NATIONS LEAGUE IS PROGRESS.. NOT A SWISS MISS
THERE was a quiet revolution this week in Switzerland.
The UEFA Nations League draw will change the face of international football in Europe from next season.
Everyone accepts, including England boss Gareth Southgate (at the draw in Lausanne, above), that something needs to be done to reinvigorate international football.
We love the World Cup, UEFA has tried to shake-up the European Championship and the “week of football” with fixtures spread out have been changes for the better.
It is easy to knock international football for all those meaningless friendlies when players – particularly in the Premier League – are under pressure from their clubs to pull out.
Then we get the qualifiers against international minnows when big nations regularly put five or six goals past opponents who never have a prayer.
Teams like England cruise through to tournaments, do not get tested and then crash out as soon as they face anyone half decent.
Trying to find a solution has been tough, but surely it is better to applaud UEFA for trying something with the Nations League. While people were scratching their heads and wondering how it all works, the best way is to separate it and think of it as a new tournament.
England have got Croatia and Spain – the fixtures are played in September, October and November – while new Wales chief Ryan Giggs (below) will hope to top a group with Ireland and Denmark.
The ‘Group of Death’ in League A is Germany, France and Holland. There is relegation and promotion, a chance to qualify for the Euros and also a trophy for the winners at the end of it all. Take a look at League D and the usual whipping boys – such as Andorra, Gibraltar and San Marino – are all in there together.
No more thrashings, competitive matches, a chance to improve and get promoted.
And Southgate is a fan of the new format, saying: “The whole concept is to play high level opposition and that’s what we’ve got.
“We’re pleased with Croatia and Spain is a great opponent, a really good test for us.
“Fewer friendlies and a better level of opposition works for everybody.
“They’re competitive matches with something resting on them.”