Topic: The UEFA Nations League 2020/2021 Discussion Thread - page 3. (Read 17145 times)
Italy has nothing to play football for for the time being, as they are not allowed to participate in the World Cup. They could put everything on the Nations League, but how important do they think that prize there? They are the reigning European champions, so they may not care much about the Nations league title. I think other countries think the same way. In addition, the players have then had a World Cup, and also a tough competition (for 95% of the players of these teams), so they don't feel like it at all. They actually had vacation anyway instead of playing a few more games. Younger players are more ambitious, for them every prize counts more likely. I think Italy is the best team, but Croatia reached the final of the World Cup in 2018.
We have the final 4, but who is actually the favourite? Italy, Croatia, the Netherlands and Spain. Those are 4 countries with an excellent selection. I don't think we have a favorite. Italy has had a bad period by missing out on the World Cup due to the elimination against North Macedonia. The Netherlands has already reached the final once, but Italy is the reigning European champion. You can expect everything from Spain. The title but also a defeat. When is the draw for the semi-finals? I understand that the matches are played in the Netherlands, which is a huge advantage for the Netherlands team.
I would call Italy the main favorite, because one should expect extreme motivation from them due to the fact that they miss the World Cup and are now forced to fight for at least some title. But the final part will be held as early as June 2023 and it is difficult to say how much strength the players will have after the most difficult season, and in general it is difficult to predict for such a long time ahead.
From the existing team, it is clear that Italy will be more motivated. They lost their world cup tickets so indeed they have to try something interesting at least to please their Italian fans.
England played well. But unfortunately, due to some mistakes, they could not get full points. England's defense was not strong enough. Maguire's performance in particular was worse. If the England team is not able to strengthen their defense, then it seems that we will not get a good performance from them in the next World Cup. England coach Gareth Southgate should continue to strengthen his defense and midfield. England's attack is still quite strong.
Regardless poor performance by Maguire indeed England has almost made epic come back because after conceded 2 goals they can scoring 3 goals only in 12 minutes but unfortunately they weren't lucky enough and Kai Havertz can equalized the score but overall compared to England performance from previous matches i think this is one of their best performances in this competition although they needed to improved their defense because upcoming competition will be more hard for them and it's time to Southgate to find other players instead of Maguire because it is not wise to put the player into starting eleven while that player is not at his best performance England's performance in this match is very good. The performances of their midfield and forward players in particular were excellent. Performances from Luke Shaw, Jude Bellingham, Foden and Harry Kane were excellent. Due to good performances from midfield and strikers, England managed to draw the match despite a poor defence. If England's defenders had been able to play well in this match then England would have controlled the match and could have won.
We have the final 4, but who is actually the favourite? Italy, Croatia, the Netherlands and Spain. Those are 4 countries with an excellent selection. I don't think we have a favorite. Italy has had a bad period by missing out on the World Cup due to the elimination against North Macedonia. The Netherlands has already reached the final once, but Italy is the reigning European champion. You can expect everything from Spain. The title but also a defeat. When is the draw for the semi-finals? I understand that the matches are played in the Netherlands, which is a huge advantage for the Netherlands team.
I would call Italy the main favorite, because one should expect extreme motivation from them due to the fact that they miss the World Cup and are now forced to fight for at least some title. But the final part will be held as early as June 2023 and it is difficult to say how much strength the players will have after the most difficult season, and in general it is difficult to predict for such a long time ahead.
We have the final 4, but who is actually the favourite? Italy, Croatia, the Netherlands and Spain. Those are 4 countries with an excellent selection. I don't think we have a favorite. Italy has had a bad period by missing out on the World Cup due to the elimination against North Macedonia. The Netherlands has already reached the final once, but Italy is the reigning European champion. You can expect everything from Spain. The title but also a defeat. When is the draw for the semi-finals? I understand that the matches are played in the Netherlands, which is a huge advantage for the Netherlands team.
Currently I'd say that the inform teams are Croatia and Netherlands, but both Spain and Italy have won away from home in clutch games against their direct rivals for the final 4.
Since the tournament will be played in the summer, picking favorites now is an impossible task. We'll be much smarter in May, the strongest team on paper is Spain with the weakest being Croatia.
