Explaining the UEFA Nations League

About two years ago, the brains at UEFA sat down at a conference in Switzerland to devise a plan to revamp international football for European sides. What they came up with was the UEFA Nations League.

As we endure the first instalment of international warm up matches for the European Championships in the summer, will the scheduled introduction of the new tournament in 2018 be a better alternative to the current method of international friendlies? Firstly, I'm under no illusions, not everyone is a fan of friendly matches or international football in general and, whether you like it or not, club football takes precedence over international matches.

The UEFA Nations League is an attempt by Europe's footballing governing body to restore prestige and to effectively bring the interest back into international football. You can just tell there is no interest from the players in taking to the field for friendlies, they are almost like tick box exercises that have to be done. The matches are often played at a slow tempo with either side more concerned with not getting any injuries rather than scoring goals. Below is the structural concept of what the first competition, starting in September 2018, will look like.

The groups will be decided on the strength on each national side, with the likes of Germany being drawn into League A, while the lower ranked sides will be put into League D. Each side has the aim of progressing to League A, before making it to the 'Final Four' competition that will take place in the summer. The 'group stages' will take place every even year, while the finals will always take place every odd year.

The new competition will also revamp the qualifying for the European Championships in 2020. Instead of the 'top' sides qualifying, there is one space allocated for teams in each League in the competition. There still will be a separate qualifying for sides but it will be a lot less complicated with the top two teams from ten groups automatically qualifying. In short, Euro 2020 will consist of 24 teams, made up of 20 teams from the qualifying campaign and the other 4 teams from the Euro Nations League. Complicated yes, but this graphic from UEFA should explain it better.

Not everyone is happy with the new motion. Many believe it is just another ploy by the higher powers to make the higher nations richer by getting the top sides playing against each other more often. Admittedly, it would be like UEFA or FIFA to try and line the pockets of the organisation bosses. Also, they believe that it effectively gives sides a second chance of qualifying through the play offs. Are UEFA really concerned about the smaller sides, or do they want to decrease the likelihood of the bigger sides being left out?

It may undermine the notion that the smaller sides will miss out on lucrative ties against the sides of higher reputation, but it will give the sides a chance to test themselves against sides of similar quality, instead of the likes of San Marino rolling up to France or Germany and expecting to get pumped. There's more of a chance that they will play with more heart in a match that there is a possibility of getting something from it.

I'm looking forward to see what this tournament provides. It is a very interesting proposal and one that will rejuvenate a bit of interest in the international front. While it may still be in its infant steps, it is looking like a progressive idea that will benefit everyone as well as pleasing the chiefs that look to line their pockets. My only problem with it is that the play off stage to qualify for UEFA's European Championships in 2020 will take place 16 months after the event. Is it necessary to have the play offs so far after the event or would that decrease the importance for the sides that reach them?

Sky Sports were quick on the draw to secure the viewing rights for England matches in the Nations League. Ben Rumsby reported in The Telegraph that Sky will be exclusively showing the English Nation League matches, ending the free-to-air status of England matches. The contract will last for the first two editions of the tournament and I would be surprised if they didn't extend it, however it is believed that ITV will retain the rights to England's qualifiers for the World Cup and European Championship. This completes the package for Sky as they are expected to retain exclusive rights to the rest of the Home Nations as well as the Republic of Ireland.

It is an intriguing, yet complicated concept but one that I'mm looking forward to being put into action. If you have any questions please feel free to ask and as ever, I'd like to hear your opinions on the revamp to international football.

Champions League Quarter Final Predictions

Rather surprisingly only Chelsea let me down in my predictions for the last 16 round. This time however, we have a few more ties which are a lot less clear cut. Wolfsburg reach the quarter finals of the competition for the first time in their history, as do Manchester City, and they face Real Madrid and PSG respectively. Bayern Munich face Benfica and Barcelona lock horns with Atletico Madrid in an all Spanish affair.

Wolfsburg v Real Madrid

Viewed as one of the easier ties that Madrid could have got, they will cast their minds back to last years semi final in which they were expected to defeat Juventus with relative ease. Under Deiter Hecking, the German club has come on leaps and bounds and deservedly have made it through to this round. Wolfsburg have invested the money received by the sale of Kevin de Bruyne very wisely, bringing in players such as Julian Draxler. Madrid will undoubtedly be favourites, but the pressure on Zinedine Zidane and his team will be immense, particularly as they sit 12 points adrift of Barcelona at the top of La Liga. I tip Real Madrid to win the tie in front of their own fans in the second leg, with Wolfsburg running the home side close and achieving a score draw in the first leg.

