Premier League
5 takeaways from Friday's action at Euro 2020
One year later, Euro 2020 is finally underway. At the end of every matchday, we’ll be dissecting the biggest talking points from all the action. Below, we look back on Friday’s games.
Pickford spotless in stalemate with Scotland
First-choice England ‘keeper Jordan Pickford has a not-unwarranted reputation as the team’s weakest link, largely thanks to numerous blunders at both the club and international level.
Against Scotland, Pickford was one of England’s sharpest contributors. The Everton No. 1 arguably made the save of the tournament on the half-hour mark when he dove to prevent Stephen O’Donnell’s deft volley from bounding into the far bottom corner. How Pickford spotted the pinpoint effort through tower blocks of legs before diving to his right is some wonder.
Pickford also looked confident when he got a commanding glove to an incisive Billy Gilmour cross as Scotland was in the ascension minutes before the interval, and he replicated that with a similar clearance on a probing corner in the 64th minute amid a period of pressure for the hosts.
Pickford’s distribution was also spot on, with the best of the lot a bending 60-yard ball that found Raheem Sterling in stride.
Major tournaments have a habit of turning Robin Olsens into Lev Yashins, so why not let Pickford have a turn? A stretch of assured performances from the Three Lions ‘keeper certainly can’t hurt their chances.
Scotland more than just a ‘brave’ side
Praise often takes the shape of a backhanded compliment whenever Scotland – or any other British side outside of England – manages to get a result against a better and bigger side. It’s always about Scotland’s bravery, its never-say-die attitude, and its blood, sweat, and tears, even in defeat.
But the national team displayed more than just guts in Friday’s goalless draw against England. With calmness and confidence in midfield, encouraging buildup play, and a number of legitimate scoring chances and convincing passing sequences, the Scottish outplayed their English rivals and deserved more than the point they received.
Twenty-year-old Gilmour, making his first start for Scotland at the senior level, showed more enterprise and personality than any of England’s midfielders, and his relentless energy caused his opponents significant issues. Che Adams’ holdup play as one of Scotland’s two target men allowed his teammates enough time to join the attack, and on the wings, O’Donnell and Andy Robertson pushed forward with intent. Goalkeeper David Marshall, usually one of Scotland’s busiest players, had just a single save to make, such were England’s struggles to turn possession into anything meaningful.
Head coach Steve Clarke made the necessary adjustments after Scotland’s opening loss to the Czech Republic, bringing in Gilmour and Adams, and with better finishing, the Tartan Army would’ve celebrated a historic win. At the very least, they can take solace in an incredible, well-drilled performance predicated on more than the usual cliches.
Kane looks a shadow of his former self
If Pickford’s been a pleasant surprise for England, Harry Kane’s two performances in Group D have been the complete opposite.
Euro 2020 was supposed to be Kane’s time in the shop window amid links with England’s biggest clubs. Instead, it’s been a reminder that the Tottenham star has played a lot of football amid countless ankle injuries. In the 0-0 draw with Scotland, the 27-year-old’s movements were glacial.
Major spoiler alert here, but Gareth Southgate’s game management is not his strong suit. However, that doesn’t mean the decision to take off his best attacking player on the day (Phil Foden) shortly after the hour mark and not Kane – or even Raheem Sterling, who was also poor – was any easier to digest.
By the time he was hauled off in the 74th minute for Marcus Rashford, Kane had completed seven passes and registered two shots, both of which failed to find the target. Over 156 minutes played against Croatia and Scotland, Kane has completed 17 passes and manufactured just three efforts off target. Woeful stuff for a player who looks in need of a break.
It’d be a shame to waste all of England’s vibrant and energetic attackers on an out-of-form striker whose qualities are better suited for a system that manufactures more service for a center forward. Perhaps Southgate might give Dominic Calvert-Lewin a chance. Probably not.
