France to open against Germany in Nations League
BERLIN: Germany start to rebuild their battered reputation on Thursday in the opening match of the inaugural Nations League but their long road to recovery begins with perhaps the toughest of first steps with the visit of World Cup champions France.
The Nations League, brainchild of European soccer body UEFA, aims to boost interest in the autumn and spring internationals, which were seen by clubs and fans as disruptive to the domestic season.
To be held every two years, it features all 55 of Europe’s national teams divided into four divisions – Leagues A to D – that are themselves split into four groups, to be played between September and November.
There is promotion and rele- gation between each league while the top division, which includes France and Germany, will finish with a four-team minitournament, to be held in June next year, to decide the Nations League champion.
The Germans, world champions in 2014, crashed out in the group stage of the World Cup in Russia in June for their earliest exit in 80 years.
Coach Joachim Loew decided to stay on and has pledged to successfully overhaul the team and turn it back onto the road to success, with the Nations League being their new start.
Boasting some of the world’s most talented players, including Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe, it will be France’s first game since being crowned world champions in Moscow on July 14 after a 4-2 victory over Croatia.
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