Germans bid to save face

– Germany will try to rebuild their battered reputation tomorrow 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 champions France.

The Nations League, brainchild of European governing body Uefa, aims to boost interest in the autumn and spring internationals, which were seen by clubs and fans as disruptive to the domestic football 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 relegation between each league while the top division, which includes France and Germany, will finish with a four-team mini-tournament, to be held in June next year, to decide the champions.

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.

Italy, who missed out on the World Cup, start their own road to recovery with a tie against Poland in Bologna on Friday. – Reuters

Berlin