⚽ UEFA Nations League ⚽ - Discussion Thread

[Agbam]

I love Ronaldo but I think its time we come to terms that the Portugal team is better without Ronaldo. He has lived an unforgettable legacy with his countryside and does not deserve the treatment he is getting now, but it's clear that Portugal are confused on the ball when Ronaldo is on the pitch.

Jorge Jesus in a recent interview cleared the air on this issue. [Source: https://x.com/ELLIOTTTTFC/status/2105576250739675194]

The last trophy Portugal lifted Cristiano Ronaldo helped Portugal immensely to win matches and lift the trophy, so how's Portugal team better off without Cristiano Ronaldo? I believe some players in the Portugal team want to kick Cristiano Ronaldo out of Portugal team by making him appear as the person who's making Portugal perform poorly, those set of players won't play at their full strength anytime Cristiano Ronaldo fixture for Portugal in a match just for them to achieve their aim. Just see the way Bruno performed against Denmark after Cristiano Ronaldo left Portugal camp, can you remember the last time Bruno pulled off some amazing performances for Portugal? I just finished reading Jorge Jesus' comment through the link you attached to your comment. Like I said early, Jorge Jesus shouldn't have called Cristiano Ronaldo to keep him on the bench if he believe he have players who can offer more intensity and balance to the Portugal team than Cristiano Ronaldo.

This is a very shitty comment and a very poor mindset, you’re just being sycophantic for nothing. So Ronaldo won Portugal in the past and because of that they should all bow down to him until he says rise. Just got benched for one game and the team won instead being happy he’s throwing tantrums.

Right now the team is better without him, this is normal in football… aged players make way for the young players but Ronaldo wants to be the only player kicking the ball into the net at all times. Ronaldo is a great player, a legend but his hunt for goals have made him a villain. He doesn’t rejoice when his team wins without him or sometimes his teammates scores and he’s not happy, he even goes as far as trying to steal some of his teammates goals, that’s not a good behaviour.

Whatever you think it’s going on is because of the poor mindset you have, that his teammates will intentionally not play well because of Ronaldo, just hear yourself even if that were true I wouldn’t blame them, he’s been selfish and not showing great leadership.

Calling him up is a motivation for the younger kids, instead of advising and being a role model he’s throwing tantrums like a kid…. Fuck!

Players even legendary ones get lesser minutes when they get older but because he’s Ronaldo he should always be in the frontline even when he’s underperforming….  This is Crazy

Talk about the titles he won for Portugal if we critically look at it, his impact was just what a good striker would do, not like he single handedly won it for them. Never was or won the best player of any of the tournaments. What makes him above others..

No disrespect to Ronaldo but he should have just retired in peace.

[Shineup]

Despite what Ronaldo has done for Portugal, there are people who believe Portugal is better without Ronaldo, and are using yesterday’s game as evidence. This narrative is being pushed by the media with headlines like “Ronaldo-less Portugal Prospers” e.t.c.

Neymar is washed but still went to the World Cup. The fans wanted him there because they felt they owe him that for the many years Neymar served the national team. As far as I can remember, Ronaldo carried Portugal for the longest, and now that they have good players, Ronaldo is suddenly the one holding the team back.

Cristiano Ronaldo is a player who doesn't like staying on the bench if he's fully fit to play alongside his teammates, so since Jorge Jesus had the intention of not playing Cristiano Ronaldo to see how Portugal will perform without him, he shouldn't have called him up for Portugal Nations League matches, l blame Jorge Jesus for Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Portugal camp after their match with Norway.

Should I say the call up on Cristiano Ronaldo is a planned game, because non of the players is seeing that act on Ronaldo as anything, they rather feel so happy about it, there has been so many interviews on the players and none has said it was bad treating him like that, but it's all good because they are definitely learning the hard way, I believe puma has withdraw their sponsorship on the Portuguese National team, and I came across videos that the hotel where they camp is empty, no fans to cheer them up, and I even saw a video where the fans was booing Jorge Jesu, so I believe they are definitely learning the hard way.

[laspol65]

Should I say the call up on Cristiano Ronaldo is a planned game, because non of the players is seeing that act on Ronaldo as anything, they rather feel so happy about it, there has been so many interviews on the players and none has said it was bad treating him like that, but it's all good because they are definitely learning the hard way, I believe puma has withdraw their sponsorship on the Portuguese National team, and I came across videos that the hotel where they camp is empty, no fans to cheer them up, and I even saw a video where the fans was booing Jorge Jesu, so I believe they are definitely learning the hard way.