Kulusevski’s absence looms large for Sweden
Sweden are all but certain to progress to the round of 16 after a narrow 1-0 win over Slovakia. It wasn’t an easy watch, especially during a first half that was a clash of ponderous defensive-minded schemes. It was arguably the worst match of the tournament thus far.
The victory was the Swedes’ sixth clean sheet in seven competitive matches this year, but it’s difficult to see them being a test for any opposition during the knockout stage unless the nation can generate better attacking chances.
Sweden’s attack is essentially Alexander Isak or nothing at all. Isak completed the most passes in the final third (23), most touches in the opposition’s box (eight), most take-ons (six), and he registered the most shots (four) on Friday in St. Petersburg. His take-on total was reflective of a striker dropping too deep due to a lack of creativity in the midfield behind him.
Dejan Kulusevski could be the solution. Kulusevski missed Sweden’s opener after contracting COVID-19 and was an unused substitute against Slovakia. The Juventus stud is capable of playing on the wing or in a more central role, and the 21-year-old is a talented dribbler who’s adept at making progressive runs into dangerous attacking positions.
Those qualities have been desperately missed throughout Sweden’s opening two matches, and Janne Andersson would be wise to start Kulesevski in the group closer against Poland and beyond.
Perisic shines as Croatia’s major tournament specialist
There’s a certain inevitability to Ivan Perisic’s trademark goal. Like the left-sided version of Arjen Robben, Perisic marauds down the flank before manufacturing enough space to cut inside and release a right-footed effort on target.
Unsurprisingly, Perisic did exactly that in a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic to boost Croatia’s chances of progressing from Group D. The Inter Milan winger only seems to score massive goals for Croatia. Some wither under the spotlight, but Perisic does the opposite.
Perisic is now one of three European players to score a goal in four successive major tournaments, joining Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku. And he’s just one of two players to either score or provide an assist in each of the last five major tournaments (Ronaldo is the other).
There’s no escaping that this Croatia side seems like a spent force when compared to the team that progressed to the 2018 World Cup final, but don’t tell Perisic that. His work both in attack and when tracking back to provide cover for his past-their-prime countrymen was the difference on Friday.
Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Premier League
Breaking down thrilling EPL title race with 10 games left
Find the biggest stories from across the soccer world by visiting our Top Soccer News section and subscribing to push notifications.
One of the most intoxicating title races in Premier League history is, mercifully, ready to resume.
The quirks of the calendar – an FA Cup weekend succeeded by an agonizing international window – means the titanic tussle between Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City will have been on hiatus for a full three weeks before it gets back underway on Sunday.
But there are no more impending interruptions. With 10 matches remaining for each title contender, we’re barreling toward a resolution to the type of three-way battle that’s exceedingly rare in England’s top flight. There’s never been a season in the Premier League era where three teams went into the final day with a chance to hoist the trophy. This could be it. The last time it happened was the 1971-72 campaign, when Derby County won an incredible four-team fight, narrowly beating Leeds United and, ominously, Liverpool and Man City to the crown. We’re overdue for that kind of drama.
That three sides have converged this way at all is, frankly, remarkable.
These are the three best teams in the country by an enormous margin. They’re the only ones with an expected goal difference per game of plus-1.0 or greater this season. The next best mark, surprisingly, belongs to Mauricio Pochettino’s erratic Chelsea team at plus-0.36. So, yeah, it’s not close.
The three of them are also on a tear and show no signs of slowing down. Arsenal have won all eight of their league games in 2024, scoring 33 goals in the process; Liverpool have collected 22 of a possible 27 points in that time; reigning champions Manchester City have racked up 23 of 27 points. They’ve combined for just one loss since the calendar flipped – Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat against Arsenal in early February.
The only sides that look capable of halting their progress are each other, which makes this weekend’s clash between Manchester City and Arsenal at the Etihad all the more significant.
Each contender has a compelling reason for believing it’s “their” year.