Pele is one of the legend Brazil is proud of having and he have a stunning record which have stood for 51 years as the highest goalscorer with 77 goals in 92 games. The amazing part of it is that Neymar Jr have his kind of way of becoming a legend with close to breaking the goal tally and he's a genius in his own making. Neymar is just two goals away and definitely he would break that record and even hits up pass 80 goals for Brazil. The country is known for having good players with skills as Neymar have a new set of attackers that would support him in the upcoming worldcup in qater.
Honestly I think that Spain and Italy are the most unlikely teams to win the Nations League.
Spain were quite in trouble against Portugal actually. People who have watched the match are already aware of how many dangerous chance Portugal found but couldn't take advantage of any. Spain got really lucky in that match and their goal was also due to a defensive mistake. When it comes to Italy they are already not very reliable team as well. I appreciate their getting two wins in their last group matches because this form helped them finish as leader. However they gave so many goal chances to Hungary and England both in those matches. Defensive issues might cause them to be eliminated in next stage.
Italy and Spain are favourites for sure. From here to June 2023, throughout World Cup, many things could change including management, injuries and so on.Spain were quite in trouble against Portugal actually. People who have watched the match are already aware of how many dangerous chance Portugal found but couldn't take advantage of any. Spain got really lucky in that match and their goal was also due to a defensive mistake. When it comes to Italy they are already not very reliable team as well. I appreciate their getting two wins in their last group matches because this form helped them finish as leader. However they gave so many goal chances to Hungary and England both in those matches. Defensive issues might cause them to be eliminated in next stage.
Netherlands is an interesting team too, we will see how far they could go in World Cup first. CR7 is less likely to win but who knows.
That is exactly how it is. Ronaldo has to take a different position in the team. He has to motivate the team, because that makes it easier to win games. If you watch Ronaldo after a lost game, he sometimes gets aggressive and angry and that doesn't make the team better. He has to go to the World Cup, but he should adjust his attitude and stop playing so much.
This is still one of his traits which is very difficult to change even though we know it's part of his ambition but when things like this keep happening over and over again it's actually also disturbing for the concentration of other players because they will definitely be very depressed by this.He is one great player but at his age I actually quite agree with you because it can be a good regeneration if he displays really good leadership. It's not that he's not good now but there's still some work to be done.
There's no chance that Ronaldo will not play the entire 90 minutes really. There's so much pressure from everyone to see him play. I don't think they will put any younger player instead of him, specially since this will probably be his last appearance in the world cup.
It's time he understood that his best days are over. He dont playing not the total 90 minutes and give the youngstats the time. He still wants to go on, but he is reaching his limit. I think if he understands that, it will be better for his team. That goes for the national team and Manchester United. He is a very good player, but he can play full power for 45-60 minutes, not 90.
Honestly I think that Spain and Italy are the most unlikely teams to win the Nations League.
Spain were quite in trouble against Portugal actually. People who have watched the match are already aware of how many dangerous chance Portugal found but couldn't take advantage of any. Spain got really lucky in that match and their goal was also due to a defensive mistake. When it comes to Italy they are already not very reliable team as well. I appreciate their getting two wins in their last group matches because this form helped them finish as leader. However they gave so many goal chances to Hungary and England both in those matches. Defensive issues might cause them to be eliminated in next stage.
Spain were quite in trouble against Portugal actually. People who have watched the match are already aware of how many dangerous chance Portugal found but couldn't take advantage of any. Spain got really lucky in that match and their goal was also due to a defensive mistake. When it comes to Italy they are already not very reliable team as well. I appreciate their getting two wins in their last group matches because this form helped them finish as leader. However they gave so many goal chances to Hungary and England both in those matches. Defensive issues might cause them to be eliminated in next stage.
We have the final 4, but who is actually the favourite? Italy, Croatia, the Netherlands and Spain. Those are 4 countries with an excellent selection. I don't think we have a favorite. Italy has had a bad period by missing out on the World Cup due to the elimination against North Macedonia. The Netherlands has already reached the final once, but Italy is the reigning European champion. You can expect everything from Spain. The title but also a defeat. When is the draw for the semi-finals? I understand that the matches are played in the Netherlands, which is a huge advantage for the Netherlands team.
For me the main favorite is Spain then Netherlands. This two teams are in the best form from this four teams. Croatia played good in their group but i dont think they can win this. While Italys moral is bad after not going to the world cup and there is a lot of pressure on them.
