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The second round of matches for the UEFA Nations League goes down this week. If the first round of games is anything to go by, it promises to be spell-binding.
The highlight of the first round of games was undoubtedly Spain. After the disgraceful World Cup outing, Luis Enrique took over as manager. Nobody foresaw what followed. The Spaniards outclassed Russia 2018 semi-finalists England 2-1 at Wembley. They then thrashed World Cup finalists Croatia 6-1 to signal their seriousness under new management.
It was a case of same of the same for Germany. The pathetic title defence in Russia was followed by another poor display against World Cup winners France (a dire goalless draw). Italy is another team that struggled badly with 1 point from 2 games.
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The second round of the UEFA Nations League promises to continue in the same vein. Here is a look at 5 of the top games from this round of matches:
#5 Russia versus Sweden (Group B2)
The Russians are still riding the high from the successful outing at the World Cup they hosted. Fuelled by patriotism and a never-say-die attitude, Stanislav Cherchesov’s men surprised even themselves by getting to the quarterfinals.
Fellow World Cup quarterfinalists Sweden have been brought back down to earth after their World Cup exploits. In the opening UEFA Nations League tie against Turkey at home in Stockholm, the Blagult threw away a two-goal lead and lost 3-2.
The Russians had beaten the Turks 2-1 in Istanbul in their opening group encounter and currently lead the group. It promises to be an amazing encounter at the majestic Luzhniki Stadium.
With longtime goalie Igor Akinfeev announcing his retirement, workhorse and striker Artem Dyzuba has taken over the captain’s mantle. With the creativity of Aleksander Golovin, the tireless Manuel Fernandes and the lethal left foot of Dennis Cheryshev, the Sbornaya are well placed to get all three points.
Sweden is a limited but committed side. Manager Janne Andersson will be urging his side on knowing how crucial the three points are. Strikers Isaac Kiese Thelin and John Guidetti will be tasked with getting the goals while AS Roma goalie Rob Olsen will be marshalling the defence. At this stage, it is difficult to look past a Russian victory.
#4 Belgium versus Switzerland (Group A2)
After a memorable World Cup outing where they came 3rd, Belgium has continued to look the part. They took apart Iceland 3-0 in their first UEFA Nations League game. The Swiss went 2 better thrashing the Icelanders 6-0 in their first game.
The clash between the Red Devils and the Nationalelf promises to be fascinating as it will pit the fast-paced attacking impetus of the Belgians against the defensively solid Swiss teams. Roberto Martinez and his men will want to make a statement by getting maximum points against Vladimir Petkovic’s team.
In Eden Hazard, Belgium has a man in the form of the life. The Chelsea star will be the man to watch in the tie. However, Martinez has a lot of stars to call upon and will be confident of taking maximum points from the tie.
The Swiss will be relying on the mercurial talents of Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka to provide the creative spark. They are a well-drilled side, very physical and disciplined. All signs point to a comprehensive Belgian win, anything else would be a shock.
#3 Poland versus Portugal (Group A3)
Both teams will be satisfied with their displays against the Azzurri in the first round of games. The Poles were unlucky not to get maximum points against Roberto Mancini’s men. Portugal went one better, beating Italy 1-0 courtesy of an Andre Silva strike.
New manager Jerzy Brzęczek will have been satisfied with his team’s performance in the tie against Italy. However, too many chances were spurned and the manager would not want a repeat. As always, captain Robert Lewandowski will carry the goalscoring burden. However, there is more to the Orły (The Eagles) than the Bayern Munich hotshot. The likes of Piotr Zielinski, Kamil Gilik, Wojciech Szczęsny, Krzysztof Piątek, and others make the team a threat to all kinds of opposition.
Portugal will be once again without captain Cristiano Ronaldo due to the recent rape allegations. Fernando Santos will be confident of getting a result in Warsaw without his talisman. In Andre Silva, Ruben Neves, Bernardo Silva, and co. with the experience of Pepe at the back, they have enough to get a positive result.
#2 The Netherlands versus Germany (Group A1)
Old foes will meet again in this timeless classic. After a disappointing couple of years, there are faint stirrings of life for the Oranje. Under manager Ronald Koeman, the team has looked exactly like what it is; a side in transition after a long dry spell.
The former Everton and Valencia manager has turned to youth in his rebuilding efforts with the Ajax pair of Matthijs De Ligt and Frenkie De Jong prominent among the new generation. World’s most expensive defender Virgil Van Dijk is the captain and leader.
One area the team has struggled at is goal-scoring. Similar to their German counterparts, the Dutch no longer have a fantastic striker to put away chances like they used to. Hence, Lyon winger Memphis Depay has played as the attack’s arrowhead in recent games (the UEFA Nations League loss against France for instance).
The Germans are in a full-blown crisis after their limp displays at Russia 2018. Manager Joachim Loew has retained his position but so far, has failed to make the much-needed changes. The German team is still as one dimensional and slow as it was at the World Cup (mirroring Bayern Munich perfectly).
No new faces have been added to the setup (minus the recall of Leroy Sane). Both sides sit behind France in the standings and will be desperate for the three points after a draw (Germany) and loss (Netherlands) in their opening UEFA Nations League games against Les Bleus.
#1 Spain versus England (Group A4)
If the first leg was anything to go by, the second leg tie between these sides promises some epic football. Fresh from a first World Cup semifinal since 1990, England’s Three Lions were confident of getting a good result against the Spaniards.
Gareth Southgate and Luis Enrique had named strong teams. In the end, the guile of La Furia Roja won over the fury and power of the English. This game will be coming after the equally decisive Croatia versus England tie. Southgate is well aware of what is at stake. A win in Spain will be vital if England is to make use of the UEFA Nations League as the quick qualification route to the 2020 European Championship.
Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and the rest of the big hitters are available for this must-win encounter. New kids James Maddison, Jadon Sancho may not get a look-in depending on how things go.
Paco Alcacer is back to his best on loan at Borussia Dortmund and has been recalled to the Spanish fold. Dani Ceballos, Marco Asensio, Rodrigo Moreno, Rodri all shone brightly in the first two UEFA Nations League games. They are all in the side to face the English.
The result from the Croatia versus England match will obviously have an effect on what happens at the Estadio Benito Villamarin on 15/10/2018. Whatever happens, it promises excitement galore.
