Nations League Good or Bad ?

[MillionMilesAway]

Does it have a point, other than arranging more balanced friendliest?

Benefits include:
a route for a group's 3rd (or even 4th) place side to make the finals; useful if in a horror group
a route for the lowest ranked sides to make a finals tournament
balanced games so the bottom ranked sides aren't just a goal difference generator
presumably removes the option of massaging world ranking by not playing friendlies (Wales/Switzerland have done this; friendlies pretty much always reduce the overall ranking)

Clearly these are not all equally attractive to all teams, but they are beneficial to some countries.
It does give a better chance that Scotland will qualify while also hosting matches at Euro 2020.

 

[Henkeman]

I quite like it. Friendlies are pointless, and this provides strong opposition in a competitive context. Especially given how now WC/EC qualifying is made so much easier with every country on the planet bar Scotland qualifying for the finals.

It's a new thing, it'll take time to bed in, and it does seem needlessly complex. But overall, good on them for trying something out.

 

[Blue Til Death]

I just can’t see past the negative aspect of any form of international football in terms of City players coming back injured, especially in friendlies.
It may be just me and my cynicism but it seems to me that international football is losing its appeal to the average football fan, even the players don’t seem that arsed about it these days.. !

 

[Henkeman]

I just can’t see past the negative aspect of any form of international football in terms of City players coming back injured, especially in friendlies.
It may be just me and my cynicism but it seems to me that international football is losing its appeal to the average football fan, even the players don’t seem that arsed about it these days.. !

Did you somehow completely miss the World Cup this summer with its 25million plus TV audiences and England players excited and loving it throughout?

 

[aguero93:20]

Did you somehow completely miss the World Cup this summer with its 25million plus TV audiences and England players excited and loving it throughout?

I think he's referring to the overlong qualification groups and sheer number of pointless friendlies. Everyone loves the WC and the Euros. See my post on page 1.

 

[Sir peace frog]

weve just had a world cup ,there are no proper international tournaments for 2 years , waste of fucking time and energy, as for this new format same shit different name.

 

[SpiritofBurnden]

I still have not understood the modus.

Four pools A, B, C and D.

Four groups within each pool.

Winners of B, C and D groups promoted.

Bottom teams in A, B and C groups relegated.

Four group winners in pool A contest the semi-finals, third place play-off and final.

If any team finishing top or best placed second hasn't already qualified for Euro 2020, they play-off for a place at the tournament.

 

[SpiritofBurnden]

Nice trophy!

 

[taleofbluehalves]

Not bothered really.

 

[SpiritofBurnden]

It's better than friendlies, at least there's a trophy at the end of it.

The only other solution is to scrap friendlies altogether and just play qualifying games for Euros or World Cup in international breaks.

However that would mean the lower ranked nations would never get anywhere near a major tournament, at least this gives them some hope.