In this international break bulletin, we selected three matches from the UEFA Nations League that caught our attention, and shared our predictions along with detailed analysis.
Greece vs Netherlands
Match Analysis
Ivan Jovanović’s new-look, younger Greece continue to make a name for themselves. Competing in Nations League A for the first time, they have won both of their opening matches and moved to the top of Group 2, making an excellent start.
With a new generation featuring players such as Konstantinos Karetsas, Christos Tzolis, Christos Mouzakitis, Konstantinos Tzolakis, and Giannis Konstantelias, To Piratiko have also significantly changed their traditional style of play. They have become an ambitious side capable of playing attacking football and, at times, overwhelming their opponents with pressure. We can say that the classic Greece we all knew, with the “somehow find a goal and then defend with everyone” mentality, is no longer there.
They are already reaping the rewards of this new approach after defeating both Serbia and Germany away from home. Their historic victory in Germany was particularly impressive. Until they found the goal in the second half, their intense pressure, ambition, and quick attacks overwhelmed the German defense and forced them into mistakes. Had Greece continued playing the same way after scoring, they could even have extended their lead. Instead, they switched to a more cautious approach and formed a strong defensive block. This showed that they have not completely abandoned their old rigid defensive identity, but have instead adopted a balanced style that combines it with their new attacking approach.
With their excellent form giving them momentum, Greece now face another of their most serious tests in their first home match of the season. They host another in-form team, the Netherlands, in Thessaloniki. It will be interesting to see whether their confidence and strong home support can inspire yet another surprise.
Xavi Hernández’s new Netherlands have also made a good start, drawing 1–1 with Germany before securing a 2–1 victory in a difficult away match against Serbia.
Xavi wants to create a Netherlands side that dominates possession, uses the full width of the pitch, presses high, and moves the ball quickly. Although this ideal system is not yet fully developed, we saw signs of it gradually taking shape against Serbia.
One of Xavi’s most important influences has actually been in attack. By changing the attacking hierarchy from the Ronald Koeman era, Xavi has transformed the Netherlands into a team that creates a large number of goalscoring opportunities. We saw this particularly clearly in the second half against Germany after they fell behind. Their relentless attacking pressure after the break eventually produced the equalizer.
There is also a positive atmosphere in the Netherlands dressing room. The players feel comfortable and happy working with Xavi. The fact that the team’s development has already started to show on the pitch after only two matches is also a reflection of this positive environment.
The injuries to several important players, most notably Cody Gakpo and Jan Paul van Hecke, are concerning ahead of the difficult match against Greece. However, these absences could also provide opportunities for some of the Netherlands’ new faces to prove themselves. Mexx Meerdink is a perfect example. He made his international debut off the bench against Germany, then started for the first time against Serbia and scored twice to deliver the victory.
Today, the Netherlands face what is arguably one of their most difficult matches in the group. It will also be an important test of how Xavi performs in a challenging fixture like this.
With the match carrying major importance in the battle for top spot, both teams will take the field looking to win. The Netherlands may appear to be one step ahead, but this younger Greece side, with their new style of play, could cause problems for a Dutch team likely to feel Van Hecke’s absence. Therefore, rather than choosing a side, backing the net to be found at least twice looks like the more logical option.
Prediction
Over 1.5 Goals
Faroe Islands vs Slovakia
Match Analysis
There has been an interesting transformation in the Faroe Islands, once simply seen as the small team from a small country that everyone expected to beat. Since Eyðun Klakstein took charge, they have developed into a completely different side. They surprised everyone by collecting 12 points in the most recent World Cup qualifiers.
They have moved away from the old approach of defending with ten men and simply hitting the ball long without caring where it ends up. Against opponents closer to their own level, they now try to control the game and actively look to score goals. Tórsvøllur has become an uncomfortable away ground for their opponents.
Draws against Kazakhstan and Moldova in their opening two Nations League matches have sent a clear message that they are no longer simply the team expected to finish at the bottom of the group. It is also worth remembering that they could easily have won the Kazakhstan match. However, against Moldova most recently, they surrendered control almost completely and defended very deeply. Moldova lacked quality finishers, allowing the Faroe Islands to escape with a 1–1 draw. Because of the extremely modest quality of their squad, we can say that they still have a tendency to revert to their old typical style when matches become difficult.