We have the final 4, but who is actually the favourite? Italy, Croatia, the Netherlands and Spain. Those are 4 countries with an excellent selection. I don't think we have a favorite. Italy has had a bad period by missing out on the World Cup due to the elimination against North Macedonia. The Netherlands has already reached the final once, but Italy is the reigning European champion. You can expect everything from Spain. The title but also a defeat. When is the draw for the semi-finals? I understand that the matches are played in the Netherlands, which is a huge advantage for the Netherlands team.
For me the main favorite is Spain then Netherlands. This two teams are in the best form from this four teams. Croatia played good in their group but i dont think they can win this. While Italys moral is bad after not going to the world cup and there is a lot of pressure on them.
We have the final 4, but who is actually the favourite? Italy, Croatia, the Netherlands and Spain. Those are 4 countries with an excellent selection. I don't think we have a favorite. Italy has had a bad period by missing out on the World Cup due to the elimination against North Macedonia. The Netherlands has already reached the final once, but Italy is the reigning European champion. You can expect everything from Spain. The title but also a defeat. When is the draw for the semi-finals? I understand that the matches are played in the Netherlands, which is a huge advantage for the Netherlands team.
Portugal has a number of star players in their squad. But I agree that Ronaldo is the most important player on the team. And Portugal's coach Fernando Santos has designed his match strategy around Ronaldo. If Ronaldo plays well, the team will win, if Ronaldo does not play well, it becomes difficult for Portugal to win any match. Thus it is very risky if a player depends on the team. Because the Portugal team only depends on Ronaldo. So I don't consider Portugal as the favorite for the next World Cup. The coach should have focused on the other players on the team as well.
This implies that Portugal still has a great dependence on Ronaldo.Actually this is still good but they also have to realize that Ronaldo will not be in the national team forever and they have to start reducing dependence like this.
There are still some young strikers who can still prove themselves in this regard but when the focus of Santos is still around Ronaldo then I can't guarantee the results will always be good.
I think that Ronaldo has made the right decision by leaving the national team after this World Cup.
After watching his really poor performance against Spain it seems like he wouldn't be too beneficial for the team from now on. I know that this was a Nations League match but in the end he found opportunities to score. He didn't seem like he wasn't caring about the match either. He was one of the most important factors playing a role in their losing their lead and missing the chance to qualify for playoffs. I hope to see a more determined Ronaldo in the World Cup to say goodbye to his national team in a nice way. Portugal can be one of the favourites if especially he plays effectively.
Have rumors about Cristiano Ronaldo still not leaving national team after this World Cup and he wants keep playing on last event at Euro 2024 for last time with his country, actually about Cristiano Ronaldo decision still not retired from Nation team depend about him self but Portugal coach need think about give him regular position looking on his age and minutes playing on Manchester United.After watching his really poor performance against Spain it seems like he wouldn't be too beneficial for the team from now on. I know that this was a Nations League match but in the end he found opportunities to score. He didn't seem like he wasn't caring about the match either. He was one of the most important factors playing a role in their losing their lead and missing the chance to qualify for playoffs. I hope to see a more determined Ronaldo in the World Cup to say goodbye to his national team in a nice way. Portugal can be one of the favourites if especially he plays effectively.
this season, Cristiano Ronaldo not as regular player for Manchester United and I think he has different chance when playing for National team because always in starting eleven playing named list, I think whoever coach for Portugal after World Cup edition better not make priority for Ronaldo in starting eleven again, he will leave national team if manager not give him chance again and directly will retired from national team.
Portugal has a number of star players in their squad. But I agree that Ronaldo is the most important player on the team. And Portugal's coach Fernando Santos has designed his match strategy around Ronaldo. If Ronaldo plays well, the team will win, if Ronaldo does not play well, it becomes difficult for Portugal to win any match. Thus it is very risky if a player depends on the team. Because the Portugal team only depends on Ronaldo. So I don't consider Portugal as the favorite for the next World Cup. The coach should have focused on the other players on the team as well.
That's true. What is still not understood is why Fernando Santos does not stop assembling the team like Ronaldo was 25 years old!
And that's Portugal's problem, continuing to play like a youth 10 years ago. Although the players of that time no longer have the same physical condition.
There are several Portuguese players of great quality, who, because of this old style of play, are not being put to good use.
Portugal has a number of star players in their squad. But I agree that Ronaldo is the most important player on the team. And Portugal's coach Fernando Santos has designed his match strategy around Ronaldo. If Ronaldo plays well, the team will win, if Ronaldo does not play well, it becomes difficult for Portugal to win any match. Thus it is very risky if a player depends on the team. Because the Portugal team only depends on Ronaldo. So I don't consider Portugal as the favorite for the next World Cup. The coach should have focused on the other players on the team as well.
