"Fiery" Poljud awaits France

The final of the Nations League brings spectacular duels, the first matches of the quarterfinals are played tonight, the second legs are on Sunday.

At Poljud, the current runners-up of the Nations League, Croatia, have a tough task against the traditionally unpleasant France. Montenegro is also interested in the outcome of this match, as they will face the loser of this match in Group L of the World Cup qualifiers.

There will be other clashes as well, with Nations League champions Spain playing the Netherlands at De Kijp in Rotterdam, Denmark hosting Portugal in Copenhagen, and Italy hosting Germany in Milan. The quarter-final winners will play the final four in June.

Croatia has a negative record against the French, one win and three draws in 10 games played. In the event of a triumph, the "Fiery" would send Kylian Mbappe and company in Podgorica, and in the LN semifinals they would play against the better team from the two-legged tie between the Netherlands and Spain.

Eclipse Zlatko Dalić was defeated by Spain in the final of the Nations League last season on penalties (5:4). What the "fiery" can be encouraged by is that in their last duel they celebrated their only triumph against the "tricolor" at the "France" stadium, with a goal Luka Modrić for 1:0. The legendary Real midfielder will play his 185th match in the national team, although Dalić has problems due to the midfielder's absence. Luka Sučić i Lovra Majer, and the attacker was also injured Igor Matanovic.

On the other hand, Didier Deschamps has a complete team at his disposal, and Kylian Mbappe is also returning to the team. Deschamps has been leading the "Gallic Roosters" for 13 years, with 105 wins in 165 games.

- We have already won the Nations League and we know how important that trophy is. That is our goal, but first we have to give everything to eliminate Croatia and be in the final four. We have a lot of options, and that's it. Ousmane Dembele He scores and is full of confidence, maybe some of my players are a little more tired. They have had a lot of games. I have respect for Croatia, so it's Ciro Blazevic "I put on the captain's armband when I was only 19 years old," the 56-year-old Deschamps recalled today from Nantes.

Croats are traditionally unpredictable and incredibly combative in a jersey with the national emblem. The atmosphere at Poljud in Split, where they don't play often, has a special electricity and the crowd will be a great asset for Dalić's team.

- The French have their own style, strong transition and punish every mistake. They are one of the best national teams in the world. We have to stay strong in defense and not lose the ball easily. After we lose the ball, we have to win it quickly or form a block quickly. I am close to choosing the squad, we have to know that there are two games in three days and that we have nine players with yellow cards. We have a great desire to be in the final four again - Dalić emphasized.

The winner of the Croatia-France double-header will advance to Group D of the World Cup qualifiers, where Ukraine, Iceland and Azerbaijan are. The loser will go to our Group L, where, in addition to Montenegro, the Czech Republic, the Faroe Islands and Gibraltar are.

And the Spanish are traditionally uncomfortable with the "tulips", half of the 12 games went to the Netherlands, with two draws. However, Spain Luis de la Fuente has forgotten what it feels like to lose - they are on a 15-game unbeaten streak, with 14 wins.

It's a classic at the San Siro - Italy welcomes Germany. Out of 37 matches, the Azzurri have won 15, with 12 draws and Germany winning 10 times (once on penalties). However, Italy has been without a triumph against its great rival for almost 13 years.

Portugal finished their group in the Nations League A without defeat, winning ahead of Croatia. Cristiano Ronaldo will wear the "Selesa" jersey for the 218th time, while the Danish captain will Pjer-Emil Hojbjerg missed the home match at “Parken” due to injury. Out of 15 matches, Portugal won 11, but also the last three. The Danes won twice and drew three. Denmark was second in the group, behind Spain and ahead of Serbia.

Serbia at Ernst Happel to survive in the elite

The UEFA Nations League is being played for the final four, but today there are also important matches that will decide survival in the elite group or relegation to the lower divisions of UEFA's youngest representative competition.

Serbia will compete with Austria for a place in Division A, with the first match tonight at 20.45:18 PM in Vienna at the Ernst Happel Stadium. The return match is at the Rajko Mitić Stadium on Sunday at XNUMX PM.

The same goal - A League of Nations, and at the same time of 20.45:18 PM, will be Greece against Scotland and Ukraine in a doubleheader with Belgium, while Turkey will play against Hungary at XNUMX PM.

The remaining play-off matches will also be played, so Georgia and Armenia will play for survival in the B League of Nations - the winners, or a move to Division C - the losers, from 18 pm, and from 20.45:XNUMX pm, Kosovo will compete for the same goal against Iceland, Slovenia against Slovakia, and Bulgaria against the Republic of Ireland.