Nations League: Chance For England To Make Statement

 England may not erase 53 years of hurt here in Portugal as they prepare to start
their campaign in the inaugural Uefa Nations League finals - but this is the
chance for manager Gareth Southgate and his players to make a powerful
statement before next summer's Euro 2020.
It is stretching reality to put this new tournament in the same stratosphere as
the true showpieces of the sport such as the World Cup and European
Championships.
This is a four-team format in two locations in Porto and Guimaraes, features
England, hosts Portugal, the Netherlands and Switzerland and will be done and
dusted in only five days. It is still a tournament that matters.
England face the fast-improving Netherlands in Guimaraes on Thursday, victory
required to ensure the anti-climax of a play-off before Sunday's final.
And, while this is a competition in its infancy, it has already proved vital for
Southgate and England and will offer even more benefits if they can fly home
with the trophy. These can be days of significance and meaning.
So just how important is the Nations League for England as Southgate's squad
bring the curtain down on a thrilling 12 months?
England would love a silver lining
The tournament has had its critics, some regarding it as a needless intrusion at
the conclusion of a packed season, with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp
calling it "the most senseless competition" in world football.
Do not tell that to Southgate or his players, even those from Liverpool and
Tottenham who may still be recovering from the physical and mental exertions
of Saturday's Champions League final in Madrid.
This time last year England were making final World Cup preparations before
heading to their Russian base at Repino on the Gulf of Finland before a month
that brought a surprise run to within 90 minutes of their first final since 1966 as
well as a display of spirit and unity that allowed the nation to fall in love with
their football team and its manager again.
The Nations League - initially decried by some including this observer - has
changed many minds with the introduction of a competitive edge that added
weight to England's 3-2 win in Sevilla in October, their first away win over
Spain in 31 years, then the drama of the late win against World Cup conquerors
Croatia at Wembley that brought them to Portugal.

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