They now face their most serious test of the season at Tórsvøllur, hosting an in-form Slovakia side who are the clear favorites in the group.
Slovakia possess considerably greater squad quality than their group rivals and, with Vladimír Weiss returning to the job after 14 years, have made a very good start to the season, just as expected. Weiss previously led Slovakia to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the country’s only World Cup appearance in history.
Slovakia’s only real concern has been the lack of regular club football for some of their attacking players. However, the fact that they have won both of their matches while scoring twice in each suggests that they have managed to overcome that issue one way or another.
Thanks to their superior squad quality, Slovakia naturally enter the match against the Faroe Islands as favorites. However, considering the Faroe Islands’ new style, which can occasionally make them dangerous opponents, and remembering that they defeated Czechia 2–1 during World Cup qualifying, choosing a match winner at Tórsvøllur could be quite risky.
Slovakia have scored exactly two goals in each of the four matches they have played since Weiss took charge. With their significantly superior squad quality, they should be able to break through the Faroe Islands’ compact defense and avoid being shut out at Tórsvøllur, finding at least one goal.
Prediction
Away Team Over 0.5 Goals
Spain vs Czechia
Match Analysis
Luis de la Fuente’s Spain continue to move forward at full speed. The successful coach and his players defeated England 3–2 away from home before comfortably beating Croatia 4–1 in their first match in front of their supporters since winning the World Cup. Croatia are still a team with plenty of quality in their squad, so a 4–1 victory was a significant achievement for La Roja. Spain have now won their last nine matches and are unbeaten in 40.
It would hardly be an exaggeration to say that Spain are currently the only national team in the world playing truly polished, almost machine-like football. Their team play is outstanding. During periods when they completely dominate matches, they almost wear their opponents down psychologically as well. This is one of the most important qualities that makes them so difficult to stop.
Lamine Yamal is in excellent form at the moment. He looks extremely happy and hungry. He is aware that the PR campaign surrounding his Ballon d’Or bid is going well, and he has probably started to believe that he is going to win it. He is playing with an extra level of enthusiasm, almost as if he wants to prove that he deserves the Ballon d’Or. That joy and hunger will most likely continue against Czechia.
However, Spain’s occasional defensive problems this season continue to resurface from time to time. In the goal they conceded against Croatia, a lack of communication between Pau Cubarsí and Dean Huijsen allowed Dion Beljo to find himself completely unmarked and finish Ivan Perišić’s cross. Something similar happened with England’s second goal in the previous match, when Harry Kane was left completely free to meet Nico O’Reilly’s cross. These mistakes are not discussed much because of Spain’s dominant attacking performances, but they should not be underestimated. They are the kind of defensive issues that could give almost any opponent a chance to score against Spain. It will be interesting to see whether those weaknesses have any impact on the scoreline against Czechia, the weakest team in the group.
Czechia were once one of the most difficult national teams to face, but they have declined significantly since losing their golden generation. They produced a very poor performance at the most recent World Cup, finishing bottom of their group with just one point. Immediately after their elimination, Patrik Schick announced his retirement from international football, one of the most demoralizing developments for Czechia’s attacking line.
Santi Denia, who replaced Miroslav Koubek after the World Cup, is trying to introduce a new and courageous style of play, but Czechia have also made a poor start to the Nations League in a difficult group. They lost their home matches against Croatia and England, scoring only once while conceding four goals. As if that were not enough, they are without seven players through injury: Tomáš Chorý, David Jurásek, Lukáš Provod, Denis Višinský, Tomáš Vlček, David Zima, and Tomáš Souček. Is that all? No… Pavel Šulc is suspended, Adam Karabec has an ankle problem, and Vladimír Coufal’s condition is also being monitored.
So many negative developments arriving at once have severely limited the options available to the newly appointed Santi Denia. Although Denia has emphasized the positive and developmental aspects of facing strong opponents, an away match against Spain could prove extremely difficult and punishing for Czechia.
With their relaxed, confident, and relentless style, Spain will once again look for a high-scoring victory against a Czechia side going through a difficult period and will want to entertain their supporters. If Czechia can exploit Spain’s defensive weaknesses and contribute to the scoreline, the match could become even more entertaining.
Prediction
Over 2.5 Goals