Bayern Munich v Benfica

Bayern survived an almighty scare against Juventus in the previous leg, with a late Thomas Muller strike saving Pep Guardiola's blushes and forcing extra time. Like Madrid, they will perceive this to be one of the better ties to get and I do expect them to progress. Both sides are fabled for their vociferous atmospheres and the return leg to the Estadio da Luz will send shivers down the spine as Benfica return to the quarter finals for the first time since 2012. Both sides sit top of their respective leagues with Benfica two points ahead of fierce rivals Sporting CP while Bayern lead Europa League quarter finalists, Borussia Dortmund by 4 points. Benfica are a strong outfit and they defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1 at the Vicente Calderon back in September. Although they cant be taken lightly, I do expect Bayern to have the tie sewn up in the Allianz Arena, however if the Portuguese side come away from the first leg with something, then anything is possible.

City v PSG

England's sole representatives in the quarter finals this year welcome French champions Paris Saint-Germain to the Etihad Stadium. Defeating Chelsea in the first knockout round, the Parisians are in the fortunate position of being able to rest their first eleven in the run up to the Champions League matches having secured the Ligue 1 title in record time with a 9-0 thumping over Troyes last week. However this could prove a negative, as it will prevent the side from getting any match practice with the league matches effectively being a dead rubber and could hinder them when pace increases in Europe. This match is finely balanced and gives Zlatan Ibrahimovic the chance to end his career in Paris in style having decided not to extend his contract. Manchester City have had a mixed season this year. With the league out of their hands and progress in the FA Cup halted in the 5th round, the Champions League represents the last opportunity for Manuel Pellegrini to get success as the City manager. I can see this tie going the distance with both sides struggling to break each other down. City to win on penalties.

Barcelona v Atletico

Last but certainly not least, Atletico meet tournament favourites, Barcelona in a repeat of the 2014 semi final. On that occasion, Atletico triumphed, but have not defeated the Catalan giants since in the 7 games since then, losing 6 and drawing 1. The Madrid side scraped through against PSV Eindhoven in the last round, courtesy of Juanfran netting the deciding penalty after enduring 310 minutes of goalless football. It is obvious that Atletico will look to frustrate and absorb Barca pressure and then hit the holders on the counter attack. This worked with aplomb in the last European meeting between the sides but they have struggled to stop the dreaded MSN trio from scoring in the matches since. I fancy Barcelona to win overall, but Atletico will definitely pose a different challenge to Arsenal in the previous round.

There are once again some very intriguing ties thrown up by the chiefs at UEFA, feel free to leave your tips on who you think will triumph and if there will be any shocks this season.

The Dark Horses of the Euros

It feels very weird when I say that it's under three months until France kick off the 2016 edition of the European Championships against Romania. It seems like only yesterday when Mario Gotze was endeared to the German faithful with the extra time strike to crown the Germans World Champions. With the Euros closer than most people think, here is a few sides who I think could cause a few threats to the favourites.

Poland

Key Men

Robert Lewandowski struck 13 times including 4 against Gibraltar in their opening fixture, not to forget the fine form he has been in for Bayern throughout the last two seasons. Lewandowski will be man marked but will almost certainly still cause a threat. At the back, they also look decent with captain Kamil Glik steering the ship from centre-half.

Road to France

Poland finished second in their qualifying group, behind Germany, whom they recorded a 2-0 victory over in the second game. Lewandowski knocked six of his goals in the two games against Gibraltar winning them both 7-0 and 8-1 respectively while they had a combined aggregate score of 8 over the fifth placed side, Georgia. Poland received two 2-2 draws against Scotland, Lewandowski rescuing a point in the 4th minute of injury time in the away leg. Against the Republic of Ireland, they were unlucky to come away with a victory from the Aviva Stadium with Shane Long grabbing a very late equaliser but clinched a victory in the return leg in Warsaw.

Group C

Poland may have thought that the qualifying group was the last time they would see Germany, but the organisers had different ideas. Poland have a decent group with Ukraine and minnows, Northern Ireland occupying the other two spots. Germany and Poland will fight it out for the top spot and I fancy the former to pip them to the post. A second place finish in the group would leave the Poles with a match against the winner of Group A, most likely to be France. Poland were able to defeat Germany in the qualifying so they won't fear France, if that is who they are drawn against. A top place finish would be very beneficial for the Poles and would leave them with a match against the best third placed side of Groups A, B and F.

