustaining an injury to his right thigh. The forward picked up the knock after 33 minutes of his side’s match against Bolivia and has since travelled back to Bogliasco. Jose Pekerman’s side still won the match 1-0 courtesy of a James Rodriguez strike and they face another key qualifier on the road to Russia 2018 tomorrow in Ecuador.

Patrik Schick was also unable to play his part for his country. The Czech international was unable to shake off the sprain he suffered against Juventus and wasn’t involved in either of his side’s matches. The Czechs won 3-0 against Lithuania in a friendly, before routing San Marino 6-0 in a qualifier. Schick is already back in Genoa to try and regain full fitness. On a positive note, the young star, 21, was named his country’s best emerging talent of the year.

It was a weekend to remember for Daniel Pavlovic, meantime, as the full-back made his debut for Bosnia-Herzegovina. The left-back came on for the second half of his country’s 5-0 win over Gibraltar in Zenica. Vrsajevic, Visca and Bicakcic were all on target, while Ibisevic hit two, and the team from the Balkans are now well on course to qualify for next summer’s finals.

It was all smiles for Bartosz Bereszynski and Karol Linetty too, after Poland beat Montenegro in Podgorica. Lewandowski and Piszczek got the goals to secure a 2-1 victory and three big points for Nawalka’s men. Poland are now six clear of Montenegro at the top of the group. Linetty featured for the last 12 minutes, while Bereszynski was an unused substitute.

Milan Skriniar was a relieved man after his mistake in Malta ultimately didn’t prove costly for Slovakia. Despite being pegged back on 14 minutes, goals at the end of each half from Gregus and Nemec sealed a 3-1 victory for Kozak’s team. Hamsik et al remain second in the group behind leaders England.

At youth-team level, Bruno Fernandes came on for the second half of Portugal Under-21’s 3-1 win over Norway in Estoril. Paciencia and Jota scored either side of a Ruben Semedo strike. Despite a 2-1 loss to Belarus, Titas Krapikas will have fond memories of the game in Vilnius, as the keeper made his debut for Lithuania Under-21s.