Did they forget that competitive football was still
on?
After showing some cojones in the Champions League knockouts,
English players finally collapsed with errors and misfortune with the national
team. The UEFA Nations League final sets up a Netherlands versus Portugal clash
after entertaining 3-1 wins in the semifinals.
It pits Virgil Van Dijk against another GOAT. The Liverpool
defender may be sealing a comfortable spot in this year's Ballon D'or standings
with the inaugural Nations League trophy alongside his Champions League winners
medal. While Cristiano Ronaldo is gunning for a second international honour
before Lionel Messi possibly seals his first in the upcoming Copa America.
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| Ronaldo wants to slay the Dutch. Image Credit: Mike Egerton/PA wire |
The Dutch would be looking to dominate possession with real
purpose, which perfectly suits Portugal’s lightning-quick counter attacking
style. Crucial to that would be William Carvalho winning possession and Ruben
Neves' distribution.
Bernardo Silva, Portugal's creator-in-chief and one of the
most-heralded number 10s in world football right now, would be keen to
test Frenkie de Jong, fresh from a midfield masterclass against England.
Bernardo proved in Manchester City's treble-winning season how good he is at
running his socks off to win the ball back- with the most tackles (five) and one
interception against Switzerland- as well as his decisiveness on the ball,
creating the most chances and dribbles (four each).
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| Bernardo Silva is Portugal's creative hub. Image Credit: Jan Kruger/Getty Images |
In Barcelona-bound De
Jong, he faces a young man who holds a complete disregard for pressure. The
22-year-old registered the most touches (128), most passes (105), most tackles
and interceptions (five and three respectively) in a storming semi-final
performance. He sure proved a point to Dele Alli and Spurs’ English fans.
While Netherlands lack a specialist goalscorer in their
ranks, hat-trick hero Ronaldo set the Nations League finals alight and must
complete the job against The Netherlands.
He is the difference for the hosts and wants to add to his 88
international goals on his 158th cap. João Félix is one of the
brightest teenage attacking talents in the world right now and has been paired
upfront with Ronaldo, with 20 goals in all competitions last season, the Dutch defence would have him firmly on their minds as
much as Ronaldo.
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| Matthijs de Ligt scoring a thunderous header against England. Image Credit: Getty Images |
The Portuguese would be wary, however, of the 3-nil thumping
they received in Ronald Koeman's first win as Netherlands manager last year.
It’s refreshing to have two unusual nations compete for an
international European trophy, particularly considering the evolution both
teams are undergoing.
That’s why the Nations League was created, European national
teams have something to play for unlike pointless friendlies in obscure parts of
the world.
What has it taught us so far? England still cannot win a
semifinal and Bernardo going up against De Jong, a match even the Champions league couldn't offer.
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