Cristiano Ronaldo is a good player, everyone has to admit it, but at the moment he may not be able to play that much on the field. But I saw his intelligence and playing style are very different because he is an experienced player and continues to attack according to that plan, excluding Ronaldo, the Portugal team continued to play and won, I call it a victory, but if Cristiano Ronaldo was there, the winning margin would have been at a much higher level because he could score goals. You know all kinds of strategies to score goals, but excluding Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portugal team is moving forward, in the future, we must remember Cristiano Ronaldo, how much role he played for the team.

[Jewan420]

The players who were outstanding today in the France vs. Italy Nations League game are Michael Olise, Cherki, Rabbiot, Calafiori and my man of the match, Donnarumma. Donnarumma was the best player on that pitch. He made many saves that kept Italy to a draw with France. If not for Donnarumma, France would have won. As for Michael Olise. Haters will not stop hating. Despite the noise around him, Olise keeps scoring and assisting. His brilliant free kick put France ahead before Italy equalized.

Since the defeat to Spain in the World Cup, France's attack has not been as aggressive as it used to be, they have not been able to score more than one goal in the last three matches. Their main problem now is finishing, they create chances but they do not convert them into goals.

Donnarumma was Italy's best player yesterday, his 6 excellent saves helped Italy to draw the match the most. Italy's performance is gradually improving, but to have a chance at the World Cup they need to improve more and finish the matches with wins. I see a lack of confidence in France, they have not yet adapted to the new coach's tactics.

[TedMosby]

An interesting situation in Group A2  
Incidentally, there is a nuance: unlike the first three editions of this tournament, two teams now advance from the group stage instead of just one (as was the case before), so theoretically, even Serbia has a chance. Of course, I’d like Klopp to be successful, but there are only two spots available, and the Netherlands and Greece are looking pretty good too. On October 4th, it’s Greece - Germany, and it seems to me that Germany can’t afford drop even 2 points (draw).

TBH, I wanna see the Netherlands and Greece advance to the next phase from this group. But I predict the Netherlands and Germany would be 1st and 2nd in this group (for the brands, sponsors, and broadcasting revenue ). Also, comparing the performance...

Based on the xG and goals scored (because I love these parameters) in the last 3 matches in this group:
Greece has an avg xG of 1.38 and scored 5 goals -> 1.67 goals / match.
Germany has an avg xG of 2.18 and scored 3 goals -> 1 goal / match.

Either Germany is unlucky or Greece is just too effective.
In this case, I believe more that Germany is unlucky rather than Greece being a team that is super effective.



BTW, I also want to bring this to the surface again. Anyone here had a chance to bet on Serbia to be relegated before? You should be able to make a profit by selling your position by now if you did so

[...]
Meanwhile, the market for teams that would be relegated from UEFA Nations League A seems more interesting. The volume is bigger. Look at the implied probability for Serbia. If you think they will be relegated, then check out this market. I think it's worth checking out for trading or just a casual bet.



NFA

Was Serbia that good before that only a few people bet on them in this market https://polymarket.com/event/uefa-nations-league-a-teams-relegated-2026-27/will-wales-be-relegated-from-nations-league-a-in-2026-27? TBH, I'm not following Serbia, but having Germany and the Netherlands in the same group is already a sign

[meser#]

We left our third match empty-handed as well.
Given our current form, it is impossible for us to take points from Italy.
Of the remaining three matches, we might possibly pick up points against Belgium in the game played in Türkiye.
It seems almost certain that we will finish last in the group and be relegated to League B.
We didn't play well against Belgium yesterday. We tried to score through long-range shots and crosses from set-pieces, but to no avail.
Belgium defeated us 3–0—with two goals from De Bruyne and one from Lukaku—bringing their total to six points.
In the other match, Italy drew 1–1 with France, raising their tally to four points.
Our next match is against Italy in Bologna. I do not expect us to take any points from Italy.

[Lannakosa]

Since the defeat to Spain in the World Cup, France's attack has not been as aggressive as it used to be, they have not been able to score more than one goal in the last three matches. Their main problem now is finishing, they create chances but they do not convert them into goals.

Donnarumma was Italy's best player yesterday, his 6 excellent saves helped Italy to draw the match the most. Italy's performance is gradually improving, but to have a chance at the World Cup they need to improve more and finish the matches with wins. I see a lack of confidence in France, they have not yet adapted to the new coach's tactics.

France have had matches before where they were clearly the better team but still couldn’t win. Italy on the other hand, really does seem to be gradually getting better. As for Germany, I’m inclined to think they were simply unlucky, and although I really like the way Greece are playing right now, I definitely wouldn’t bet on Greece against Germany. And if Greece manage to avoid defeat in this match, especially since they’ll be playing at home, that would be a very good result.

[Kol:on]

Despite what Ronaldo has done for Portugal, there are people who believe Portugal is better without Ronaldo, and are using yesterday’s game as evidence. This narrative is being pushed by the media with headlines like “Ronaldo-less Portugal Prospers” e.t.c.

