UEFA Nations League: two must see games Sunday
UEFA Nations League Group A2: Italy – France
After Italy’s trip to Belgium tonight, they’ll be facing two-time World Cup champions France in UEFA Nations League Group A2 action. The last time these nations played each other, Italy were surprise victors with a 3-1 win away from home. Raspadori, Frattesi and Dimarco were Italy’s goalscorers: Bradley Barcola scored for France. Now the hosts, the Italians will be hoping to finish the group stage on a high.
Italy’s squad has a few new faces. Nicolò Rovella started against Belgium making his first appearance for the senior national team after having such a strong season so far. Italy’s main danger man is Atalanta’s striker Mateo Retegui. Since signing in the summer from Genoa, Retegui has scored 11 goals and added three assists in 12 Serie A games.
Another player to look out for is Torino’s Samuele Ricci. The Torino playmaker was man of the match against France in Italy’s 3-1 win. Young players Pietro Comuzzo and Nicolò Savona will be looking to make their debuts.
No Mbappe for France
The headline in the France squad is the absence of the national team’s captain Kylian Mbappe. After poor form for Real Madrid and a potential falling out with Didier Deschamps, Mbappe has been dropped from the squad. The forwards in the squad consist of Ousmane Dembélé, Christopher Nkunku, Marcus Thuram, Bradley Barcola, Kingsley Coman, Michael Olise and Randal Kolo Muani. Who will be the man to step up to replace main man Mbappe?
Someone who’s done a good job of replacing Mbappe at club level is PSG’s Bradley Barcola. This season, he’s moved over to the left wing now that Mbappe has left and he’s scored 10 goals and has two assists in 11 games.
Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise is another player to look out for. He might not start, but as right-wingers go, he’s one of the best in the world right now. Olise’s delivery into the box is top class. If France went with a front three of Barcola, Thuram and Olise, that would prove to be an attack with so much balance.
Group B2: England – Ireland
The next and last Nation’s League fixture for Lee Carsley as England manager is against the nation he represented as a player, Republic of Ireland. The previous game between these sides saw a worst-case scenario for Irish fans. An England team, managed by someone who played for Ireland, beat them 2-0 at home. Both goal scorers (Jack Grealish and Declan Rice) were players who, at youth level, played for Ireland. Declan Rice even played for Ireland’s senior team.
England are without eight key players who all dropped out of the squad due to having slight knocks in their previous games. It’s their last game with Lee Carsley as manager before Thomas Tuchel comes in as England manager.
For Ireland, they’re in need of a result. It’s not possible for them to qualify from the group now, however, it’s important to build momentum. Ireland have a few strikers to choose from right now. Brighton’s Evan Ferguson is the best of the lot and has huge potential. Troy Parrott, Adam Idah and Tom Cannon are all having good seasons this season so far.
Ipswich duo Sammie Szmodics and Chiedozie Ogbene are two dangerous players to look out for. Both will provide threats in behind the England defense.
