O Nations League! You really spoil us with these one-sided games | League of Nations

RIP GEORGE

While the competitive value, format and byzantine permutations of the Nations League are understood by so few that the handful of UEFA brass who invented it are all banned from traveling together on the same plane, the only thing the average Joe has to know is that it is a competition devised to reduce the number of pointless, one-sided international friendly mismatches, where European heavyweights steamroll small mountain peaks or archipelagos in poorly attended matches involving absolutely no one. Instead, the Nations League should pit countries of similar ability against each other, even if England resembles a barracuda rubbing fins with the comparable minnows in the pond that is Group B2.

They are back-to-back Euro finalists and are clearly superior to Ireland and Finland, who between them have qualified for just two major tournaments since 2016, losing to England at the last break, as they host a clash at Wembley tonight Greek team that didn’t do that. I haven’t been to a major tournament in over ten years. After hearing yesterday the news of the tragic passing of their British-born international teammate George Baldock, who had not traveled with his international teammates due to injury, Football Daily cannot even imagine where the heads of the Greek players will be . , but they will wear black armbands in memory of their fallen comrade and have asked for a minute’s silence before the match for the former Sheffield United star, which will surely be observed impeccably. Baldock will also have played with or against many English players, who will probably be just as desperate.

In such unimaginably sad circumstances, the outcome of this match could hardly be less important, but it remains the final leg of what is widely believed to be Lee Carsley’s six-part audition for the role of the England head coach vacated by Gareth Southgate in July. As he prepares to leave his country on the occasion of his 82nd birthday^i.e In the absence of Harry Kane, who is limited to a role on the bench due to his talent, John Stones was asked whether he sees similarities between the England interim coach and his club boss Pep.

“In a way, yes, definitely,” he said. “Everyone has their own unique style and I think every manager has similarities in what they want. There are a lot of similarities between Lee and Pep in how they see the game and how they want us to play. I think we saw that last month when we played the two games. It was great for me with the similarities of how we play.” The Manchester City and England defender was wise not to mention that the main difference between the two coaches is that one of them is currently keen to pick him, while the other that isn’t.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I don’t smoke around children, I don’t set a bad example. But people take pictures of me smoking behind trees where I can’t even see them. I try to hide it, not show it to people. If anyone thinks they can change my personal life, try again, it never worked.” Wojciech Szczesny, despite coming out of retirement to sign for Barcelona at short notice, has finally entered his DNGAF era.

“Sorry, I cannot believe the extent of the tragic horror at Klopp’s Red Bull move. For eight years, he worked for a “global brand,” owned by a conglomerate, that overcharged fans for tickets and tried to lay off their staff during the pandemic. Yes, every now and then someone says ‘bootroom’ and waves a picture of Shankly, does that really feel like a people’s club? So if you ask me, it’s a small step to the caffeine-pumping eejits. And don’t think I’m into Liverpool. Every club up until about halfway through the Championship seems like a carefully crafted but hollow veneer wrapped around a commercially exploitative sh1tshow, including my once beloved Sheffield United” – Jon Millard.

“The English football romantics may be dismayed to see Klopp joining Red Bull, but those of us living in Germany are far less surprised, having seen him hire out his services to a seemingly endless list of products in recent years. In fact, it’s a rare commercial break that doesn’t feature his bearded grin trying to flog you something. (I still love him though)” – Tim Woods.

“I don’t want to speak for all my fellow countrymen, but Americans have known for decades that the fans don’t matter. As early as 1957, when the New York Giants and Dodgers were moved to San Francisco and Los Angeles, respectively, it became quite clear to everyone involved that the purpose of sports is to make money. And it’s hard for me to criticize because in 1984 Bob Irsay moved the entirety of the Baltimore Colts under the cover of darkness to my hometown of Indianapolis. So all this talk about ‘football romantics’ and ‘traditionalists’ seems a bit naive and simply not based in reality. Oh, and I still really like Klopp. So there” – Joe Pearson.

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