Neymar is washed but still went to the World Cup. The fans wanted him there because they felt they owe him that for the many years Neymar served the national team. As far as I can remember, Ronaldo carried Portugal for the longest, and now that they have good players, Ronaldo is suddenly the one holding the team back.

Cristiano Ronaldo is a player who doesn't like staying on the bench if he's fully fit to play alongside his teammates, so since Jorge Jesus had the intention of not playing Cristiano Ronaldo to see how Portugal will perform without him, he shouldn't have called him up for Portugal Nations League matches, l blame Jorge Jesus for Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Portugal camp after their match with Norway.

Should I say the call up on Cristiano Ronaldo is a planned game, because non of the players is seeing that act on Ronaldo as anything, they rather feel so happy about it, there has been so many interviews on the players and none has said it was bad treating him like that, but it's all good because they are definitely learning the hard way, I believe puma has withdraw their sponsorship on the Portuguese National team, and I came across videos that the hotel where they camp is empty, no fans to cheer them up, and I even saw a video where the fans was booing Jorge Jesu, so I believe they are definitely learning the hard way.

Imagine you telling Cristiano Ronaldo when to retire. Do you know what he has in mind? Do you know his reasons for remaining with the National team even when their devilish attitude was clear and evident? He does some things not even because of himself or records, but because of his fans.. Outside the Portuguese players hotel room was empty before the game vs Denmark because most fans wanted to see Cristiano. Even their social media accounts are losing followers already, that is the influence of the GOAT 🐐. They (Portugal players) will regret their actions at least we can comfortably watch Spain France smash them without remorse.
Cristiano is ETERNAL.

[$crypto$]

Everyone expected the Turkish national team to finish with zero points, and that is exactly what happened. They were defeated 3–0 today as well. Kevin De Bruyne scored two goals, while Fenerbahçe's new signing, Lukaku, scored one. There is serious incompetence within the Turkish national team. Aside from the coaching staff, just look at the players, not a single goal was scored from eight shots on target. Apart from Arda Güler, the rest of the team is truly useless.

Turkey's fate is the same as they were at the World Cup, can not expect anything can be said to be completely destroyed with the squad that has now, although I think their performance is not too bad just difficult to score goals and weak defensive line, I do not know what happened in their squad including the coach who can be said to be incompetent in managing the strategy.

Only Arda Guler always gets good ratings, other players are just taken for granted, their federation may have to fix, if necessary fire Montella because he is not a good coach anymore, with a few more games left, I doubt Turkey will qualify.

[snipie]

Donnarumma was Italy's best player yesterday, his 6 excellent saves helped Italy to draw the match the most. Italy's performance is gradually improving, but to have a chance at the World Cup they need to improve more and finish the matches with wins. I see a lack of confidence in France, they have not yet adapted to the new coach's tactics.

Counting only on the goalkeeper to bring you victory is something that is not helpful for Italy.
France was not in its best form these moments, yet they ended the game with a draw. The Italian team could not hope to join the elite European teams by beating only the weakest nations. So far they were able to beat Turkiye. Next month France will be more serious..

[Majestic-milf]

We left our third match empty-handed as well.
Given our current form, it is impossible for us to take points from Italy.
Of the remaining three matches, we might possibly pick up points against Belgium in the game played in Türkiye.
It seems almost certain that we will finish last in the group and be relegated to League B.
We didn't play well against Belgium yesterday. We tried to score through long-range shots and crosses from set-pieces, but to no avail.
Belgium defeated us 3–0—with two goals from De Bruyne and one from Lukaku—bringing their total to six points.
In the other match, Italy drew 1–1 with France, raising their tally to four points.
Our next match is against Italy in Bologna. I do not expect us to take any points from Italy.

Turkey could get lucky and win, never say never. Football is unpredictable sport. Imagine that France could not get 9 points from three games cause they were held down by Italy and it's not because Italy played so beautifully, it's just France that relaxed.
 There's one thing I've noticed from Turkey and that's their ability to take advantage of counters. They've got pacy players who will cause problem the time the opponents least expect and this is a good thing because Italy are good at being clueless in the defense. I really didn't see much effort from the defense and if it wasn't for Donnarumma, France would have scored more so there's a chance that Turkey could secure their first win in that game.

[SatoPrincess]

Should I say the call up on Cristiano Ronaldo is a planned game, because non of the players is seeing that act on Ronaldo as anything, they rather feel so happy about it, there has been so many interviews on the players and none has said it was bad treating him like that, but it's all good because they are definitely learning the hard way, I believe puma has withdraw their sponsorship on the Portuguese National team, and I came across videos that the hotel where they camp is empty, no fans to cheer them up, and I even saw a video where the fans was booing Jorge Jesu, so I believe they are definitely learning the hard way.

