Group A4 consists of Germany and Spain – the two teams that will make up the opening fixture for this UEFA Nations League season. Switzerland, who managed to reach the final four of the 2018/19 Nations League after a sensational 5-2 win against Belgium after being 2-0 down. Ukraine, who exceeded everyone’s expectations in Euro 2020 qualifying, winning their group and defeating Portugal quite comfortably. This article will be predicting Group 4 of UEFA Nations League A.
Predicting Group 4 of UEFA Nations League A
Has Germany Risen Again?
Germany’s performances at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and 2018/19 UEFA Nations League left a great deal to be desired. Die Mannschaft infamously lost to Mexico and South Korea, being eliminated in the group stage as a result. They weren’t much better in the Nations League, even though they had tougher opponents in France and the Netherlands. Drawing 0-0 and 2-2 with Le Bleus and the Dutch respectively on home soil and losing 2-1 and 3-0 away.
The Germans did win their Euro 2020 qualification group, though. Two points ahead of the Dutch team who proved too big of an obstacle for them in the last Nations League season. Counterintuitively, die Mannschaft won 3-2 away against Oranje but lost 4-2 in Hamburg. One fixture is not solid evidence for a consistently good German team, but they played great even in the match they lost. Nowhere near the 3-0 disaster in 2018. Not to mention they won their group. This is indicative of some improvements. Although, one should be careful not to draw major conclusions.
Spain
Spain’s 2018 World Cup was, although not a complete disaster like for Germany, disappointing. Losing on penalties to hosts Russia in the round of 16. Their 2018/19 Nations League story follows a similar pattern of not having the margins on their side.
After defeating England 2-1 at Wembley La Furia Roja demolished Croatia 6-0 in Elche. However, they lost both return fixtures 3-2. Had it not been for a 93rd-minute Croatian goal, Spain would’ve qualified for the Nations League Finals then and there. Despite the late Croatian winner, all hope was not yet lost for La Furia Roja. If England failed to defeat Croatia, Spain would qualify anyway. It was not meant to be, though. England won 2-1 despite Kramaric giving Croatia the lead in the 57th minute.
Spain won their group in European Qualifiers with relative ease. It was a competitive group that, among others, featured infamous giant-killers Sweden and a rising Norway managed by Lars Lagerbäck with two emerging superstars. The Spaniards 1-1 draws against Sweden and Norway is indicative of how capable the two Scandinavian nations are rather than evidence of Spain being weak.
Spain and Germany are indistinguishable at this time. They have an equal chance to win the group.
European Qualifiers Bode Well for Ukraine
Ukraine outperformed Switzerland in European Qualifiers, going undefeated. The Yellow and Blue obtained 20 points, demolishing Serbia 5-0 and comfortably securing a 2-1 win against Portugal on their way to first place. Switzerland also won their group – with 17 points. But with more hassle than Ukraine experienced. They bottled a 3-0 lead against Denmark, lost 1-0 against them in Copenhagen and dropped points against the Republic of Ireland. For comparison, Ukraine drew two games. One away against reigning Nations League champions Portugal and another against Serbia when first place was already guaranteed.
It might seem odd to view Switzerland as being worse than Ukraine. After all, they’re a team we’re used to seeing in the round of 16 at World Cups. Not to mention they finished fourth in the last Nations League season. Meanwhile, Ukraine has not made it to the knockout stage of a major tournament since the 2006 World Cup. But things change. We may very well be witnessing a paradigm shift before our very eyes.
Given the available information and recent performances, Ukraine has to be favored over Switzerland. Shevchenko has done a superb job.
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