Croatia

Key Men

Once of Internazionale pastures, Mateo Kovacic received his big money move to Real Madrid last summer, even at the risk of not featuring as readily as he did at the San Siro. Nevertheless, Kovacic is a shrewd operator that has a great range of passing and can unlock defences with ease. Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric are also key players in the middle of the park and the former has been in terrific form since he joined Barcelona at the start of last season. When on form, Croatia's midfield can rival the top sides in the world.

Road to France

Croatia lost just one match in a group consisting of 2006 World Cup winners, Italy, Bulgaria, Malta, Norway, Azerbaijan. They were expected to finish just behind Italy in qualifying and didn't disappoint even though they drew 1-1 on both occasions with the Italians. They did however record their only loss away to Norway 2-0 despite having scored 5 past the Scandinavians at an earlier stage. They also thumped Azerbaijan 6-0 at home with Ivan Perisic grabbing a brace but where unable to win away, with the hosts holding out to grab a point. Both Malta and Bulgaria were defeated home and away to seal their safe passage through.

Group D

Croatia have a nightmare group and they will be relying on achieving a first or second place finish to qualify from it. Spain, Czech Republic and Turkey are all also competing to get out, and while one would predict Spain to grab the top seed spot, this Croatian side will be definite contenders if they are able to navigate their way out of the group. The runner up spot secures a tie against the winner of Group E, likely to be either Belgium or Italy. Italy are an aging side on decline and Croatia did snatch a point courtesy of Mario Mandzukic in Euro 2012, the year that Italy got to the final. Croatia can be quietly confident.

Austria

Key Men

David Alaba is undoubtedly the key player in the Austrian side. The Bayern Munich wing back controls much of the play and has a decent scoring record also, scoring 4 times in qualifying. One of the more modern 'attacking' full backs, Alaba possesses all the weapons to trouble even the best defence, yet his technique at defending is often admired also. Joining him at the back, Alexsander Dragovic has also developed a bit of a reputation in Europe for being a technically gifted defender and, when on form, Austria can be confident of not conceding too many goals. Up front, Marko Arnautovic has been in fine form for Stoke this season and has developed into a fan favourite at the Britannia Stadium since his arrival a number of years back. 

Road to France

Austria were somewhat very efficient in the qualifiers, conceding just 5 goals and keeping 6 clean sheets, 5 of which were consecutive. They weren't as free-scoring as other teams but did put four past Sweden and five past Lichtenstein both away from home. Two one-nil victories helped Austria finish above Russia with Rubin Okotie and Marc Janko grabbing the goals. The four nil thumping preceded a 1-1 draw in the opening fixture against Sweden.

Group F

Unlike Croatia, Austria can be happy with the group they have received. Cristiano Ronaldo effectively carries Portugal. Hungary got through a poor qualifying group unconvincingly via the play off while Iceland compete in their very first European competition having shocked everyone to qualify first out of a tough qualifying group. I do expect Austria to qualify ahead of Portugal in first place and this would leave them with a last 16 draw against the runner up from Group E. I would predict it to be Italy with Belgium's youth giving them the upper hand over the Italians and, like Croatia, Austria have nothing to fear in an Italian side that is in tradition.

Do you agree with these predictions, or do you have any other sides that have the potential to cause an upset or two at the tournament in the summer?

Coaches That Shaped The Game

In a previous piece entitled Football in Asia, I mentioned about Guus Hiddink's influence on the national teams of South Korea and Australia, I thought I'd take a look at some of the other coaches and their influences on world football.

Where better to start off than with someone who is a part of an elite group of decorated players that have gone onto to make top managers. Johan Cruyff single handedly transformed Barcelona in the 80s and 90s, and some people hold him accountable for the current success that the Catalan side is reaping. Cruyff revolutionised the Catalan side amid a time of upheaval, bringing Rinus Michels' Totaalvoetball or 'Total Football' to the Catalan capital. The Dutchman openly stated that he would rather 'win 5-4 than 1-0', which probably explains why at one point when Barca keeper, Andoni Zubizarreta asked him how to defend a set piece, he retorted with, "How should I know? You decide, you're more interested in how to defend a corner than me." The 3 time Ballon D'Or winner overhauled the now fabled La Masia at Barcelona, which went on to produce players such as Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Lionel Messi, Albert Ferrer and Guillermo Amor. None of these players were big physically, but were technically gifted and hard-working off the ball. Johan installed a legacy at Barca which can be still felt today, however his term at the Nou Camp ended abruptly after two trophyless seasons and a dispute with chairman, Josep Lluis Nunez.