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s men look far more assured and mature than last season when they set the pace for nearly the entire campaign, only to crumble down the stretch and relinquish their once sizeable advantage to Manchester City. Do-it-all superstar Declan Rice has been a transformative figure in midfield, while Kai Havertz, after an inauspicious start, is becoming an increasingly vital and consistent scoring threat. At least from the outside, there appears to be more self-belief within the Arsenal camp. Having learned from their experience in 2022-23, Arsenal won’t cede top spot so easily this time. It’ll need to be ripped from them.
Some may be inclined to dismiss their recent run because of their opponents. Yes, the Gunners have played some weak teams – Sheffield United! Burnley! Nottingham Forest! – but, for the most part, they aren’t just beating them; they’re blowing them away with a ruthlessness usually associated with title winners. For those still unconvinced, Sunday’s visit to the Etihad, where they were tossed aside like a rag doll in last season’s 4-1 loss, will be the ultimate litmus test to see if this team is ready to end the club’s 20-year title drought.
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp’s persistent squad, already with the League Cup in tow, aims to send off their departing bench boss in style. Liverpool have been the most entertaining team of the trio this season. They create more chances than Arsenal and City and concede more opportunities. Darwin Nunez, the ultimate agent of chaos on a football pitch, is the perfect fit for a team with a habit of scoring late goals and delivering dramatic moments. Their title charge is built on more than just vibes, though.
Liverpool overwhelmed none other than City in their last league game before the international break but came away from the pulsating affair at Anfield with a 1-1 draw. City, usually self-confident and domineering in possession, simply held on against what Pep Guardiola dubbed a “tsunami” of pressure. There was obviously some added incentive at play, but Liverpool are built to go full speed regardless of the opposition. It’s in their nature under Klopp.
Manchester City
Despite not being at its vintage best this term, Guardiola’s accomplished crew remains the favorite in the eyes of many who, for good reason, simply refuse to pick against them. We’ve been conditioned to feel like City will inevitably be the last team standing because, well, they usually are. Five titles in the previous six seasons will have that effect on the collective psyche. However, Erling Haaland isn’t replicating his ferocious scoring pace from last season, and Kevin De Bruyne has been limited to six league starts. Also, outside of some electrifying Jeremy Doku performances, the summer signings haven’t exactly set the world alight. And yet, here they are, just one point off the top, showing the quiet confidence and tranquility that can only be obtained through winning experiences.
With Phil Foden leading the way and authoring arguably the best season of anyone in the league, City could become the first team in English history to win four consecutive top-flight titles.
Strength of schedule
On paper, Arsenal have the most difficult fixture list.
Their remaining opponents average 41.8 points this season, roughly corresponding to ninth place in the table. Put another way, it would be the equivalent of playing Wolves (41 points) or Brighton (42) each week. It doesn’t help that many of Arsenal’s toughest matches are away from home. Coincidentally, they have upcoming trips to Brighton and Wolves, along with north London rivals Tottenham and Manchester United, following this weekend’s potentially decisive tilt at the Etihad. It’s tough.
Manchester City’s task is slightly more forgiving, as their remaining opponents average 40.7 points or 10th place.
Liverpool appear to have the most favorable schedule of the trophy chasers, with their opponents averaging 38.4 points, a tally representing the haul of a team in the bottom half of the table. While that’s better than the alternative, it’s not quite so simple for the Reds. On the back of a potentially draining Europa League quarterfinal second leg against Atalanta in mid-April – more on that soon – Klopp’s men have three away games in seven days against Fulham, Everton, and West Ham. In addition to battling their local nemesis, who could still be scrapping for survival at that point, Liverpool will also face a rambunctious Goodison crowd that would love nothing more than to play a critical role in stopping their hated rivals from winning another league crown.
Aston Villa and Spurs, meanwhile, stand out as common foes for all three title hopefuls. Sitting fourth and fifth, respectively, and engaged in their own fight to secure a Champions League place, they could play the role of kingmakers this spring.
European commitments
Balancing the mental and physical demands of domestic play with continental competition is a huge piece of this puzzle for all three teams. Midweek success can further galvanize a group, but taxing failures can cripple a team’s momentum at home.
