The second year of the European version of the League of Nations will culminate on Sunday evening, Spain will face Spain in France and the duel will not have a clear favorite. The winner on the throne will replace the premier champions from Portugal.
Under the leadership of Didier Deschamps, France is one of the best teams on the planet and also won the title of world champion, but this year it did not succeed as planned. First came the imminent crash at the European Championships and in September the hesitation in qualifying to advance to the tournament in Qatar. Draws with Bosnia and Ukraine were definitely not planned and mean complications, the League of Nations can play an even more important role.
Even here, France did not succeed for a long time. In Thursday’s semifinals against Belgium, she lost by two goals before a big turn came. After an hour of play, Karim reduced Benzem, Kylian Mbappý’s equalized penalty resulted in a penalty, and Theo Hernández decided at the very end.
“It’s one of the best wins. Thanks to how we achieved it and thanks to the quality of the opponent. Despite the unfavorable fate, we showed pride and character and we turned the match around. It’s a great moment.” he praised Deschamps on Thursday night.
“We played badly in the last half of the first half, but as we added to the aggression, it was a different story. The players on the break were at the bottom, but because they gave Belgium a chance to score two goals. Then they showed pride and character.” added.
France lost N’Gol Kanté before the tournament in Italy, who had a positive test for covid-19, for the same reason Adrien Rabiot has now dropped out of the team. Antoine Griezmann will play the jubilee 100th match for the national team on Sunday evening and will hope to change the established situation. France is failing against Spain and has won only one of the last seven matches, in five cases it even left defeated and did not score a goal.
“I saw a very strong Spain. Tired of Italy, controlled the ball and deservedly won. Luis Enrique continues the work of his predecessors. ‘La Roja’ can dominate as a team and individually. “Hold the ball more and gain the upper hand. It will be a different match than against Belgium.” Deschamps weaves plans for a decisive match.
Spain’s coach Luis Enrique had problems with the attack, as Álvaro Morata and Gerard Moreno dropped out of his plans due to injuries. In the end, their absences were not known in the semifinals against Italy, as Ferrán Torres appeared in the basic line-up and took care of both goals. Leonardo Bonucci complicated everything for the home team with his exclusion, and Lorenzo Pellegrini sang the swan song shortly before the end.
“If we give a similar performance on Sunday as against Italy, we can beat France as well. It will be difficult, but we want to succeed and win the trophy,” says striker Mikel Oyarzabal clearly.
The coaches of both finalists caused a minor uproar on Thursday when they published the basic sets. The Hernández brothers appeared in the French side, and the midfielder Gavi got the chance on the Spanish side. At the age of seventeen and 62 days, the talent from the Academy of Barcelona became the youngest representative of his country in history.
“Watching him is a pleasure, both because of his qualities and his personality.” praised his charge Enrique. “Age is just a number. If you play well, it doesn’t matter how old you are. The most important thing is the post on the lawn and it doesn’t matter if you’re 17 or 37,” said another midfielder, Koke, to the address of his younger colleague.
The final match will be played at San Sir in Milan, with the participation of a delegation from England. Anthony Taylor was delegated as the main judge.
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