Sampdoria international round-up

It’s international week once again and there are several Blucerchiati players off representing their countries while Serie A takes a breather. Let’s take a look at how Doria’s international contingent are getting on so far.

Ivan Strinic’s Croatia are celebrating after securing a spot at the 2018 World Cup following their play-off win over Greece. Croatia won the first leg 4-1 (Modric 13, Kalinic 19, Papastathopoulos 30, Perisic 33, Kramaric 49) in Zagreb before sealing qualification with a 0-0 draw in Athens. The Blucerchiati left-back played all 180 minutes and supplied one assist during the tie.

Duvan Zapata’s Colombia – who are already assured of a spot in Russia – were beaten 2-1 by South Korea in Suwon. Son Heung-Min scored both goals for the Koreans (11 and 61), while the other Zapata – Cristian – pulled one back for Colombia on 77 minutes, with Duvan having already made way for Bacca on 64 minutes. Colombia take on China in Chongqing on Tuesday.

Bartosz Bereszynski played the full 90 minutes as Poland drew 0-0 with Uruguay in Warsaw, while Karol Linetty was an unused sub. The midfielder will be hoping to be involved when Poland take on Mexico in Gdansk on Monday evening.

At U21 level, Dawid Kownacki’s Poland were held to a 2-2 draw by the Faroe Islands in Torshavn. The captain opened the scoring from the spot on 35 minutes, but was sent off on 79 minutes with the scores at 1-1 (Olsen pen. 52) for two bookable offences. The home side took the lead a minute after Kownacki’s red card, but Bartosz salvaged a point for Poland in the fourth minute of added time. It means Poland’s upcoming match against group leaders Denmark could spell the end for their hopes of qualifying for the European Championship.

Titas Krapikas was involved as Lithuania U21s held their Belarussian counterparts to a 0-0 draw in Minsk, with the Doria keeper coming on in the second half. On Tuesday, Lithuania travel to Georgia where a Euro 2019 qualifier awaits.

David Ivan played a key role as Slovakia U23s defeated England C 4-0 in the International Challenge Trophy. Ivan started the game and scored Slovakia’s second goal, with Orsula (37), Fasko (52) and Herc (68) grabbing the others.