Much like the domestic schedule, Liverpool seem to have an edge here. Arsenal and Manchester City will face European behemoths Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in a pair of mouthwatering Champions League quarterfinal ties beginning next month. However, Liverpool have a comparatively charitable Europa League encounter with Atalanta.
If they both advance, Arsenal and City will meet in the Champions League semifinals, an outcome that will surely be celebrated wildly on Merseyside.
How those games intermingle with the league schedule also matters. Liverpool play Crystal Palace and Fulham following their two matchups with the Italian outfit. After locking horns with Bayern, Arsenal have to contend with Aston Villa and Wolves. Manchester City, still active on three fronts as they seek a second consecutive treble, host lowly Luton after the first leg of their Real Madrid rematch and take on Chelsea in the FA Cup semifinals following the second leg.
Injury concerns
Liverpool have been plagued by injuries all season. Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, and Andy Robertson, among others, have missed varying amounts of time, though the bulk of that group is getting back to full fitness. Alisson Becker remains sidelined and might not return until mid-April. Defensive stalwart Virgil van Dijk is the only Liverpool player to garner over 2,000 league minutes this season, indicating how disruptive injuries have been for Klopp’s team. And yet, they persevere.
Five Manchester City players have cleared the 2,000-minute mark thus far, and a couple more are on the cusp. But the club was without De Bruyne for the entire first half of the season, while trips to the treatment room ravaged Jack Grealish’s year. City also got hit the hardest by the recent international break, with John Stones and Kyle Walker hurt on England duty and racing against time to recover for Sunday’s match versus Arsenal. Swiss defender Manuel Akanji is in the same boat, and Ederson’s return date from a thigh injury remains uncertain. Never shy about tweaking his lineup, Guardiola could be forced to tinker yet again.
Arsenal have been largely unscathed, with six players eclipsing 2,000 league minutes. William Saliba, whose absence last season played an outsize role in Arsenal’s capitulation, has been on the pitch for every second of league play in 2023-24. Gabriel Jesus has battled ailments all year, and Jurrien Timber suffered an ACL injury just 49 minutes into his Premier League debut in the season opener. But the Gunners will be hoping their relative good fortune on the injury front extends right through May, especially as it relates to Bukayo Saka, who pulled out of the England squad to nurse a minor muscular issue.
Prediction
First, a disclaimer: Luck will play a pivotal role in determining which team is crowned on May 19. Injuries will continue to be a factor. There will almost certainly be contentious refereeing and VAR decisions that favor and oppose the title challengers. There will also be finishing variance, with players missing seemingly easy chances and converting more difficult opportunities.
Impossible to predict? No matter. We’re not going to let that stop us.
Considering their advantageous schedule, at home and in Europe, along with their improving squad health at just the right time and the inescapable feeling that this is a team of destiny determined to send their beloved manager out on a high, we’re going with Liverpool, who’ll collect 88 points to pip their rivals and again interrupt Manchester City’s run of domestic dominance.
Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Premier League
Euro 2024 playoffs: Miraculous Ukraine comeback, big result for Wales
Find the biggest stories from across the soccer world by visiting our Top Soccer News section and subscribing to push notifications.
Wales, Greece, and Poland registered statement wins Thursday, joining three other teams in next Tuesday’s playoff finals for the three remaining places at Euro 2024.
Ukraine staged an incredible late comeback against Bosnia and Herzegovina in its semifinal to keep its Euro dream alive.
The highest-placed team in FIFA’s rankings that’s no longer in contention to reach the tournament in Germany is 60th-placed Finland.
Here’s how the playoff semifinals across Path A, B, and C played out.
Path A
Poland 5-1 Estonia
Estonia barely stood a chance. Down to 10 men as early as the 27th minute, the northern Europeans could only muster a consolation goal in a 5-1 loss to Poland. The Polish achieved the rout without Robert Lewandowski getting on the scoresheet and remain unbeaten in 21 Euro qualifiers at home, a magnificent run dating back to September 2006. Poland is trying to make up for a poor qualifying campaign in which it finished third in Group E, four points behind the Czech Republic and Albania. The country hasn’t missed the Euros since 2004.
