IT’S ALL ABOUT THE GAME
In common with the fiendishly complicated lunchtime TV quiz show Turnabout that was broadcast on the BBC during the 1990s, it is possible to watch and thoroughly enjoy the Nations League without having the foggiest idea what on earth is going on. Dreamed up by Uefa several years ago to eliminate the need for the kind of pointless international friendlies that – [Football Daily checks fixture list] – are taking place across Europe this weekend, the Nations League has managed to inveigle its way into the subconscious of most football fans to the extent that they know it is A Thing, even if the vast majority of them remain completely baffled by its format and are at a loss to explain why it exists.
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Of course, like an entertaining Adrian Chiles Big Website column about the wisdom of purchasing mustard shorts when you know everyone will hate them or doing a naked forward roll, not everything has to be of the weightiest significance for us purists to consider it worthwhile. And in Thursday night’s Nations League semi-final between Spain and France, we were served up a bona fide treat. Described in many quarters as a nine-goal “thriller” despite Spain having enjoyed a 4-0 and 5-1 lead, it was still a close and important enough game to prompt complaints from Kylian Mbappé about the referee’s timekeeping when the official blew his final whistle seconds after France had pulled the score back to 5-4, three minutes into added time.
“When two great teams like this play you sometimes see a lot of goals,” explained Lamine Yamal who, along with the France substitute and Manchester City target Rayan Cherki, was the standout player on the pitch. “They will make you suffer until the end but we went to the final despite the mistakes we made. We were aware of what we wanted to do. We wanted to make history. The greatest thing when you are winning is to keep winning.”
Having qualified for their third successive Nations League final, Spain can look forward to an all-Iberian showdown against Portugal on Sunday night, when Lamine Yamal will come up against Cristiano Ronaldo, who won his first Premier League title with Manchester United a couple of months before the 17-year-old Spaniard was born. “He’s a football legend,” added Lamine Yamal of Ronaldo before the final at Munich’s Allianz Arena. “I have huge respect for Cristiano but I will do my job, which is to try to win.” Whether he knows what the prize is that’s up for grabs in Sunday’s Sphere Game remains to be seen.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I think he went over there with a point to prove. I think he wanted to prove Manchester United wrong and prove people in the Premier League wrong. He has gone over there and done that pretty successfully. That’s credit to him, credit to his attitude and his determination to be the best version of himself. Now he is a king over there” – Scotland skipper Andy Robertson hails teammate Scott McTominay after his year for the ages with Napoli.
FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS
I can’t be doing with the Club World Cup, and I’ve never had much time for narcissism’s favourite goalhanger Cristiano Ronaldo (yesterday’s Football Daily). But I would love it, absolutely love it, if Gianni Infantino had no option but force him to sign for Auckland City to try and wrench those coins for the bloody competition. Apologies to Auckland City goal machine Ryan De Vries for suggesting it, but sometimes annoying Ronaldo must prevail. And apologies to New Zealand if Ronaldo then has to sod off down there for a bit, but it is time for another continent to take its turn to support the weight of his ego” – Jon Millard.
Re: Eberechi Eze on England’s preparations (yesterday’s News, Bits and Bobs, full email edition). Taking tablets and getting on a bike? Thomas Tuchel’s training methods remind me of many nights out in Amsterdam a few years back” – Gerry Rickard.
It has been mentioned that Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is leaving Manchester City and being replaced by a Dutch midfielder. Is that really the case or does KDB just not want to play in any Reijnders games?” – Michael Glogower.
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If you do have any, please send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s winner of our prizeless letter o’ the day is … Gerry Rickard. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, can be viewed here.
SOMETHING TO CHEW ON
O Globo marked the start of the Carlo Ancelotti era with Brazil by assigning a reporter to watch the new manager’s mastication during the dull 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw in Ecuador. “During the first half, Ancelotti chewed five pieces of gum,” it declared. “In the second half, the new coach of the national team chewed three more pieces of gum. In total, he chewed eight pieces of gum.” More as we get it.
NEWS, BITS AND BOBS
Lyon defender Nemanja Matic and Le Havre striker Ahmed Hassan have been handed two-game bans with a further two matches suspended after they concealed Ligue 1’s anti-homophobia insignia on their shirts.
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Tottenham have met with intermediaries to discuss a potential move for Brentford’s Thomas Frank, as they weigh up Ange Postecoglou’s future.
Dreams can come true … Gabriel has signed a new long-term deal with Arsenal. “I hope I win some trophies with this club, because I love this club and my family loves the club, too,” he cheered.
Luis Díaz is shopping himself around in a bid to get a better deal from Liverpool. “We’re talking to clubs, it’s normal in the market and we’re looking at what’s best for us,” he cooed. “I’m waiting to see what happens. I’m very happy at Liverpool, I’ve always said so. They’ve welcomed me very well from day one. If they give us a good renewal or I stay there for two years, I’ll be happy. Now it’s up to them.”
Despite the World Cup’s expansion to 48 teams, China won’t be one of them after they crashed to a 1-0 defeat against Indonesia. “This team has been fighting for this goal for over 20 years,” tooted coach Branko Ivankovic. “But we didn’t succeed, and as head coach, I definitely bear significant responsibility.”
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Jordan and Uzbekistan are off to the finals for the first time, though, while South Korea’s spot has also been confirmed.
Sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe … Gennaro Gattuso has done one from his role as coach of Hajduk Split.
Some recent events: Nathan Jones gets Charlton promoted to the Championship … speculation links Jones with the vacant job at Cardiff … now Jones signs new five-year deal with Charlton. “We’ve just taken one big step, but that’s only one big step, we still have a long way to go to achieve our goals and I’m glad that I’ll continue to work towards that,” he roared.
And it looks like David Beckham could become Sir David Beckham in the King’s Birthday Honours next week. There’s even a timeline too.
STILL WANT MORE?
The Rumour Mill has you covered for all the latest gossip.
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Jonathan Wilson on Thomas Tuchel.
Here’s the Ligue 1 season review, courtesy of Luke Entwistle and Eric Devin.
It’s a fair bet that you’ve never heard of TGP Europe. But Philippe Auclair explains why the company behind numerous online gambling websites has left a host of Premier League clubs with an income gap to fill after its exit from the British market.
As mentioned, Uzbekistan have qualified for their first World Cup. John Duerden explains how “Asia’s chokers” finally made it.
England have announced their 23 for Euro 2025, but questions remain over squad harmony, strength in depth and player welfare, writes Suzanne Wrack.
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And get these bookmarked if you haven’t already: our men’s and women’s summer transfer interactives.
MEMORY LANE
Pelé is stuck in goal at a Brazil training session in Bolton [what a sentence that is, by the way – Football Daily Ed] during the World Cup in July 1966.
NEED THAT DROSOSTALIA
Read the full article here
