UEFA Nations League matchday 4: what to watch out for | UEFA Nations League

We are now halfway through the competition phase of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League and the fourteen groups are starting to take shape.

UEFA.com takes a look at some of the biggest storylines ahead of the fourth round.

Complete schedule

Match day 4 matches of League A

Monday October 14th
A2 Belgium vs France
A2 Italy vs Israel
A3 Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Hungary
A3 Germany vs Netherlands

Tuesday October 15
A1 Poland vs Croatia
A1 Scotland vs Portugal
A4 Spain vs Serbia
A4 Switzerland vs Denmark

All showtimes 20:45 CET

Belgium is aiming for a reversal of fortune against France

Belgium kept themselves within reach of first place thanks to a 2-2 draw with Italy and can surpass fourth matchday opponents France in Group A2 by beating Didier Deschamps’ side in Brussels. To do that they will have to tick off the list of improvements that Domenico Tedesco outlined when they lost the reverse fixture 2-0 in September. “In the beginning we had intensity, but then we lost a little bit of our edge,” said the Belgian coach. “We didn’t defend on the front foot. We weren’t patient enough. We had them, but then we started taking too many risks.”

France were a fine 4-1 winner in Israel last time out and Deschamps may continue to have faith in his talented youngsters for this. “Two players who came on, Mattéo Guendouzi and Bradley Barcola, made the difference,” he said. “I have a team that is a lot younger due to the recent retirement of Antoine Griezmann and the loss of Kylian Mbappe. These types of games allow them to progress.”

The Netherlands plays against Germany without Van Dijk

Two European giants meet again on Monday, as Germany and the Netherlands look to go one better than the entertaining 2-2 draw they played in Amsterdam in September. Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav scored for Germany on the day and added a double in the 2-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Matchday 3 as Julian Nagelsmann’s side reached seven points in the group. “We are having fun in the squad, everyone likes each other and there is a good atmosphere,” Undav said recently, and the Netherlands will have to be at the top to keep him and the rest of Germany’s confident and dangerous attacking line quiet . .

The Dutch will have to do without talismanic central defender Virgil van Dijk, who is suspended after being sent off for two yellow cards in the 1-1 draw against Hungary on Friday. Fellow defender Denzel Dumfries, who scored the equalizer with a neat header, could be in line to take the captaincy from Van Dijk in Munich, and the right-back received praise from his coach Ronald Koeman, who said: ” Denzel is certainly a symbol of the tenacity of this team. He will save us tonight.” Dumfries, who always seems to shine on the biggest stage, could play a big role again.

Ronaldo seems to be able to continue running

There isn’t much new to say about Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo’s phenomenal international scoring record, but remarkably the veteran shows no signs of slowing down. The 39-year-old’s goal in the 3-1 victory over Poland on Matchday 3 was his 133rd in total for his country, and he has now scored in each of the Seleção’s 2024/25 Nations League matches, having topped Group A1 stands. “Cristiano is an asset; he is an incredible player,” beamed coach Roberto Martínez. “In front of goal he is very important and gives the team more chances because he is very clever in opening spaces.”

Attempting to stop Ronaldo will be a Scotland team who can consider themselves unlucky having lost all three games in the section so far despite scoring four times. After their latest 2-1 defeat to Croatia, coach Steve Clarke said defiantly: “The performance was good; we played well and created chances, but I’m disappointed we didn’t get any of them. I think we have to keep it up.” believe and keep going. Things will change.” Will the fortunes of the Tartan army turn in Glasgow?

Elsewhere

• Fresh from a first-ever win over England, Greece will look to maintain its 100% record in Group B2 by beating the Republic of Ireland again on Sunday.
• After becoming his country’s all-time top scorer on Matchday 3, Erling Haaland will be hoping to lead Norway to a second success in Group B3 against Austria. They would be six points ahead of their opponents with two to play if they succeed.
• Wales’ Brennan Johnson will look to score for club and country for the eighth straight game when the Tottenham winger hosts Montenegro. Wales want to maintain their unbeaten run in Group B4 (W1 D2).
• Andrej Kramarić, who scored in Croatia’s 2-1 win over Scotland on Saturday, will win his 100th cap for his country when he features in Vatreni’s away match against Poland.