Johan inspired Barcelona to 2 decades of success, and counting, so it would wrong if we failed to mention the late, great Rinus Michels whom he holds accountable for many of his successes. Michels led his fabled Ajax side to four Eredivise titles in five years as well as the European Cup final in 1969 and was victorious in the competition in 1971. On the national stage, he led the Netherlands to the 1974 FIFA World Cup Final only to be beaten by West Germany led by Franz Beckenbauer and achieved glory in the 1988 European Championships. 'Total Football' is effectively a style of play where any outfield player can take the role of any other player in the team, making it very hard to mark. When Michels took over in the Dutch capital, the glory days were fading quickly with PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord overtaking them in the pecking order and the club had experienced a 4 year trophyless drought. Armed with the talented Cruyff, Michels fired Ajax to the title in 1965-66 after escaping relegation the season before by 3 points.

The first major strategic concept that gripped the footballing nation was 'Catenaccio'. Literally meaning 'The Chain' or 'door bolt football', this style of play was coined by Helenio Herrera and focused on a rigid style of play with plenty of emphasis put on defensive solidity, while counter-attacking to catch the opposition off guard. The Argentine tactician based his tactic around the phrase 'Class + Preparation + Intelligence + Athleticism = Championships' and he certainly delivered championships to Internazionale where he made his name. During his eight years in charge in Milan, the Nerazzuri won 3 Scudetto titles, back-to-back European Cups as well as consecutive Intercontinental Cups. The most compelling alteration of Catenaccio was the introduction of a libero. An Italian word for 'free', the libero often drifts behind the defensive line to sweep up attacks made by the opposing team. Based on defensive prowess, it has been attributed to creating some of the best defenders such as Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Alessandro Costacurta and Claudio Gentile. Catenaccio is currently dormant, with teams favouring more attacking strategies such as Total Football and the decline was evident in the 1972 where Inter's defensive play was defeated in the European Cup by an Ajax side inspired by Total Football.

Marcelo Bielsa is well known for cracking the iron whip at anyone who steps out of line. Despite having a rocky time at Marseille last season, he masterminded a new tactic that catapulted Chilean football into the stratosphere. Ex-Barcelona and current Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola described the Argentine as the 'best manager in the world' in 2012. Praise doesn't get much higher than that. Bielsa demands 110% commitment from his players, as the cliché goes, to fit in with his rigorous and dynamic attacking structure. That is probably where he went wrong at Marseille. After opening a gap of 4 points at the top of Ligue 1 with 12 games played and recording an eight game win streak, they succumbed to Bielsa's gruelling training sessions and their form took a turn for the worst after Christmas. Losing four games on the trot between the 31st and 34th gameweek, saw them drop to 5th only for four victories in their last four games to put them into the 4th position and secure Europa League football for the following season.

Bielsa doesn't tend to 'go with the flow' when it comes to football tactics. He tends to use three defenders, one of which being a libero or sweeper. Mikel San Jose would have played the libero position at Bielsa's Bilbao while Waldo Ponce occupied the role in the Chilean side.

Arrigo Sacchi is another manager who helped shape our modern game. Milan had not won a league title since their tenth Scudetto in 1979, but when Silvio Berlusconi took over as President in 1986. One of the media mogul's first actions was to appoint the relatively unknown Arrigo Sacchi as manager. Sacchi never played football, something which the Italian media quickly picked up on during his first few poor results of his tenure, to which he replied, "I never realised that to be a jockey you need to be a horse first." Undoubtedly one of the most charismatic managers at the time, Sacchi came to prominence when at Parma where he defeated Milan twice in the 1986/87 Coppa Italia before being appointed by Berlusconi the following summmer. 

He had a relatively short tenure at the San Siro compared to some of the other great football managers, lasting just four years. Despite this, it is fair to say that he shaped AC Milan and initiated the process to which future managers, Fabio Capello and Carlo Ancelotti would reap the rewards. He brought an attacking 4-4-2 formation to AC Milan, at a time where Italian teams were typically very solid defensively, hence where the false stereotype that Italian sides only defend in this age comes from. He effectively condemned Catenaccio to the past and toppled the great Helenio Herrera inspired Inter side of the early 80s.

There certainly are more managers that have helped shape modern football and I've tried to stay away from some of the more modern or well known ones, so feel free to leave your opinions on the matter.