That's true. What is still not understood is why Fernando Santos does not stop assembling the team like Ronaldo was 25 years old!
And that's Portugal's problem, continuing to play like a youth 10 years ago. Although the players of that time no longer have the same physical condition.
There are several Portuguese players of great quality, who, because of this old style of play, are not being put to good use.
I think that Ronaldo has made the right decision by leaving the national team after this World Cup.
After watching his really poor performance against Spain it seems like he wouldn't be too beneficial for the team from now on. I know that this was a Nations League match but in the end he found opportunities to score. He didn't seem like he wasn't caring about the match either. He was one of the most important factors playing a role in their losing their lead and missing the chance to qualify for playoffs. I hope to see a more determined Ronaldo in the World Cup to say goodbye to his national team in a nice way. Portugal can be one of the favourites if especially he plays effectively.
The Portugal national team has mostly built everything around Ronaldo. The team is not the star it is Ronaldo. But they did not manage more than the European championship. Ronaldo is an exceptional player. No question about it. In my opinion there was often too much hype around his person and less attention was paid to the qualities of the other players.After watching his really poor performance against Spain it seems like he wouldn't be too beneficial for the team from now on. I know that this was a Nations League match but in the end he found opportunities to score. He didn't seem like he wasn't caring about the match either. He was one of the most important factors playing a role in their losing their lead and missing the chance to qualify for playoffs. I hope to see a more determined Ronaldo in the World Cup to say goodbye to his national team in a nice way. Portugal can be one of the favourites if especially he plays effectively.
Portugal has a number of star players in their squad. But I agree that Ronaldo is the most important player on the team. And Portugal's coach Fernando Santos has designed his match strategy around Ronaldo. If Ronaldo plays well, the team will win, if Ronaldo does not play well, it becomes difficult for Portugal to win any match. Thus it is very risky if a player depends on the team. Because the Portugal team only depends on Ronaldo. So I don't consider Portugal as the favorite for the next World Cup. The coach should have focused on the other players on the team as well.
I think that Ronaldo has made the right decision by leaving the national team after this World Cup.
After watching his really poor performance against Spain it seems like he wouldn't be too beneficial for the team from now on. I know that this was a Nations League match but in the end he found opportunities to score. He didn't seem like he wasn't caring about the match either. He was one of the most important factors playing a role in their losing their lead and missing the chance to qualify for playoffs. I hope to see a more determined Ronaldo in the World Cup to say goodbye to his national team in a nice way. Portugal can be one of the favourites if especially he plays effectively.
After watching his really poor performance against Spain it seems like he wouldn't be too beneficial for the team from now on. I know that this was a Nations League match but in the end he found opportunities to score. He didn't seem like he wasn't caring about the match either. He was one of the most important factors playing a role in their losing their lead and missing the chance to qualify for playoffs. I hope to see a more determined Ronaldo in the World Cup to say goodbye to his national team in a nice way. Portugal can be one of the favourites if especially he plays effectively.
The Portugal national team has mostly built everything around Ronaldo. The team is not the star it is Ronaldo. But they did not manage more than the European championship. Ronaldo is an exceptional player. No question about it. In my opinion there was often too much hype around his person and less attention was paid to the qualities of the other players.
I still don't understand why the Portuguese coaches choose to start Ronaldo when they can give better opportunities to the younger players in the squad who are hungry in front to prove themselves before the world cup to boost their confidence. Ronaldo is still a great player but we all know that he's not in his prime and for Portugal, it will not be in their best interest to depend on him during the world cup. Ronaldo should still be in the squad but should have reduced playing time to give opportunity to other younger players especially since he's going into retirement soon and they will need younger players to carry the National team forward.
Actually this is quite reasonable because Ronaldo is still iconic for Portugal. On the other hand he already has good enough experience against Spain which made him play from the start.But it should be if they want to start regeneration from now on because we know Ronaldo will soon end up in Portugal and this will certainly be a problem if there is no regeneration later and young players are still quite difficult later to fill the role up front.
The younger generation can show themselves at club level - Ronaldo obviously does not fill all the striker positions in all clubs
If someone is clearly better than Ronaldo then Santos will put him in the first team without any doubt. Right now Ronaldo is still a more reliable option than anyone else and I don't understand his critics - he can't guarantee a goal in every game or convert every moment - there are different days. Jump to: