CONFIRMED LINEUPS
Germany (4-2-3-1):
Neuer | RUDIGER, Boateng, Hummels, Kimmich | Kroos, Ginter | Reus, Muller, Goretzka | Werner
France (4-2-3-1):
Areola | Hernandez, Umtiti, Varane, Pavard | KANTE, Pogba | Matuidi, Griezmann, Mbappe | GIROUD
Croatia (4-2-3-1):
Kalinic | Karisic, Vida, M.Mitrovic, Vrsaljko | KOVACIC, Badelj | Perisic, Modric, Pjaca | Livaja
Wales (4-2-3-1):
Hennessey | Davies, Mepham, Williams, Roberts | AMPADU, Allen | Brooks, Ramsey, Lawrence | Bale
Czech Republic (3-5-2):
Vaclik | Brabec, Gebre Selassie, KALAS | Boril, Husbauer, Sykora, Soucek, Kaderabek | Krmencik, Schick
UEFA’s newfangled Nations League kicks off today. If you need a refresher about these glorified friendlies, be sure to watch the video at the top. In theory, it should create more “interesting” and “meaningful” international games outside of the major tournaments, but we’ll see if that actual proves to be the case.
That idea will be put to the for the first time over the next week or so, as teams start “group” play in their assigned Nations League group.
There will be no shortage of Chelsea players involved, starting with today’s marquee matchup in Group 1 of League A between Germany and France (the third team in this group is the Netherlands; they’re stuck playing a friendly against Peru). France are of course the defending 2018 World Champions, while Germany are in rebuilding mode. World Cup runners-up Croatia are also playing, they face Portugal, albeit only in a meaningless friendly (as opposes to the semi-meaningful Nations League kind).
Meanwhile, England U21 will be in action as well, plus Wales take on Ireland and 17-year-old Ethan Ampadu has a chance to feature.
GERMANY vs. FRANCE (Nations League)
Who: Antonio Rüdiger (25 caps) vs. Olivier Giroud (81), N’Golo Kanté (31)
Date / Time: Thursday, September 6, 2018; 19:45 BST; 2:45pm EDT
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy)
On TV: Sky Sports Football (UK); ESPN2, UniMás (USA); elsewhere
Online: Sky Go (UK); WatchESPN (USA)
PORTUGAL vs. CROATIA (Friendly)
Who: Mateo Kovačić (46)
Date / Time: Thursday, September 6, 2018; 19:45 BST; 2:45pm EDT
Venue: Estádio Algarve, Loulé, Portugal
Referee: Javier Estrada (Spain)
On TV: none (UK/USA); elsewhere
Online: ESPN+ (USA)
WALES vs. IRELAND (Friendly)
Who: Ethan Ampadu (2)
Date / Time: Thursday, September 6, 2018; 19:45 BST; 2:45pm EDT
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales
Referee: Clément Turpin (France)
On TV: Sky Sports Main Event (UK); none (USA); elsewhere
Online: Sky Go (UK); ESPN+ (USA)
CZECH REPUBLIC vs. UKRAINE (Nations League)
Who: Tomáš Kalas (14)
Date / Time: Thursday, September 6, 2018; 19:45 BST; 2:45pm EDT
Venue: Stadion Miroslava Valenty, Uherské Hradiště, Czech Republic
Referee: Anthony Taylor (England)
On TV: Sky Sports Red Button (UK); none (USA); elsewhere
Online: Sky Go (UK); ESPN+ (USA)
ENGLAND U21 vs. NETHERLANDS U21 (Euro U21 qualifying)
Who: Jake Clarke-Salter, Fikayo Tomori, Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham
Date / Time: Thursday, September 6, 2018; 19:45 BST; 2:45pm EDT
Venue: Carrow Road, Norwich, England
Referee: Roi Reinshreiber (Israel)
On TV: BT Sport 1 (UK); none (USA); elsewhere
Online: B/R Live (USA)