Nations League
How Spain became the dominant force in world football, twenty years after first doing so
From Cruijff to Aragonés, from Guardiola to Del Bosque and on to De la Fuente and Lamine Yamal: La Roja and its players have defined the modern era, not only through their victories but also by establishing a style and a model of their own.
Kayode, Calafiori, Scalvini, Doumbia, Romano, Vergara, the Esposito brothers: the Nations League games showed that Italy have several talents to build their future around
After the nightmare opening against Belgium, Mancini showed that he could manage a group with plenty of potential. That is no small thing, and it was far from a given.
Gianluigi Donnarumma delivers another outstanding performance against France in Saint-Denis
The Azzurri captain produced a series of superb saves, proving decisive when it mattered most.
The draw in France showed that Mancini has built a credible Italy side with genuine potential, and that was far from a given
Even though Les Bleus created far more chances, the Italy side that took the field at Saint-Denis was a world away from the team seen against Belgium. In a positive sense, of course.
Italy’s 4-1 win in Turkey was the result of Roberto Mancini getting a series of decisions right, from Kayode and the Esposito brothers to Bastoni and Frattesi
The manager’s overhaul has paid dividends, and the Azzurri can now look to the future with a little more optimism.
Mancini’s Italy are not yet a real team, and it showed against Belgium
The Nations League opener was revealing in this respect: the difference between the two sides was not just technical or physical, but also, and above all, conceptual.
Xavi as Netherlands manager is a compelling story, but not everything that glitters is gold
The former Barcelona coach promises a return to the DNA of Dutch football, but he was not the first choice and will have to work with players who may not fit his ideas.
Italy-Belgium to be screened at Jersey United watch party, with Undici director Giuseppe De Bellis speaking
The first Jersey United Night will take place at WAO Kitchen in Milan on Friday, 25 September at 7pm.
Jürgen Klopp has called up 44 players for his first four games as Germany manager, dividing them between two squads
The decision is based on two factors: the new international football calendar and the desire to test as many players as possible.
UEFA has introduced a new format for the Nations League and for World Cup and European Championship qualifying, inspired by the Champions League
The success of the so-called “Swiss model” has convinced UEFA to extend it to national-team competitions.
UEFA and CONCACAF are considering a joint Nations League featuring European and North American sides
The project, reported by the English newspaper The Guardian, is intended to further undermine the presidency of Gianni Infantino.