Wales 4-1 Finland
The Red Wall might descend on Germany this summer. Wales’ raucous supporters have legitimate hopes of traveling to another major tournament after the Dragons scorched Finland without the retired Gareth Bale and with Aaron Ramsey, 33, on the bench after more injury problems. Teemu Pukki gave the visiting team some hope just before halftime following well-taken finishes from David Brooks and Neco Williams. But Wales needed just 73 seconds of the second period to restore its two-goal cushion via Brennan Johnson’s tap-in. Daniel James took advantage of a defensive error before rounding the goalkeeper in the 86th minute to give the host a resounding victory.
Playoff final: Wales vs. Poland, Tuesday 3:45 p.m. ET
Path B
Israel 1-4 Iceland
Iceland’s Albert Gudmundsson stole the show with an emphatic hat-trick against Israel on Thursday. His stunning free-kick into the top right corner canceled out Eran Zahavi’s opening goal for Israel, and he created a nice cushion for his country with a pair of markers in the final 10 minutes. Just before that, Zahavi blew an incredible opportunity to equalize the match at 2-2, missing a penalty awarded for handball against Iceland’s Gudmundur Thorarinsson. A red card to Israel’s Haim Revivo didn’t help the trailing side. Iceland is now a game away from making only its second-ever appearance at the Euros following its quarterfinal run in 2016.
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-2 Ukraine
Ukraine scored twice with just minutes remaining in regulation to snatch what seemed to be a sure victory from Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday. Bosnia controlled play for most of the match and took the lead in the 56th minute when Mykola Matviyenko turned in Amar Dedic’s shot into his own net. But a colossal defensive lapse cost the Bosnians a chance to make it a record four countries from the former Yugoslavia at Euro 2024. Roman Yaremchuk came off the bench to equalize in the 85th minute and teed up Artem Dovbyk’s sensational winning header three minutes later to turn the playoff semifinal on its head. Ukraine now faces Iceland with a third consecutive Euro appearance at stake.
Playoff final: Ukraine vs. Iceland, Tuesday 3:45 p.m. ET
Path C
Georgia 2-0 Luxembourg
Two clever finishes from Budu Zivzivadze in Tbilisi assured Georgia of a place in Path C’s final – and all without the help of suspended talisman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. But it wasn’t that simple for the host. Luxembourg thought it equalized during the second half, only for the goal to be eventually snatched away due to Maxime Chanot’s apparent foul 45 seconds earlier. Luxembourg’s Chanot was controversially sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, and Zivzivadze effectively ended the match six minutes later with his second strike. Kvaratskhelia is available for the final.
Greece 5-0 Kazakhstan
Anastasios Bakasetas lashed home a penalty, Dimitrios Pelkas headed into the net’s roof, Fotis Ioannidis tapped in from close range, and Dimitrios Kourbelis added another header. And that was all before halftime. Kazakhstan’s impressive 2022-23 Nations League campaign and notable Euro 2024 qualifying wins over Denmark, Northern Ireland (twice), and Finland suddenly seemed ages ago, as Greece recorded its biggest halftime lead since October 1978 (5-0 against Finland). Aleksandr Marochkin’s embarrassing own goal in the 85th minute made Kazakhstan’s day even worse.
Playoff final: Georgia vs. Greece, Tuesday 1:00 p.m. ET
Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Premier League
Look: Nike unveils beautiful kit selection for Euro 2024, Copa America
Find the biggest stories from across the soccer world by visiting our Top Soccer News section and subscribing to push notifications.
Nike released a stunning batch of threads ahead of Euro 2024 and Copa America on Monday.
Days after Adidas launched its lineup for the summer’s top two tournaments, Nike followed suit with an array of colorful designs.
