Before Thomas Tuchel takes office as coach in January, England no longer has the right to make mistakes in the Nations League.
The Three Lions will have to win at all costs on Thursday in Greece if they intend to move up to League A.
Two rounds from the end of the group stage and a month after their home defeat against the Greeks (2-1), England’s direct return to the elite of the Nations League is far from guaranteed . The duel in Athens is therefore of paramount importance for interim coach Lee Carsley’s men, who will then host Ireland on Sunday.
Italy in pole position
In League A, only Germany and Spain have already secured their ticket to the quarter-finals. Italy, France and Belgium are competing for two tickets to the final phase in Group 2. The Italians, undefeated, are in pole position and still need a victory in the duels that remain to be played against their competitors direct Thursday (against Belgium) and Sunday (against France).
Didier Deschamps’ France, without Kylian Mbappé for the second international break in a row, is second with five points ahead of Belgium and one behind the Squadra Azzurra. The Blues can qualify from Thursday in the event of a home victory against Israel.
Portugal almost qualified
The Netherlands have only collected five points in four matches but qualification is still possible for Ronald Koeman’s squad, who face Hungary on Saturday in a decisive match in Group 3. Finally, qualification should not escape the Portugal, at the top of group 1 with three points ahead of Croatia and six over Poland.
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Swiss