I don’t know if it was Jorge Jesus plan all along but it’s kind of thing the same thing we saw with Erik Ten Hag at Manchester United. IMO Ronaldo is an easy person to hate because people think they can do what he does and kills them when they fail badly at it. I believe the Portugal players are happy that he’s gone because they get to be in the spotlight.

[POPOLUV]

Despite what Ronaldo has done for Portugal, there are people who believe Portugal is better without Ronaldo, and are using yesterday’s game as evidence. This narrative is being pushed by the media with headlines like “Ronaldo-less Portugal Prospers” e.t.c.

Neymar is washed but still went to the World Cup. The fans wanted him there because they felt they owe him that for the many years Neymar served the national team. As far as I can remember, Ronaldo carried Portugal for the longest, and now that they have good players, Ronaldo is suddenly the one holding the team back.

Cristiano Ronaldo is a player who doesn't like staying on the bench if he's fully fit to play alongside his teammates, so since Jorge Jesus had the intention of not playing Cristiano Ronaldo to see how Portugal will perform without him, he shouldn't have called him up for Portugal Nations League matches, l blame Jorge Jesus for Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Portugal camp after their match with Norway.

Should I say the call up on Cristiano Ronaldo is a planned game, because non of the players is seeing that act on Ronaldo as anything, they rather feel so happy about it, there has been so many interviews on the players and none has said it was bad treating him like that, but it's all good because they are definitely learning the hard way, I believe puma has withdraw their sponsorship on the Portuguese National team, and I came across videos that the hotel where they camp is empty, no fans to cheer them up, and I even saw a video where the fans was booing Jorge Jesu, so I believe they are definitely learning the hard way.

I'm just seeing all this scenario concerning Christian Ronaldo and his national team mates, that most of the team players are not really happy seeing Christian Ronaldo playing again for the national team because most of then are feeling that with present of Christian Ronaldo still be presence or being feature in the tournament, will still make some of the players not play out there best, so with the last match Portugal vs Denmark, i saw a great difference of pushing ball forward to score compared to those previous matches Christian Ronaldo was still playing, one thing Portugal should understand, no matter on how they win, on a very good day, Portugal team players will surely miss Christian Ronaldo in one way and another.

[Solodoski]

The players who were outstanding today in the France vs. Italy Nations League game are Michael Olise, Cherki, Rabbiot, Calafiori and my man of the match, Donnarumma. Donnarumma was the best player on that pitch. He made many saves that kept Italy to a draw with France. If not for Donnarumma, France would have won. As for Michael Olise. Haters will not stop hating. Despite the noise around him, Olise keeps scoring and assisting. His brilliant free kick put France ahead before Italy equalized.

It was a very interesting match, and I think both team did well, although I still think that France should have won the game, but as you mentioned Donnarumma had a fantastic game and was able to keep Italy in the game. Michael Olise also.had a wonderful game as you have mentioned and to be sincere I think he is one player that he is not giving his flower for what he does no the pitch. Anyways I think it d a fair result for both team, because I think Italy did well to stop France from scoring more goals.

[Jessie2121]

Is not about dominating the game and end up sharing point or even losing the game, it has been coming right from when they struggled against Belgium with that 1nil win and nobody should say is because of the absence of Mbappe that caused their lack of goals in their game tonight too. How can a very good squad play from the beginning to the end and could not create more chances and convert half of their big chances? Nothing bad is happening in the France national team but it doesn't make sense for them to play like the players are not there or they don't have the quality of players that can transform the game to be in their favor. Italy wasn't that bad, they made France to feel the heat just as they do to other national team they play against.

I don't understand why you are making it sound as if France played a terrible game today against Italy, simply because they shared points. Fance dominated the game which many people expected them to score more goals and win the match, but Italy on the other hand defended very well which made the game very difficult for France. The 1:1 draw doesn't mean France lack quality, or that something is wrong with the team for me, Italy was just too organized defensively in that match which made it dedicult. for France to breakthrough.

You are not getting the memo, France are good and they have everything a team needs to progress, we know that and I never said France lack quality no, I only said they are lacking scoring of goals which is clear. Imagine them creating so many chances but could only get 1 into the back of the net doesn't that says it all that they are not doing well with the number of good players they have? Yes we know how good Italy are when it comes to defending and I can't take that from them, they are good at that especially when playing against an attacking side but this time around they defend and still attack if not they could not have scored and for France it was their game to win after all they dominated the game completely but my pain is that their defense wasn't as mobile compared to that of Italy. Now is two games that they couldn't get more than a goal, is too poor for me.