The U.S. manufacturer also announced redesigns for Canada and Poland, even though they’ve yet to qualify for their respective tournaments. The Canucks face Trinidad and Tobago in a one-off Copa America qualifier on Saturday, while Poland must navigate a four-team playoff to reach Euro 2024.
(All images courtesy of Nike)
Euro 2024
Croatia
Home
The square-shaped design that gives Croatia its unique look gets a slight upgrade. The home shirt features larger squares than ever before.
Away
Croatia’s away shirt plays on the national flag, with the traditional checkered pattern now on a slant.
England
Home
Influenced by England’s 1966 training gear, the home shirt has a classic feel with a rich blue collar and gorgeous trim along the cuffs.
Away
England embraces a deep purple hue for its away selection. The crest stands out with a contrasting off-white tint that makes the three lions pop.
France
Home
France’s home shirt may have the biggest crest of all of Nike’s offerings. The oversized rooster defines this shirt as much as the royal blue that’s made France’s kits a crowd-pleaser.
Away
The pinstripes mirror the colors of France’s national flag and span the width of the shirt in a simple, yet elegant design.
Netherlands
Home
Nike could’ve offered anything orange here, and it would’ve been perfect. But the Netherlands has something bolder and better to wear. The zig-zag pattern adds edge.
Away
The orange collar and cuffs pop alongside the three shades of blue Nike has chosen to create the abstract design on this work of art.
Poland
Home
Poland dedicates premium real estate on the country’s home shirt to its imposing crest.
Away
Poland’s away shirt is a daring choice. The graphic treatment adds texture, giving it a rugged feel while separating from the red tones of years past.
Portugal
Home
With possibly the best home shirt in Nike’s collection, Portugal leans heavily into its traditional red-and-green motif with a polo collar and thick cuffs. The logo sits prominently as well. A smash hit.
Away
Here’s another winner. Portugal’s away strip has a stunning textile imprint that gives off a cool summer vibe.
Turkey
Home
This is a menacing look. Turkey will look like a whirring red army with these imposing shirts.
Away
The classic red band returns to Turkey’s away uniform. Like the others, it features an oversized crest in the middle of the shirt.
Copa America
Brazil
Home
Nike goes big with Brazil’s crest and adds an intricate design to the same yellow hue the Selecao have used for decades.
Away
Brazil’s secondary strip feels like the beach. A horizontal wavy pattern covering the entire shirt mimics the country’s picturesque coastline.
Canada
Home
The only blemish in Nike’s lineup. Why is there a circle around the swoosh? And why are the shoulders so much darker than the body? None of it makes sense.
Away
The 13 pinstripes are supposed to represent the 10 provinces and three territories that make up Canada. Unfortunately, the rest of the shirt looks incomplete.
United States
Home
The United States men’s national team gets a classic home shirt with patriotic detailing along the color and sleeves.
Away
The gradient works perfectly with the red shorts the U.S. will wear at the Copa America.
Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Breaking down thrilling EPL title race with 10 games left
Euro 2024 playoffs: Miraculous Ukraine comeback, big result for Wales
Managerial merry-go-round: Predicting hires for marquee jobs
The Champions League's best XI so far
35 stars who will define the summer transfer window
Ajax show Juventus that winning requires more than individual quality
-
Champions League6 years agoThe Champions League's best XI so far
-
Serie A6 years ago35 stars who will define the summer transfer window
-
Serie A6 years agoAjax show Juventus that winning requires more than individual quality
-
Uncategorized4 years agoIFFHS publishes the list of top scorers in football history – Romario first, Ronaldo third
-
Sports5 years agoReady Newest Trainer in Bundesliga History, retire SOLSKYER.
-
Premier League6 years agoTransfer grades: Assessing Hazard’s move to Real Madrid
-
Sports5 years agoWenger: Hazard can’t replace Ronaldo.
-
Sports5 years agoMastur Talent Returns: In Milan I was a chance to make money, penalized me for growing up as a footballer.