Just when you thought it was over... Football is back.
On Wednesday night Portugal face Switzerland before England and Netherlands play off on Thursday night in the semi finals of the inaugural Nations League.
This is quickly followed by the 3rd place play off on Sunday, and the final on Sunday evening.
Portugal host all 4 games, and have Ronaldo in the squad despite speculation he wouldn't play. Uncapped but very highly rated Joao Felix is in the squad, while Wolves Diogo Jota will also be looking to win his first cap. Manchester City's Bernardo Silva should be an important player for them as well.
Switzerland are the outsiders, and are captained by Granit Xhaka. Known as a defensive side, Liverpools Xherdan Shaqiri will have a lot of pressure to create for the likes of Haris Seferovic and Breel Embolo.
Will England make the same mistake as Spurs and chuck Harry Kane straight in? Probably. With Marcus Rashford the only real alternative, Englands hopes may lie with the wide men Raheem Sterling and Jadon Sancho. With so many of the squad involved in Saturday's CL final it will be interesting to see if they are ready to go again on Thursday.
The Dutch were seemingly in turmoil at the start of the Nations League group stage. After missing out on the World Cup, they were facing a group with world champions France and Germany. Yet Ronald Koeman has quickly turned them around, and I see the, as favourites. Virgil van Dijk and Matthjis de Ligt are the two highest rated CBs going, but their striker options are not the envy of the world. Memphis Depay has recovered from his spell at United and will be the danger man.
Tbh neither semi final game looks a classic on paper, but I predict Portugal and the Netherlands to progress to Sunday's final.
Should point out, the final winners win the Nations League and that's that. No Euro20 place is up for grabs.
Nations League...
posted on 3/6/19
Everyone on the pitch on Saturday looked very leggy. I'm expecting great games tbh but I'd go with your prediction. The Dutch and Ronaldo to go progress.
posted on 3/6/19
Can’t wait for the squad meet up and Hendo grinning at Sterling and daring him to start singing.
posted on 3/6/19
comment by Redinthehead - FreeGaza - فلسطين (U1860)
posted 5 minutes ago
Can’t wait for the squad meet up and Hendo grinning at Sterling and daring him to start singing.
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That's the true beauty of international football. Enemies become team mates. Spurs players having to share a training pitch with their conquerors of Saturday must be hard for them.
posted on 3/6/19
"Should point out, the final winners win the Nations League and that's that. No Euro20 place is up for grabs."
I thought that was the whole reason for it
posted on 3/6/19
A misconception held by many, Mike.
Next summer there are play offs based on the Nations League for teams who don't qualify through the traditional qualifiers. But this week is simply to find the champions of the Nations League.
posted on 3/6/19
Next Spring, actually. Think it is in March.
posted on 3/6/19
Still hope we win it, winning a trophy of any kind would be fantastic for the group of younger players in the squad we have under Southgate and against some decent 'big name' sides like we've played (and would have to beat) to win it would do them the world of good.
posted on 3/6/19
Think it has been a good tournament. Could do with a few tweeks, and perhaps take over from traditional qualifying totally.
posted on 3/6/19
its better than friendlies atleast?
posted on 3/6/19
Agree, I think it will be Portugal vs Netherlands in the final. Portugal to win it imo.
Hopefully England can recover well from the hangovers of last weekend though and carry on the positive run we're having. It would be great to be the first ever winners.